Please, more info on living & working in Qatar.

Looking at some of the previous comments I think that all forum members should keep Qatarisation in mind.

All expatriates are employed only until a Qatari is able to take over the position in full. I am aware that some people have been in Qatar for a great number of years. I was there for 17 years myself. It may be that if you become redundant you will be offered a different position (why waste experience).

Just keep Qatarisation in mind because as more Qataris become proficient, there will be less need for expats.

Just to let you know, I work for Qatar Foundation, and their employees (especially expats) are very well taken care of. My only bills are my cell phone and groceries.

My husband has an offer to move to Quatar,

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) Anyone have any Mormon friends in Doha? THey are probably rare there but I'm sure some are in Doha.

My husband's offer is to work for the US Airforce Base but in order for his wife (me) to come we would need to live offbase in Doha. It would be nice to live by someone from our church that lives there also. Any nationality works.

Please let me know if you know anyone I could contact. THanks!!

i am love to work and live in qatar, is there any one can find me a job in computer field as a computer operator or data enty operator please wite to me?

Looking for a job in Qatar foundation, i have tried by emailing, faxing, and physically delivered my CV, i havent even recieved an email or phone call, no one is willing to help, anyone free to help or know of job openings? As you all know or if you havnt noticed , the only way you can get anything done is by " who you know".

I love footbal, if intersted in playing let me know.

I have friends working at

By sawadee on Sat, 2005-12-17 08:43

Working at QF and the above comments are pretty straight. Make sure you have things worked out in writing, then double check again. They have had some school problems with removing Directors with no notice.

I've been to the Educational City last week to attend the Doha Debate,this is a part of the Qatar Foundation campus.

I don't know about working there so I don't have useful advice to give you about it but I can tell you that I am have seen a modern,advanced and civilized place that makes anyone proud to be a part of.

The people who attended the debate were 50% Arabs and 50% Forieners,and I am telling you,everyone was looking sooooo neat and presentable.

I am happy that Qatar has this Qatar Foundation and I hope one day I will be able to enrole my daughter in one of it's schools.

The Qatar foundation accomodates Male employees and a car allowance is provided, married employees well housed, "Married" not partners

I have friends working at the Qatar Foundation and a recent conversation was alarming, the Foundation is a great facility with big dreans and visions, but I was advised they have a policy to have as many Qatari put in positions where expats are nos ocupants, The Chairman a Canadian recently walked out and many other European or western expats have been terminated at a days notice. these are issues that have been brought to my attention by several people in high positions all worried about their future.

A few things;

Never leave any large amounts of money in Qatar accounts, if terminayed they may not let you out of the country for some time and they could freeze your accounts.Transfer funds to your home country on a regular basis.

If you take up a senior postion have your contract before you move to reside in Qatar, the Foundation has been known to take people on and have them move to Qatar and then cancell or not come forward with contract, and can be sent packing at anytime.

Qatar is safe enough and most of the people are great and all here for the same reason (Money) The growth of Doha is amazing and you find all the services you will require, granted a little research is required to get some but they are here.

One thing if you do decide to go ahead and reside and work in Doha, TRY and get a multiple exit Visa, it will give you freedom and in the event that things dont work out you can get out quick and go through the sometimes weeks of waiting for clearance with frozen bank accounts, phones cut off and more.

If you value your privacy and like to communicate with loved ones and friends be warned they play games with the internet and E-mail systems.

The liquor license is a help, if you dont drink now get one anyway chances are you will be soon.

Good luck with your decision

Hey, no hairdressers?? come on!

A friend adviced me to go to Ritz-Carlton Hotel, there is a beauty salon for ladies.. I did my hair and loved it! but they are somehow expensive.. comparing it to where I used to live of corse.

There are other places like the Diplomatic Club, I also heard they have a nice salon as well as other hotels.

There is this magazine called Marhaba that is published every season containing all kinds of info. from upcoming events, to 'where to go', 'what to do', 'where to eat', etc. And it is really a great help for those who don't know anything about Doha.

One of the upcoming events is the Bryan Adams concert!!!!! :))) can't wait, but the bad thing is that it's on Feb.1 lol... but it's ok, at the end we get to see him!!

Hope I helpded.

Butterfly! are you having fun over there? have it at the max! un beso!

Sorry Deano, I don't think so.

You see, there are thousands of hair saloons here in Doha but they all look somewhat scary...

The thing is, my hair was sooo long, a couple of months ago I was desperately seeking for a good hairdresser. Couldn't find any so I asked my husband to cut my hair. It was a disaster. So bad, for the days that followed my hair-cut disaster I told him I would divorce him if he was to go anywhere near my hair ever again. Have forgiven him now...

Can anyone recommend a good hairdresser in Doha?

Another question, is there anywhere in Qatar that will cater for Afro-Caribbean (female) hair?

A bit of a random question, but my partner might not come if her hair can't be looked after :-)

Thanks very much for your comments butterfly & Suzan, all very helpfull. Please keep them coming.

Are there any expats that play football, or would like to play football, if so let me know.

Hey Suzan,

Thank you soooo much for correcting the figure of $12,000 ....coz in the beginning i was really frustrated...hehehehe ;) lol

I felt like I'm working for free compared to this salary ;) lol

hey deano sorry about the $12,000 it wasnt meant to be in USD, I meant Qatari reyals.. it's equal i guess to 3,250 USD.. plz if im wrong about the calculation plz someone correct me

sorry about that and thx

Hi Deano, I've just read your message

I know that qatar foundation is really an imp organization here in qatar. It prometes education and they work on giving the best education to people living in qatar.

I have a friend working there, she works as an assistant.. and she gets a really good salary.. i've visited the place once, and i can tell you that it is a really descente place with a professional environment.. my friend get paid guess $12,000 this includes transportation and house allowance..

she is really happy with her job.. the job package i think it also includes discount for her kids in the qatar foundation schools.. this qatar foundation place is like a city, it has in it schools and universities, international universities from cannigen mellon and Cornell University plus others.. u can visit www.qf.org.qa and u can get info about the org..

on the other hand it all depends on what kind of position you are getting to work in.. your package should include: Free medical care, married or single status, semi-furnished housing with furniture allowance, children's education assistance in Qatar for eligible dependants, transport allowance, baggage allowance, six weeks paid annual vacation including annual round-trip fares (i took this info from its website)

qatar is a new country.. lost of foreign people are coming to work here due to its increasing demand for employees..

i've been here for 4 months and i like it.. it all depends on knowing how to have fun..

the countrie's life is secure and safe, till now i haven't heard about something bad happening..

U have to analyze your situation and i dont think u have to worry about the country.. it's growing in a fast way..

wish you good luck and hope i helped you in something

take care

Hi deano,

I’m sorry that you haven’t had any reply yet.

The thing is, I really don’t know much about the Qatar foundation… they’re the organisers of BBC’s doha debates, aren’t they? I don’t know anyone that works there. So, no much point to my post, really, just wanted to say Hi.

I can answer some of your questions, though.

Is local accom affordable? No. If you are single, then a small apartment is all you need. You will be paying around GBP 1000 for a nice little apartment.

Yes, there are plenty of expats! Most of them, from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines and Indonesia. There are also many westerners and south Americans.

Your offer package should include the following:

Housing or a generous housing allowance

Free Flights to your home country at least once a year

Medical insurance

And if you like your drink, a liqueurs licence.

Sorry I cannot give you more info. I’m not from here and been living in Qatar for 10 months or so and so far I’m not enjoying it much … I hope someone else can help you.

Good luck.

butterfly

Thanks for all your advice