Work visa/ languages/ and kids
Hi,
We are moving to Doha at the end of August and I want to look for work once I'm there.
My husband has got a job working for a school in Doha, and as such, is getting a work visa. It has been suggested that I will be able to work automatically, through his having a work visa. Is this right? Or will I need to apply for my own work visa, once I've found a job?
Also, I'm from the UK and speak three languages, including English, but Arabic isn't one of them. What are my chances of getting work without speaking Arabic? I work in journalism/ PR.
Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Finally, on a more practical note: we'll be arriving in August with a 3 year old and a baby (9 months by then) and I'm worried about the heat/ and also getting things I'm gonna need, such as a cot/ high chair/ car seats etc... is it worth shipping these things from the UK or can these be bought/ 2nd hand/ cheap in Doha. I've been told to contact Doha mums as they lend things to new arrivals, but apparently the scheme shuts down in July and August.
Does everyone get out of there in July/ August because of the heat?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
One more thing Jovahi if u r planning to work in a nursery please let me know, thanks.
Hi dear, its better to be under ur husband sponsorship, so u have more choices where to work and how many hours, i came with my husband last year from uk too, i have three children where I struggled to put my 3 kids in decent and affordable nursery, well it was hard, so i opened my own nursery in abou hamour, behind the parkhouse english school, pls call me if u need help or more information on 30005928.Dear Jovahi to shop i advise u to go to almeera supermarkets or Lulu hypermaket they r the cheapest here.goodluck and takecare
and convenient if you are under husband's sponsorship as you can choose where to work and much easier to transfer if you feel to. Of course the only disadvantage is if your husband's visa is cancelled, you, too.
Hello,
My husband earns more than 10000QR per month, we have emailed the school HR and awaiting for the answer.
I am taking your advice and writing to expatwomen.com, I will keep everyone posted on that subject.
I personally believe the best would be to be sponsored by my husband, but I just wanted to have another point of view.
Ideally you want to be under your husband's sponsorship since it gives you the most flexibility. However, if the school is offering you their sponsorship I wonder if it means they will not help you with your husband sponsoring you. Is he making over 10,000 QR month? Why don't you call/email the HR of the school to ask. I am a little puzzled as to why they would offer you their sponsorship. Are you working for them? And you know what, why don't you ask this on Expatwoman.com as well. I haven't heard of this and I'd like more opinions.
Mandi
Hello,
We are moving to Qatar in August 2012 as well and we are very much excited but not looking forward for the heat wave though...
My question joins Jovahi's regarding sponsorship and work visa.
My husband's school will sponsor him and has asked if I wanted to be under the school sponsorship or under my husband's. We are not quite sure what is the best option and what really are the advantages/ inconveniences of the two options.
Could anyone give us more information? Thanks in advance
Jovahi, what is the third language you speak? and how is your departure preparation going? I imagine how stressful it might be with the babies...
Thanks for all the helpful advice, I think I'll ship as much as we can in terms of baby and kids stuff then. Yes, not looking forward to arriving in August with a baby. I'm hoping the apartment has kitchen stuff, a washing machine and a fridge freezer, at least that'll help to begin with. We really don't know much at this stage.
If anyone can advice where is best to shop cheaply for food/ groceries and nappies that would be good.
Also, ideas on a reliable car hire company (that will lend us child car seats perhaps) until we are able to buy our own car?Thanks
busy hands nursery alrrayan, now open it is a nursery &day care
just opposite alrayyan baverly hills compound
licensed by ministry follows the international curriculum for kindergarden and nursery
during summer they have summer camp if you are looking for a lot fun to help the child have a great learning experience.
for more information call 66552897
Yes try to bring your kids stuff from the UK if you can, here its is expensive and you will not have much choice.
August is a hot and humid month and most of August this year will be Ramadan so everything will on a very slow place unless you arriving towards the end of August.
If one of the languages you speak is Malayalam you will find it the National language here and employment should be simple. However the salary you would be offered will probably not be what you are expecting.
July/August is holiday season and most mums and kids disappear if they can afford it.
As for kids stuff bring what you can from the UK, here its expensive and the quality is bad.
Whew, yeah, August in the heat and during Ramadan. That's NOT a good time to run around and shop. I know, I've done it. Nothing can be found cheaply or easily in Doha. You usually spend three times the amount of energy and time finding something that you would at home. Store inventory is whimsical at best. Goods are often second-rate. Either send your husband a month or so early and have him get everything set up - and do all the paperwork - or send everything and just stay indoors until October.
Mandi
you won't be able to work "automatically". If you stay under your husband's sponsorship, you will need a work permit in order to work legally.
You don't have to have your own work visa, unless the company insists on transfer of your sponsorship. Then you can decide either you want to transfer under the company's sponsorship or look for another job.