Anyone Waiting Work Visa (AlJazeera English)

3 visas came today and one was received two days ago, now only 11 people are waiting the visas anyone of you guys here received his visas.....

abouhashem

Abouhashem, I don't think Don Masri is going to be working for AJE. I think he's going to be working for a different organisation.

Correct me if I'm wrong Don Masri?

another question, when did you sign the contract and what is your nationality

abouhashem

Well guys, I was called last week and informed that I got my visa. But still it hasn't been mailed to me as yet.

***The biggest risk in life, is not taking one!***

all what i knew is that she got the visa and they r expecting visas now

abouhashem

Did she just receive it in her email? Or did they phone to notify her that they had received it?

Thanks for that.

I was told last week that they were expecting some visas last week, but then didn't hear anything. Maybe they received some after all?

I wonder whether they are processed in batches (i.e. all applications for AJE processed by the Qatari authorities at the same time) or whether they are all processed individually?

Fingers crossed, insh'allah, we'll hear some positive news soon.

A french national who signed with Jazeera English before 3 months received her visa today..its the first visa to be isued since 3 weeks..

abouhashem

There are no payrises for the duration of your two year contract. Everyone applying should note that. Also like mojonojo says even if you get promoted you won't get paid anymore money.

Again its a source of friction at work and there are moves to correct this but I seriously doubt anyone is holding out for it.

no payrises for the durationb of your contract, even if promoted

so life in qatar is nice..many people told me so, though its hot...

ok what about AJE does anyone know anything about the salaries, and every how much they raise the salaries, and other usefull infos.../

abouhashem

So I deleted two sets of comments, out of context on a forum they would invite flaming, you have to see the reality of the situation on he ground to understand the comments I had posted.

I am really feeling for you abourasham, I really think you would enjoy Al Jazeeza, the position you describe would be in the newsroom and its a fast moving stressful environment. You would probably thrive on it.

At the end of the day though you have to think about your family, it would be a crushing blow for you to take the job arrive settle in then for the rest of your family to be denied entry to the country.

After reading all my posts I sound negative I know but if you do get everything sorted you will really enjoy it here, and eventually learn to like Qatar.

never mind lets wait and see

abouhashem

i am still waiting the visa and i think its time to make brave decisions, maybe take the bbc offer more serious..

abouhashem

Re: Wadah Khanfar, I've no idea what's going on internally, but there was an article in one of the local papers recently about Al Jazeera management:

Al Jazeera board formed

Web posted at: 5/16/2007 2:2:47

Source ::: QNA/ Reuters

doha • The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued the Emiri Decision No 28 of the year 2007 forming Al Jazeera Satellite Network board of directors.

The Emiri decision provided that Al Jazeera board of directors be formed as follows: H E Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman; Ahmad Abdullah Al Kholeifi, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director; Hamad Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari, member; Abdullah Mubarak Al Kholeifi, member; Mahmoud Shamam, member; Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, member; and Mariam Rashed Yousuf Al-Khater member. The Emiri decision also provided that the board term would be three years.

[Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=May2007&file=Local_News200705162247.xml ]

It's public knowledge that Wadah Khanfar hasn't been appointed to the board of directors.

Which part have you deleted in your comments? Hmmm, do i need the same? let me know.

Well, i dont say lies here. We're just trying to help 1 fellow to decide. But this time abouhashem, I will decide for you. Go and accept BBC's offer, believe me you dont want to repent later of losing it. Like mbi said, visa should be ready w/in a month. If goes beyond that period then must be somethings wrong.

And btw, mbi. Hr never been lazy like you said, not even sometimes as far as I knew. They just got loads of works and they are NOT even to decide when is the visa be ready but the Ministry.

I would take the Job at the BBC, you could be waiting months for your Visa. At the end of the day this is NOT AJE's Fault but a problem with the country, there are so many horror stories about visas right now that I cannot honestly recommend that you wait for it.

This advice would go to anyone with perhaps two offers or thinking about moving. The countries bureaucracy has turned into a joke right now and I don't think the HR in the company is fully aware of just how annoyed people are becoming.

Sorry once again AJE BOOK AND PAY for your flight, under NO circumstances do you pay for your flight here. There have been problems with them doing this but it is UP TO THEM. NOT YOU.

abouhashem your position on the studio floor is kinda out of that loop so you should be OK but again I advise if you are married to make sure YOU AND YOUR PARTNER both have the Visa before accepting the job.

The article, (nice find serendipity by the way) ignores the reality of the situation at Al Jazeera.

Deleted my comments again ha ha for the real story PM me

Im working in al jazeera but they give the visa withn one month ...u have to contact the HR everyday because they r leasy sometimes

Your wife is NOT guaranteed her Visa, my advice and I know its hard to hear right now is take the BBC job. I know there are at least two people who have joined and their wives have either been refused a Visa or still waiting for their Visa.

Ha ha after reading that article I have deleted my further comments !!

good luck n'ways! :)

how to make sure my wife's visa is ok since i need to get my residence permit before doing her papers.

abouhashem

Interesting article shedding some light on Qatari opinions about AJ/AJE recruitment here:

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP156007

my job is in the news room and i know that qataris applied and werent accepted..my experience is good

abouhashem

All government sectors must hire a Qatari and GCC's nationals ONLY! regardless of their qualifications and educational backrounds. And unfortunately for us expats, AJE is a government sects. There are certain jobs that are given to Qataris and GCC nationals only because at Labour dept. alot of Qataris & GCC nationals job applications are there. And one of the HRD friend told me that even the semi-govt. sects are given notice too, to abide this Law.

Also, does anyone knows whats goin on at National Health Authority recently? That is another story of Qatarization.

i am worried now after what i read..it seems things are worse than i thought..anyways i am going to wait one week more and put the bbc guys on hold, if i didnot get the visa then london is the best place to go..thanks aviduser for the advice i thought things are easier..though AJE external affairs guys told me that the visa must me ready by next week...i dont know i wish things will work,.

abouhashem

This is all to do with Qatar Labour laws, I cannot honestly recommend any one accept a job with the company right now.

Again: I say again, this is not AJE's Fault.

Again: if you are from any Middle Eastern Arab country, Particularly Lebanon and Jordon you are NOT guaranteed to get your Visa.

Again: Your wife is NOT guaranteed to get her Visa even if you do.

Right now there is someone at work with a wife in Jordan who has been refused a Visa.

If you have been offered a Job here once again DO NOT RESIGN !! until the Visa for you and your partner is in your hand. Only then should you resign. If you have waited 5-6 Months another 4 weeks or so is not a problem.

Also note, unless it is specifically written into your contract schooling for your children is NOT NOW GUARANTEED. Although the company is working to keep this benefit.

Cheers

Aviduser is ALL right! it's not AJE's faults, its Qatarization Laws. I was offered a job last year from AJE and was refused by Labor dept, was waiting for 3-6months, but I already resigned from my previous job as I was told. Now, I'm stucked up for a year. If I were you, do not resign from your current job or better accept BBC's offer. One of your countrymen got job offer same time w/ me, from AJE, and when they applied for CID clearance for him, he was refused by Labor dept. as the Job title is for Qatari only and they want to send him back to his country after bringing him here, the worst thing that was during the war when the Beirut airport was shut down. In your case, I think they want to have assurance that you'll get approval from the Labor dept. before coming here, good for you I think. But till when you keep waiting? Nobody knows, and I bet even AJE-HR doesn't know, that's my first hand experienced to share :)))

I told them but they only asked me to be patient and said they dont know anything, the issue is in the interior ministry, and no one knows ..anyways i wish all of us will get the visas asap..but what about forming a group for us..

abouhashem

I don't know what the situation is at AJE, but I think in your position now abouhashem, knowing that it may take 5-6 months to process the visa application, if I were in your situation, I would contact the person who interviewed me (not HR) and explain the situation to them. The person who interviewed you is the person who wanted to hire you, and if you explain to them your dilemma they may be able to find out what's happening and when you might expect to receive your visa (if at all).

Everyone else, I think it's just a matter of waiting, we don't have any decisions to make, but I think you really need to find out what's happening.

Which is the better offer?

[img_assist|nid=13228|title=I feel your scorn and I accept it-Jon Stewart|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]

hi

do you guys think we might have to wait more and more...actually i have another offer from BBC and i have only few days to reply...do you think i shall refuse the BBC offer and continue waiting the Visa, or rather take the BBC offer and forget about the Visa..

abouhashem

No make sure your flight money is sorted, I know a couple of people who showed up at the airport on the day of their supposed flight, only to find out that the cost had never been paid because HR had forgotten.

[img_assist|nid=13228|title=I feel your scorn and I accept it-Jon Stewart|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]

hi

so we should pay for our tickets..i thought they will book our flights...they told me so...

abouhashem

Do book and pay for your flight. You will be given the Visa before you arrive, if memory serves me right. You get it emailed you then print it out.

Again none of this is AJE's fault basically it's the Qatari Home Office.

Who do nowt all day and do everything sloooooowwwwwwlllllllyyyy. Because it involves working.

Note though if you have dual passports,nationality or from an Arab, Middle eastern country it will take even longer and note it is not guaranteed you will get the visa.

I was assuming that AJE would be booking the flight, Sarah, and that we wouldn't have to make sure our flight money was sorted.

AJE will undoubtedly have negotiated better rates on a corporate basis than they would have to pay if we bought the tickets and were reimbursed.

Can anyone here clarify what the score is about flights? Do AJE book them? They do ask us to provide information about our departure airport after all.

And when are the flights in relation to receipt of the visa? Is Sarah right? You get the visa and you're expected to be there within a week or so? Or is there a further delay? That short time scale isn't really a problem for me, in fact I welcome the idea of avoiding any further delay, but others may need to give notice.

I know of at least 7 people who have had their application lost...

well the place i am going are applying for a business visa so that i can arrive to Qatar ASAP. and then they will follow up with the work visa. I have been harassing the HR on daily bases here, because they asked me to resign my job after they stated that the visa was at hand. It turned out that the whole application was lost!!! to make things even worse, i was told that Jordanian visa's usually take even longer to get processed due to some kind of problems between the two countries!

***The biggest risk in life, is not taking one!***

as you said AJE are not the ones we should blame..

But i have a question, is there any precedent that JAzeera cancelled any offer.

abouhashem

I have been told that it can take a really long time for your visa application process to clear, but at the last minute you will asked to provide a date of when you will be arriving. Within a week or so! Its best to just spend as much time as you can making sure your flight money is sorted and you are ready to leave with all your stuff and your head in check!

Im just making sure that I try and find out as much as i can about Doha before I go!

Sarah

Until you have that Visa in your hands !!!! This is VERY important. Right now there are people who have had to wait FIVE MONTHS !!.

This is NOT the companies fault please don't think it is them.

The Government right now is dragging their feet and everyone is waiting ages.

If you are from an Arab country NOTE your PARTNER may not get a VISA !!!!!

Again this is not AJE's Fault.

My advice to anyone taking a job here, be PATIENT. Don't lose it with the company they can't really do much they are just as frustrated as you are. Their hands are tied by the Govt.

Accept the job, DO NOT RESIGN !!!!. Until you have the Visa in your hand. Believe me if the company has waited 5 months for you they will wait another 4 weeks for your notice to be waited out.

If your notice is three months get the job wait two months then resign.

PLEASE DO NOT RESIGN STRAIGHT AWAY !!

Cheers

Though i signed two and half months ago,.. i didnot resign and wont before the Visa is guaranteed

abouhashem

I've been told it can take a while but three months! I have just been formally offered but told it should take about a month. I wont be leaving my job just yet then!

Sarah

It can take like 6 months or longer....the best thing to do is harass HR..

one month passed lets wish you will get it soon, but do u have any news

abouhashem

one month now....

***The biggest risk in life, is not taking one!***