Cohabitating in Qatar
I am considering a job in Doha and am quite excited about it. However, I would like my girlfriend to be able to come with me and she would love to come as well. As I understand it, it is illegal to cohabitate with a women if you are not married. In many of my travels there are many laws that are not enforced. I am wondering how strongly this is enforced? And what are the repercussions of breaking this law? I don't want to come to this beautiful place and be overtly offensive to the culture.
I am not saying its right or wrong, but there are literally thousands co-habitating "under the radar" as it were and perfectly fine. As screwed up as it is, youre a hell of a lot less likely to get any attention as a westerner as well. Most of the people getting in trouble for this are Asian.
I honestly mean no one any offence, but thats just the way it is here.
Thanks for all the input, guess I've got more decisions to make. Cheers.
you say "As I understand it, it is illegal to cohabitate.." and at the same time you "don't want to come to this beautiful place and be overtly offensive to the culture"..
so since you know this is illegal, you understand it IS "offensive to the culture"... you contradict yourself..
On the other hand, your GF can NOT just come and live here. She needs a permission to live here, i.e. Residence permit. To get a Residence Permit, she needs a sponsor. Sponsor can be either the Company that she works for, or yourself (only if you guys are married)..
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Get married.
Qatar is one of the most pro-family places you will find.
who will sponsor your GF?
you matter as well get married.... if you come here then you will have to introduce her to everyone as your wife.
i know people who cohabit.....but say they are married...
but it leaves you very fragile position.
Get married and come here.. Even having a GF is against the local culture.
**** Aal Izz Well****
Enforced if info received by police ie. someone reports you.
Repercussions - lose job, go to jail and/or get deported. May or may not get lashes.
Smart of you to do your research before landing up here. There's also the exit permit requirement before you're allowed to leave the country so ...
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Beauty lies in the eyes of the beerholder.
it is not advisable to do it, when you do doing it ... make sure you not advertise it.
You just need to upset somebody (your work mate or your neighbour) to make them reporting to the police and off you go to the deportation centre.