Thinking of relocating to Qatar?
Relocating to a new city or country can be a big step especially when you have a new job to face as well. You can only really get a good feel for a country when you have been there, but please keep reading our guide on Qatar to give you an overview of this country and what it has to offer, from the essentials to the desirables...
Country
Qatar has a population of over 910,000 and is one of the Arab Gulf States, the others being Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It is a member of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) founded in 1981. The GCC controls nearly half the world's oil reserves, and is the European Union's sixth largest export market. Qatar is a peninsula situated on the Western Coast of the Arabian Gulf with a land area of approximately 11,500 square kilometres.
Economy
Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the region because of their oil reserve; the government has encouraged diversification and this in turn has seen Qatar with continued growth in their economy in a number of expanding sectors and divisions. Sectors of economic growth include Oil, Gas, Construction, Telecommunications and IT & Banking and Finance.
Culture
Dress Code: Qatar is a very modern country and has a relaxed dress code. Many of the Qatari women will be fully veiled and many of the men will be dressed in traditional white gown known as a 'thobe'. Any type of dress that you feel may be appropriate will be acceptable in most locations in Qatar, but you should still cover up shoulders and not wear skirts or trousers that are too short or transparent. In your compound, on the beach or by the pool, swimming costumes, shorts and even bikinis are quite okay. It is respectful to wear loose-fitting clothes that cover the limbs. You will be much better received this way, and will avoid a lot of unwanted attention. While you can probably find suitable clothes in your own wardrobe, if you want to buy suitable clothing in Qatar then try the long cotton robes for sale in the shopping malls.
During working hours corporate attire consists of business suits for men and working women tend to wear items similar to those they would wear in their home country.
Drinking: Qatar is an Islamic state, which prohibits drinking alcohol in public other than at licensed hotel restaurants and bars.
Religious Customs: Religious customs should be respected at all times, particularly during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Arabic calendar. During this time eating, drinking and smoking in public are forbidden by Muslim law between sunrise and sundown
Health: Qatar requires no vaccinations for entry, but it is recommended that visitors be immunised against hepatitis A and typhoid.
Renting or Buying a Property
More than 80% of Qatar's population live in Doha, other popular towns include Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, and Mesaieed. However, Expatriates are not allowed to own property in Qatar except in designated areas. It is now common practice for large multi national employers to provide furnished accommodation for their expatriate employees. Alternatively, some employers provide housing allowances. There are a number of options available, including apartments, stand-alone villas and housing compounds.
In newer housing complexes, three-bedroom villas are available at a monthly rent of approximately USD 5,000, and four-bedroom villas at USD 7,000. Qatari landlords usually require a one-year lease with advance payment of six to twelve months' rent.
Education
Education City is located on the outskirts of Doha and hosts branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities, as well as numerous other educational and research institutions. Supported by abundant residential and recreational facilities, Education City is envisioned as a community of institutions serving from early childhood education to post-graduate study.
Education City is envisioned as a hub for the generation of new knowledge, a place that provides researchers with world-class facilities, a pool of well-trained graduates, the chance to collaborate with likeminded people and the opportunity to transfer ideas into real-world applications.
Setting up a Bank Account
Opening a bank account in Qatar is a detailed process with many formalities and a number of forms must be completed to do so. It is mandatory to have a residence visa, which demonstrates your right to be in the country and also a 'letter of no objection' or a 'no objection certificate' (NOC) from your employer. Some banks may also ask to see your tenancy agreement to establish your residential address in Qatar.
When moving to Qatar to live and or work, it's is recommended you maintain your bank account in your home country, particularly if you still have payments to make to cover commitments. However, the funds going into home accounts should be kept to a minimum. It is therefore highly recommend that you also open an offshore bank account.
Language
Arabic is the official language in Qatar, while English is the chosen business language and the most common second language studied and spoken.
Currency
The currency in Qatar is the Qatari Riyal. The Riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. Riyal can be abbreviated to (QR). The Riyal is tied to the Dollar at a fixed exchange rate of US $ = 3.64 QR's
Transport
Air travel is the most convenient and easily available mode of getting to Qatar. Doha International Airport is the heart of air travel in Qatar. Located in the capital Doha, this airport hosts a huge number of flights to Qatar from the worlds most frequently used airlines with many operate daily or weekly flights.
Transportation in Qatar could not be easier. They have several adequate modes of local transport in the country with buses, taxis and limousines being those most commonly used.
The majority of public transportation in Qatar is owned by a company called Mowasalat. In October 2005 Qatar started its first bus service; these buses are mostly used by locals. Ticket prices for buses in Qatar start from QR 2 and visit all the popular tourist destinations of Qatar, including Al Ruwais, Dukhan and Umm Said.
Taxis are the most convenient and reasonable mode of local transportation in Qatar. These taxis can be found at all the prime tourist spots around the country. There are two types of taxis in Qatar - green and orange. Rates are about QR 1 per kilometre of travel.
Car rental prices in Qatar are about QR 120 per day, and fuel prices are unbelievably cheaper.
Climate
Qatar has a moderate desert climate offering glorious days and pleasant evenings where the sun shines virtually every day, and rainfall is almost non-existent, averaging only three inches a year, this falling only in winter. The summers are sensationally hot by day and warm at night. Daily temperatures can often hit over 40 degrees Centigrade. Winters are slightly cooler during the day, with a fresh evening breeze at night but humidity, especially along the coast, can be high. A dust-laden wind known as the shamal, blows between March and August. Sandstorms can occur throughout the year, although they are most often seen in the spring.
Visas
For specific visa information relating to your country of origin please contact your local Qatari Embassy in your home country.
Interesting Facts
- Qatar, a former pearl-fishing centre and once one of the poorest Gulf states, is now one of the richest countries in the region
- Qatar is a peninsula in the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia
- Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
- The Flag of Qatar is Maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side.
- In 2006 Doha hosted 15th Asian Games
- The Riyal is one of the strongest currencies in the world
Reed Personnel Services has a team of consultants from the UK living and working in Qatar and if you have further questions about relocating or working in Qatar they would be very happy to discuss this with you, please feel free to contact Reed Qatar on info.doha@reedqatar.com
