Following hot on the heels of part one of our guide to the A – Z of living in Qatar we move on from F to M and from Fingerprinting as part of the visa process, to all the Medical information you need to live happily, safely and healthily in this fascinating and very affluent Arab state.
If you’re coming to the end of your tether stuck in a rut in the UK, you want to branch out, further your career and positively enhance your finances, Qatar should be on your radar. As already discussed in previous articles about this emirate in the Middle East, it has money, jobs and demand for foreign skilled workers.
And if you need to know all about living and working in Qatar, follow us as we work our way through the A to Z of expatriate life…
F
Unlike in the UK where you’re only fingerprinted if you’re suspected of a crime, in Qatar you’re fingerprinted as part of the residency visa process! And if you think about it, it can save on criminal research, because if a crime is committed and there are fingerprints left by the perpetrator, the police can quickly and easily scan their records and find ‘who dun it!’
The inking process is par for the course, but men and women are handled in separate areas of the police station.
G
In Qatar cookers are often run on refillable propane gas cylinders - you pay a deposit for your cylinder the first time you buy, and then whenever you need a new one you just pay for the cost of the gas.
Glasses and sunglasses can be purchased in Qatar for a reasonable price – and you can pick up designer shades for really good prices. You will need decent sunglasses to protect your eyes from the power of the sun in Qatar. If you wear contact lenses you can get all the solutions etc., that you need – but do keep in mind the dust and sand can make eyes extra irritable.
If you want to a join a gym when you move to Qatar you may be lucky enough to find one in your compound, alternatively many of the better hotels have health clubs and the universities have facilities too – although access can be restricted if you’re not a member of faculty/a student.
Ask around for recommendations from friends and colleagues, and note that there are also some sports clubs you can get involved with instead/in addition – depending on what you like doing. Observe any restrictions on men and women exercising together.
H
As with many things in Qatar, men and women have their own separate hairdressers and you don’t just have to have your haircut at the salon/barber’s shop. You can have a head and neck massage, you can have a manicure or pedicure, and you can have your eyebrows waxed! There are salons all over Doha and in the main hotels often too.
You will need to gen up on the Muslim holidays when living in Qatar as they are all closely observed. In terms of Christian holidays, you can get all you usually need to celebrate the likes of Easter and Christmas thanks to the influence of the large expat population and their demands!
You can ride horses in Qatar and have lessons by the hour – you can also watch horse racing with the emirate home to some excellent stud farms for example.
In terms of housing for expats living in Qatar – most expats rent villas in gated compounds, or they live in apartments. Some compounds have shared facilities such as pools and even a supermarket – and some expats love this way of living. Others hate it!
You can lose privacy in a compound and feel a little like you’re living in other people’s pockets sometimes, but then you have an immediate community and friends all around you – so it can have an advantage. It can be very nice for expat families where only one partner is working – as the compound allows the ‘trailing spouse’ to make friends rather than enduring enforced loneliness.
It will be up to you what you choose however – with choice determined by elements such as price, location and your accommodation needs and desires.
I
Unlike in the UK where we are fortunate not to have to carry ID cards, in Qatar once your residency visa is complete and has been issued, you will be given an identity card to carry.
Islam is the main religion in Qatar – you should brush up on some basics about the religion so that you can be sure you understand those in your host nation. For example, the five core pillars of Islam are belief, prayer, fasting, giving and pilgrimage.
K
If you’re planning a relocation to Qatar and you have kids in tow it can be a particular worry! You’ll wonder about their schooling, them making friends, you entertaining them and how they will settle in. The good news is that children are highly valued in Muslim society, and in Qatar in particular there is plenty for kids to get involved with.
There’s a zoo, theme parks, a water play park, mums and babies groups and even a baby gym! What’s more, the international schools have an excellent reputation, and the very fact that there are so many expats with children all living in Qatar means your child will not be bored or lonely.
L
For Western women, living in Qatar brings a new concept of ladies only - you have ladies only time at the gym or ladies only sections in certain businesses or offices – and some restaurants and even shops have family only sections or allotted times when men are only allowed in if accompanied by their family.
If you want to learn the local language then there are private Arabic lessons available through universities and language schools.
If you find yourself lost when driving in and around Doha, find a taxi and get them to drive to your destination whilst you follow them! Keep water in your car, keep your tank fairly full and don’t panic if you do get lost when first orientating yourself to the city and the nation, because it’s unlikely you will ever feel unsafe.
M
Qatar has excellent medical facilities, and healthcare can be free or heavily subsidised for all people thanks to the state’s public health service. The amount spent on health per capita has been recognised by the World Health Authority as one of the highest and best in the world – having said all of that however, as an expatriate it is highly likely that for anything other than basic or emergency healthcare, you will have to pay towards treatment.
An increase in the population is putting pressure on services available, and so you may want to consider taking out health insurance to supplement your care…particularly if you have a family with you, or you have any health concerns.
Mobile phones can be bought pay as you go or on contract – although you will need a bank account and residency to get the latter. It does work out cheaper on contract – but either way you will also have to produce your passport to get a mobile phone. If you prefer to pay as you go, top up cards are available practically everywhere.
Coverage in Doha is good.
Money matters to consider include the fact that the local currency is the Riyal which is made up of 100 dirham. Currently £1 is 5.67 QR…
Also, as you’ll be earning a handsome, tax-free salary (hopefully!) you may want to take advantage of your increased disposable income and save or invest it intensively whilst you can. Speak to a reputable, experienced, qualified and regulated independent financial adviser used to assisting expatriates as your financial position could be best served by going offshore for example. Ensure you take personal advice.
We will continue our A – Z of Qatar later this week as we aim to arm you with the basic information you need to enable you to enjoy a smooth transition into your new life living and working Qatar.
See also - http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/a-z-of-expatriate-life-in-qatar-part-1-10941 and http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/a-z-expatriate-life-in-qatar-3-10943