What Visa can I move to Qatar with?
I am planning on moving to Doha permanently before my job starts, however I don't know enough about the Visa requirements to be able to do this.
I will not have received my work visa at the time I move over there, but I am able to obtain a Qatari sponsor. Is this enough? What Visa can I move there with if I have a sponsor but it is not work related? I know with a tourist/visitors visa you have to have proof that you will be leaving the country with an outgoing plane ticket, therefore I won't be eligible for that one.
What other kind of Visa's are there, and which one would be suitable for my situation?
Generally people who are privately sponsored are sponsored by a close relative. You may want to PM Qatarisun -she is very knowlegable about visas and RPs.
Mandi
Ok scrap that, I think it does have to be based on working if it isn't a visit visa.
But how does someone use a Qatari sponsor for either a visit visa or working visa, instead of a hotel or the company you will be working for? All the information sources say MOST people use a hotel or the company to sponsor them, but it doesn't provide any information about the people who are privately sponsored.
Does anyone know?
hmm apparently my Qatari sponsor can sponsor me for an actual residents permit, regardless of work. Which means no Visa is required. Is this true? Does anyone have any more info?
Yup exactly. Don't want to shell out money for a return ticket that I'm not going to use.
I know it can be a return ticket, or an onforwarding ticket. I do plan on travelling, so that might not be an issue. But will Qatar allow me to arrive there on a visit visa, leave the country for a week or so, and then allow me to apply for another visit visa and have the 2 x 14 days renewed?
I think you've got it covered! But be careful looking for another kind of visa - there are such and they are illegal. You don't want to sell yourself into blackmail, extortion or worse. It would seem that your only issue with a visit or tourist visa is the return ticket.
Mandi
Oh crap I've been reading more about it.
Visit Visa: Last for 14 days & is extendable for another 14. But sponsorship has to be by a hotel, and you must have a return ticket.
Business Visa: Valid for 14 days and extendable to 3 months. Must be for work purposes only, with a signed letter from the sponsor who must be a recognised establishment or company. Also, must have a return ticket.
Work Visa: Supplied by a company to allow for the employee's family to move to Qatar and are renewable each year.
So in other words a Qatari family can not sponsor me to come to Qatar as I won't fit the visiting requirements or business requirements, and they are not a recognised establishment or company? Anyone know any other information?
ooh I've learned something new already. What's the difference between a work Visa and a business Visa? And are there any other Visa's not mentioned?
If you don't qualify for a visit visa, don't yet have a work visa and aren't willing to pay for a business visa - you probably can't get here from there.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
:-D