Expats Guide to Moving to Doha

Expatriates choosing to move to Qatar in the next few months have chosen the ideal time to do so, as anticipation grows for the FIFA World Cup to be played in Doha in 2022. With the international competition taking place in less than 3 years, moving to Doha now, will ensure that you are well settled in when it comes time for the world renowned event. 

Expats have been moving to Doha in search of promising employment opportunities for many years, as the oil, gas, petrochemicals, steel, ship repairs, finance and hospitality sectors all offer lucrative work contracts for skilled foreigners. While Doha doesn’t have all the tourist-attractions, such as the theme parks and recreational activities of other United Arab Emirate cities, it offers a vibrant community living in harmonious diversity.

Whether you are a professional single, hoping to boost your career by moving to Doha or a family-oriented executive being relocated by your company, the Allied team has compiled a helpful ‘to do’ list to guide you throughout your move. 

VISA PROCESSING

If you’ve been commissioned by your company to move to Doha, fortunately you can rely on your company’s PRO (public relations officer) to do some of the work for you. There will, however, be other formalities based on visa regulations from your country of origin, which you’ll have to look after. 

If you want to work permanently in Qatar, you can apply for a Work Residence Visa. However, individuals looking for full-time work will most likely have to go through an agency to acquire this type of permit. 

You can also obtain a Renewable Business Visa, which is valid for a maximum of 3 months. Family Visit Visas, on the other hand, are valid for 6 months. Recently, Qatar launched a program, whereby relatives of Work Residence Visa holders can visit Qatar during summer, visa-free. 

Before leaving your home country, be sure you have all valid credentials approved by your embassy and packed in your hand luggage. 

LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION

Finding accommodation in Qatar is easy. If there is one thing that the Qatari government never stops developing, it’s real estate and infrastructure. 

There are many great places to live in Qatar, which are well suited to expats. Most of these residential compounds are guarded by security and it’s safe to live in the country overall. A one-bedroom apartment in a commercial area could cost about 3500-4000 Qatari Riyals per month. If you have a large family and are looking for a 2-3-bedroom villa, the cheapest is likely to be about QAR 6000-7000/month. If you are going to live outside the CBD, the rent will be a lot cheaper.  

Water and electricity are provided by a single sector in Qatar, Kahramaa. Most accommodation includes utilities with the rent. For some, you will have to apply on your own by visiting any of the Kahramaa offices around the city. 

LOOKING FOR WORK

Qatar has been accepting professional expats officially since the early 1980s. Today, it’s this mix of international skills and qualifications that has helped Qatar to prosper. There is a lot more competition for the high-paying jobs in the Qatari capital than there was 15 years ago, so make sure your CV is in order, you have great references and you conduct yourself extremely professionally in an effort to impress prospective employers.

Companies in Qatar give preference to Arabic speakers, native English speakers, and those who have extensive working experience in other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries.

FINDING THE BEST EDUCATION FOR YOUR KIDS

There are a lot of schools, kindergartens and universities to choose from in Doha. It is best to make enquiries to the school as soon as possible once you know you’re moving to Doha, so you can get your children’s paperwork in order. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Extreme Weather

Basically, Qatar has 2 main seasons: the cooler season runs from December to February, while the hot season is April to October. Being a desert climate, Qatar experiences very mild winters and extremely hot summers. 

During summer, the temperature can rise to 50 degree Celsius in the desert. It is best to stay indoors between 10am to 4pm, otherwise you may be overcome by the sunshine and heat. However, during winter, the temperature can drop to freezing in the desert overnight, while the average daily temperatures are about 10 to 20 degrees Celsius.

2. Culture Shock

The country is home to 80% expatriates, so it’s almost impossible not to find person from a region familiar to you. Depending on your religion, you can find prayer complexes and places to attend mass or celebrate Christmas and other customs.

3. Conservative Lifestyle

Qatar is not as open as the rest of the UAE, so expats are expected to dress more conservatively and reduce public displays of affection. If you’re a woman, avoid wearing short skirts/dresses/walking shorts, sleeveless tops, and/or revealing clothes and for men, despite the hot weather, do not wear singlets or shorts in the street. 

Moving to Doha is an exciting chapter, which will go smoothly if you have plenty of time to plan and prepare. The team at Allied will guide you with everything you need to know about relocating to Qatar, from acquiring a visas to finding accommodation. Contact us for a free quote.