work pace in Doha

As far as leaving the company goes, like Qatarisun said, this depends on the NOC. Usually, it is safe to assume that you would have to leave the country - or this is what I have heard from most people.

In any case, getting an NOC is NOT something to depend on, as you would never know until you're actually at that stage.

If you have a family here, you wouldn't really want to be coerced to leave and not come back, would you?

It really is best to wait to be sponsored by your husband. It takes a little patience and time, I know, but in the middle and long run, it's a way better bet, all things considered.

You must check with his company about how long before he can sponsor you - from what I understand, that varies with nationality and level of seniority. I know someone who was asked to wait 6 months before he could sponsor his wife - apparently Qatar's 'probation' period :)

Anyway, for starters, get in here together on tourist/Business Visas (let the company HR advise on and handle that...every company has different degrees of weight they can pull :)), look around, settle down and wait till your husband can sponsor you.

Good luck!

It is the companies themselves (both in my case and in that of several others that I know) that advise the Business Visa.

But if Tourist Visa works as well for her, then it's for the company to advise so.

The Business Visa is renewable for up to 3 months and if needed, one can do a 'Visa run' out of Qatar and come back to get another Business Visa valid for yet another 3 months.

This makes it all much easier, because there's no telling how long things take to get done here. Especially with her husband's RP. My friend's took 3 months.

Sa, don't ask your company for business visa , it is an incompliance issue, you r not eligible for business visa. Whoever advise you to do so, advise you to violate the law. Also company might not like it at all. You as a Canadian can get visa upon arrival at Doha airport, which is valid for 1 month and extendable for another month. Once your hubs RP is finalized, he can sponsor you ( check this point with his company prior to traveling!) . As for changing a job, there are certain rules with regards to this matter. You as sponsored by you hub can quit/change the job any time. He can not change his sponsor any earlier than 1 (sometimes 2) year/s. If he got so-called no objection certificate (NOC), he can change the company with no problem. Ask him to check with his company whether providing a NOC is in their policy or not. If no NOC is granted, he has to leave the country for 2 years.

''if you quit, you'd have to leave the country and not come back for 2 years'', is this automatic or depends on employers? i.e. if you leave on good terms with your employer and you have another job offer in Qatar, is it possible to stay there tks

chocaholic, this is really helpful and covers everything :-) thanks a lot!!

You could fly together, but it would depend on your husband's company in terms of what arrangements they could make for you. You would have to come in on a Tourist or Business Visa. The latter is more convenient and will be valid for 3 months (although will have to be renewed once a month). During this time, your husband's papers should be sorted out, and he can then sponsor you as his family. Your Business Visa would get converted.

You could find work with your new Residents' Visa. This is more advisable because once you are sponsored by your husband, you can take up or quit jobs like in the 'normal' world. Should you come here sponsored by a company, you're stuck with them, no matter how badly things might go. And if you quit, you'd have to leave the country and not come back for 2 years.

It all sucks, but that's how it is :-/

Mohammed good to know ;-)

we are planning to flight together, we are waiting for his work permit and we were assuming I can automatically go there. Tks for clarifying.

Mohammed, do you mean I can't get a job offer to work in Qatar? I thought Qatar allows female expats as well...I appreciate if you can clarify your point. Tks

Thanks all for your answers :-))

We definitely want to come.

May be I misspoke...what I meant, it may be worth that my husband goes first to Qatar and I will try to get a job offer while still in Canada (with more benefits)...

Sa165, i am not sure what is easier, to find a job when you come with your spouse or when you come alone.. I think these two are irrelevant and have nothing to with each other.

As for "to come or not to come", it obviously depends on your hub's salary. Depends on what you are giving up...

The problem with finance is that people are often expected to work Fridays, because the rest of the financial world is still operating. This often means only a one-day weekend, particularly people working in the international sectors.

"By 2:31 the office looked completely dead."? lollll

qatarisun, I like the work schedule you had in the semi-government company, as I have a baby so that allows me to have more family time. Does many companies offer such schedule.

Is is easier to find jobs there when you come with spouse? I heard that no benefits will be paid just basic salary. Sometime I think it is better to stay in Canada till I find a job instead of just going with my husband, but this may take time ;-(

I appreciate if you have any insights ??

re t_coffee_or_me and Uranus1,

there is no mention of work hours/culture in the contract. My husband will be in a senior position in a bank. We both work in Canada, but are lucky to work in a reasonable work pace companies :-)

when i worked with the semi-government company, my working day was 7 hours without lunch break, 7:30 to 2:30(you could have some snacks, coffee, tea, etc. during the day at the office), with 2 days off. Around 2:15-2:20 the ladies used to start gathering at the exit area, ready to leave, but still discussing whose wasta is stronger and whose abaya is more expensive...by 2:29 you could only see the trains of their abaya's.. :) Men were following them very soon, although trying to behave with dignity and not push each other at the exit. By 2:31 the office looked completely dead.

Now, when I work for my hub's Company, I don't know my working hours, as I work as soon as I wake up until I fall asleep; I don't differ working days from weekends; I don't know what vacation is, as no 1 vacation day passes without opening both my Outlook and my Company folder in my comp, or answering business phone calls..

so here you go.. depends on who your boss is :):)

Pace is slow, work pressure has to be less than anywhere else in the world.

Working hours vary but unless he is working for a contracting company he will be free by 5 at max so your husband will have plenty of time for the family here.

Depends entirely on your position and where you are coming from. The day typically starts much much earlier than in Europe and somewhat earlier than the U.S., but it also finishes earlier.

Will depend where your husband is working, position and contract.Typical working hours is 8 per day, as per labor law. Mostly people in senior position don't get paid OT.