Moving to Doha
Hi guys,
I am new to this forum and just fishing for some greatly needed advice.
I am in the process of final selection for a permanent position in Doha working in medicine/healthcare.
The details of the post are not final as yet but I believe the offer so far is £70k GBP with benefits. This is a senior position within the oganisation though less senior than what I currently hold in London. For this reason the tax free income and benefits are crucial for me. I have no children and have heard that being female my partner will not be allowed to come with me. Can I just check if it would be possible if we were married? I know it is ilegal for unmarried couples to cohabitate, so would this jeopardise my job if we were caught? I cannot accept the post, if offered, without him coming with me. Would this work against me if I insisted my partner/husband coming too? Would he have to come in on a visitor's visa until he can find a job and sponsor in his own right? What is the employment situation for British men over there who will need sponsorhsip for work?
My other need of advice is on the benefits allowance itself. Can anyone suggest what is a good offer worth negotiating? I have been informed that average accommdation allowance is between 12-16k QR. What is the rule on this? Also the felxibility? I have heard of travel expenses but not sure what the going rate is and if this includes private cars or own vehicle. Finally the flight tickets. Are there set amounts and if so are they for direct family or even sole use? I have also heard that permission is needed for exit by the sponsor for each trip. Is this true? Given the differences in regulations and obligations, though unusual are not severe, is Doha a pleasant place to live for a quiet couple?
Any advice or guidance would be very much appreciated
Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2648500#ixzz1nstG9RJ8
I got married before coming here because I knew otherwise he wouldn't be able to come and live with me. I was also naive enough to think that I could then sponsor him. How wrong I was! After finding that out, too late, when I was already here, I brought him on a family visa, thinking, again naively, that he could easily find a job that would sponsor him -- wrong again. After 5 months here, bored to death in the middle of the summer, not even being able to go out on the street for a walk or to your average neighborhood pub for a drink or have any resemblance of a normal life, he left.
I have to agree with Raphcou, get married, get a job for him before you both decide to make the move, then come. Qatar is renowned for breaking expat couples because it's so hard on the person who is not working. At least, that's my experience and that of my coworkers.
Think it over, specially if you already have a good job there. Don't be lured by the tax free benefit, you'd be earning money but at a very high cost.
It's not the most exciting place in the world, but I suppose it's whatever you make it. You'll need to be married to live together, not worth the hassle to be otherwise.
Money looks ok, depends on the position really...but if you're happy, that's all that matters at the end of the day.
As a couple I'm sure you could have a good time here, and save a lot of money in the process.
I have a multiple exit visa, was very easy to get, don't know if that is everybody's experience though.
Give it a try, you'll never know till you are here.
James
For the housing allowance, this is the correct range with no kids I would say.
Careful, to be honest, this is the worst situation to be unmarried and a woman... You can come on your own, but cannot sponsor your partner this means he cannot live here as a resident... This also means he cannot work since he would stay only on tourist visas.
And even if you are married you have to think it twice. A woman cannot sponsor her husband (the opposite is possible). Means he cannot work under your sponsorship and has to find a job that wants to sponsor him, can be easy, sometimes it is not.
Bottom line, get married, and find a job for you husband BEFORE coming to Qatar. Finding a job really depends on your field.
Concerning exit visas, this is true, but some companies give permanent exit permits. For the home leave allowance it also depends of the company, some give an average amount, some pay the tickets.
You need to sponsor your friend and you can only do so if you get married. There is lot of jobs avaialble for skilled Westerners. However Qatari labout law is completely outdated. F.e.once in Qatar is almost impossible to change jobs if you run into trouble with the employer as your employer needs to give you authorization to change jobs (!). Yes, your employer even needs to give you authorization to leave Qatar (even for a provate week-end trip). This is quite ridiculous but it is true. So if you have an issue, be warned ! Local legislation protects the employer. Think twice before moving to qatar.......