Hi Steve. Thanks for the message. I am trying to be fair with my experiences of which Qatar does have pros and cons. However, those cons are manageable 😂😂
Hi Richard, I think I've met you at HIA staff travel. I used to work at the national carrier. Great to hear your perspectives on life in Qatar. I have said the exact same thing to friends and family to describe Qatar - "You can walk around with gold jewelry and cash in hand at 3am with no fear of anything happening to you" that feeling of safety grows on you.
Hey Nahil, good to hear from you and hope you and the family are well. Thanks for the comment on the video, I think it is a fair summary of Qatar. Catch you very soon
As an Egyptian Muslim lives in Qatar i am sorry for your bad experience with that accident may be the Egyptian guy wasn't honest .. but really policemen are so fair but you have to tell him what happened accurately .. the most of accidents we just share the photos on an app without going to a police station if the fault is clear. and for Ramadan we as Muslims don't force anyone to not eat or drink we know that you are not Muslim so don't worry no one could talk to you take it easy you have not to leave the country at all. finally you all are welcome in our Muslim countries .. love and respect
Hi GoPrint, many thanks for your comment. To be fair, as a white man, I was warned about the process of what happens with the Police and that I would be seen to be the guilty party of such an accident. I witnessed this at the HQ when helping a friend who had been in an accident (of which it was classed as his fault - even though his car was parked legally and the vehicle whas not moving as no one was in the vehicle) and my experience. So, looking back, I get warning of the scenario, I then experience this helping a friend who's car was hit by another driver when his car was parked, and I have been involved in an accident where I was informed it was my fault where the change of decission was made when I showed the Police office the video. So, there must be some truth in this.
Hi GreenLeaf, thanks for the comment. I am trying to be fair to Qatar 🇶🇦 👍. It is going to be interesting over the next weeks whilst the football comes into focus. I assume there will be many negative comments from the media. Let’s wait and see 👍
@@bankruptpensioner to small a place to handle such an event...lack of mass people management in terms of needs...are the 2 main facts of this event.. however, they are good at media control and sugar coat cover ups... both things easier done in a small space of land... as you said its going to be interesting to watch from afar.
Love the way he explained everything in simple understanding details. Appreciate you making this video cause I’m leaving Los Angeles and moving to Doha for work on January 15th.
Hi Captain, many thanks for your comment. You are going to have a great time in Qatar. Tell all about your experience when you have setlled into you localtion.
Hi Guerilla, thanks for the comment. It's great to hear that this video brings value to the viewers :). Best of luck in moving over to Qatar. I am sure you will have a great time :)
My top tip to anyone making a trip for employment to the GCC countries is to learn some of the local language. This will show you as a confident individual who has some awareness of the local culture and customs. Also you will meet so many local people who will help you
Hi Pablo, thanks for the comment on the video. I have a couple of videos planned to help people thinking of moving to Qatar and will certainly look into the markeplace for audit and counselling for a future video :)
Mostly accurate however you don't need a degree to get a driving licence. Employers don't keep a portion of your pay. There is an end of service benefit paid by your employer at end of employment which is 3weeks pay for every full year you have worked for your employer. Loans are based on your earnings as in most countries. Don't ever threaten anyone, you will get arrested as technology in the country especially cctv is world leading. If you are disrespectful or cause trouble expect to be caught very quickly. Amazingbplace to work and live
Hi Mike, the license for your car is based on a combination of your job designation and your country of origin driving licence. In my case, my designation stated that if I have a degree, then I am able to get a license for a car. As I did not have a degree, then I was not able to get a driving license for a car. Motorcycle yes, but not a car. It is the designation that states what you can or cannot have. Ironic.....need to catch a taxi to fly an aeroplane out of Hamed international. Just one of the bizarre things. The end of year benefit is taken from your pay. Often is the case that this deduction from your pay is not mentioned clearly in the contract. Just making people aware that when they start work, their monthly net payment may be less than what they thought they would get. Loans in Qatar are very easy to get, especially when one is on a high monthly pay. In other countries to where I have lived, it is certainly much more difficult to get a loan. CCTV - thats really interesting, I never noticed the CCTV, but that said, I never looked up to see what was around me. Great point and yes, threaten someone, and it won't be good news for you. I agree, it is an amazing place to work and live :). Thanks for your comment, really interesting.
@@spidyman8853 from my perspective, yes. I was saving more than 50% of my monthly salary - and I had a great life over there. As long as you have the right skills and experience, a lot of money can be earned.
@@spidyman8853 Hi Spidy, I work in IT. I was a Project Manager (however I am highly technical as well) running a digital transformation in a large organisation based in West Bay, Doha. The need for a degree is partly a myth, certainly for Qatar. If you have the right skills, knowledge, and experience, you can find highly paid work out in the region. The problem with a degree is that loads of people now have a degree. The value of a degree is falling as so many young are going to university and picking easy courses just to get a degree - and then they think they should be paid lots of money as they have a degree. Well, this is just wrong. I have seen this all over the world. The young go to uni, get massive debts for the time they have spent partying, and then expect to walk into a job with lots of cash. So sad really. Also, I have found that most of the creative people (in IT) do not have degrees and their work is absoloutly brilliant. When hiring, I am not interested in a degree, I am interested in where the person has come from regard their interest in IT. Me, I started playing with computers from the age of 9. At the age of 14, I was programming for business applications for sock and inventory control. It all started there. There are so many opportunities for everyone, and having a degree is not always the thing that opens doors.
Hi Rocky, I am trying to give an honest opinion of living in Qatar - which is better than videos with lots of music and high life photos. It is not so easy to live in a country which is not your home country and when considering moving, you should understand how life is in your new country.
Hi Andy, when I arrived in 2019, I think new rules on licenses had been agreed/deployed. I knew a few people who had retained the right to their license from the time you had stated. New rules are currently in place to stop the number of vehicles on the road. I guess had I started in 2013, I would have had a driving license which confirms strange laws employed in the region. Thanks for your comment.
Hi James, thanks for the comment. You can get drunk but not in public. Legal drugs are available such as cigarettes etc. It may well be a form of control - but it does make for a safe place to be. Depending on a view point, this could be seen as managed heaven :)
Hi Fahd, thanks for the comment. If you are going to be working as cabin crew, I understand that the accomodation is offered from QA and, you are forced to stay in your accomodation when in your rest period. It is a strange approach from QA however, please do check that this does or does not apply to your role. Hope this helps.
@@fahdkamal1420 Go for it!!! Yes, as you are cabin crew, you may well be restricted to the time you spend in the accomodation. However, if you are taking family over with you, you can go rent a nice place and you will not be part of the scenario of being forced to stay in the QA accomodation in your rest period. To rent a property, you will need to have your residency card. This only take two or three weeks. I think........you will enjoy Qatar!!!
Maids being beaten if it's true, it's an individual act and not everyone is like that, just like in the US there are gangs and mass shootings all the time, it doesn't define everyone.
Hi Nadine, may thanks for your comment. I suspect that maids do get beaten - however - maids get beaten in every country. This statement does not mean that it is ok to beat your maid. Of course it is not and one should show respect to all humans, regardless of cread, race, or religion. Whoever is performing the beating will.......by default......be judged by their god and sent to wherever the bad people go. No help to the one who is being beaten. And remember, those who do beat people, are the real cowards of the world. No excuse for physical or mental abuse.
Hello, Richard! Thank you for the awesome video, very thorough. I am Portuguese and got offered the opportunity of working in Qatar, for a British company, with accommodation and meals included; My question is, do you think the living conditions and the pay will be relatively good, considering I've recently started my career? Thank you so much!
Hi, I suspect the pay in Qatar will be twice as much as what you could have earned in Portugal. If it is not twice as much, then you might want to consider if it is worth going. However, regardless of the pay, it would be a great life experience. I was paid only 40k QR per month. I had a reasonable lifestyle however, I spent little and focused more on saving my money. Does this help you?
Hi Drive Loco. It is amazing what news you hear in the media. Qatar is not perfect however no country is perfect. The local people are great and the majority of the ex-pats are happy. I have seen some strange behaviours and have seen an update on the news and I will be creating a video on this matter later this week hopefully. Thanks for your comment and do keep in touch :)
@@bankruptpensioner totally agree with you .middle Eastern countries are not perfect nor is any country in the world however it is astonishing that that western media has an agenda against Muslims and in particular Middle Eastern counties .
Loved the way you related your stay in Qatar!! Personally, I'd rather choose/consider (cities like) Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Manama to go on a (one-week) holiday (or even live for a short period of time, say, a couple of months), over (cities like) Doha, or Sharjah.
Great video thank you. My husband has been offered a job in Qatar but I’m unsure. We are in uk. Thing is I keep hearing horror stories from teachers as that’s what he is that if you break contract early they don’t let you leave or pay you. Everything is included in package, accommodation ect. It’s seems a no brained but I’m worried. We have 2 kids & wander how it will be for them
Hi CLS, many thanks for the comment. Firstly, let's confirm the import stuff. You and the kids will have a great time in Qatar. It is a very liberal country and it's the safest place on the planet. The weather is perfect however the summer months can be a little warm. I am fair skinned and although the sun is strong, I never got sun burn, I therefore assume the ozone layer over Qatar is nice and thick. I have never heard that the schooling over in Qatar is poor or bad (from a child's or parents perspective). As a family, regarding food and clothing etc, it's just like living in the UK regard products and their availability. SO - THAT should ease some of your concerns. NEXT - HORROR STORIES - You will always hear horror stories. These are probably from the teachers (very young teachers) that were constantly drunk every thursday night and all day friday. However, I was young at one point and moving to another country would have been a challenge and I would have seriously missed my friends and pets and all that stuff. As a young person, I would have not read the contract in detail and when it comes to committing the first six months in Qatar, it could have been a long time whilst missing the stuff from my homeland. YOU WILL always hear bad news. NO ONE tells you the good news because those people just get on with life. Six months is a long time, especially when you don't want to be where you are. In exceptional circumstances, your employer will not hold you in the country but they will support you and the family in the transitions. FINALLY - you are about to make new friends, you will be going to friends houses with the kids and having BBQs, you will enjoy the weather and the relaxed atmosphere from a social perspective. You will be paid more money than in the UK allowing you to save quickly and enjoy those savings upon your return to the UK (or whichever country takes your next fancy). The kids will learn new cultures and enjoy this. ULTIMATELY - I suspect within two month, you will be having a wonderful time and having few worries. A new culture will be great for all the family. Thursday night, you will be on the promenade at West Bay until midnight with the kids (sounds bizarre as this does not happen in the UK - keeping the kids up so late) and they will be running around doing what kids should be doing - enjoying themselves! I hope the above has helped allay some of your fears. Tell me what you are thinking now 👍 Any more questions............do not hesitate to ask!!!
Thanks Richard, I loved this review as it an honest review. Can you please share more about the apartment and perhaps do a tour, advice on lettings agents to approach, how you went about the agreement and breakdown on costs please?
Hi Jay. I do not have a tour. However. My work was based in West Bay, Doha. My work colleagues either stayed at an apartment in a hotel at the price of 18k QR per month. Others lived in The Pearl and were paying between 12k and 20k. I thought this was a waste of earned money so I went for a small apartment just 10 mins north of West Bay in a community called Onaiza. This appartment cost 5k per month. This include all bills such as water and electricity. This was a single bedroom with a small kitchen, a large lounge, and a large bathroom. A swimming pool was available and I used this regularly. The community was lovely and all the other people on the road were really nice. No need for a car so I used taxis to and from work etc. Agents, you can always negotiate. Get the agent to reduce the deposit. I paid a 5k deposit. The deposit will be lost if you cease the agreement early. The agreement will be for a year so be careful. If less than a years stay in Qatar, then get a hotel room at Ezdan Hotel in West Bay which is cheaper in the short and long term. There are many agents and they will come and collect you in their car and take you to the apartment that you are interested. There are no additional costs other than the deposit and the monthly payment. From your bank, you will get a cheque book. You will be expected to write 12 cheques for the 12 month contract, all cheques dated to the months through the year contract for the apartment. The cheques will be given to the agent and they will cash the cheques accordingly through the period of the contract. Does this help? Any further questions? Happy to help :)
Hi Richard i had a question if you dont mind. I wanted to know what the job turnover or firing culture on qatar within IT is like? Do they fire easily or do ppl quit more often? Was your leaving Qatar your choice or was it job termination? Im asking because im wondering what job stability is like in IT within Qatar?
Now that's an excellent question. Firstly, there is no job security in Qatar. Many fall into this trap and panic when they lose their contract having taken a large loan for a car or something similar. Secondly, your position can end at the most inopportune time. Bear this in mind. The point here is not to plan for the long term when working in Qatar. Each day is a blessing. That said, do not stress too much about the situation. My agent knew I was on a high pay, and my contract came to an end - replaced with someone who was 25% of my pay. Of course, the project failed in the end. I knew this was going to happen - just a matter of when. And while it lasted, it was good. Does this help?
@@A7hs1207 and to be fair to Qatar, the scenario I offer above, is the same in any country. USA, UK, Europe, Asia, Far East etc. If one's position is classed as an employee, one is at risk of someone higher making a decision. Sounds very negative, however, this is the cast, more often than not 👍
Thanks for the video! I've question: how much is the taxes in Qatar, for example if my salary will be QAR 13k gross, how much will I get in net? currently workin in EU income tax is insanely high, considering to relocate to middle east, thanks!
Hi, there are no taxes to your income in Qatar. It your contract says QR 10'000 per month (as an example), this is the amount you will be paid however (!!!), a small portion of that amount will be removed. This small portion is a banking solution for you. When you leave the employ of that employer, the total of this small amount removed monthly will be given to you as a lump sum. Again, this lump sum is not taxed. If you leave Qatar at the end of your employ, then that is the end of the subject. If you find another role in Qatar, then this banking solution starts again with your new employer. Again, at the end of your contract with the new employer, the lump sum will then be paid to you. Does this help? In summary, you do not pay income tax on your pay. You get the total amount from your contract minus the lump sum banking solution which is given back to you at the end of your contract with the employer concerned.
new subscriber im a pilipino this month I'm just waiting for a flight to Qatar. cause I have a 2-year contract to work at Ezdan Palace. this is the first time I'll be able to travel abroad.🙂
My Filipino friends are just the best people I know. Always smiling and having a fun time. It's great to hear you have a two year contract at the Ezdan. I am sure you will enjoy your time there and I am sure your contract will get extended. I am sure you know many Filipinos already out in Qatar. Do meet up with them and let them show you the best places. Good luck and do keep all of us informed of how your move to Qatar goes :)
Hi Bryan, I do not think there is a cut off date for working. I have seen consultants working in the 70's however, this is few and afr between. Over in Qatar, the older you are, the wiser you are.......which is sort of true as long as you can keep the marbles in your head working the right way :). Thanks for the comment :)
I had a couple of visits to the doctors. I found it very professional and of high quality and knowledge. Justr like being in any other 1st world country. There are a lot of very rich people that live in Qatar and as such, they will expect high standards. Make sure the healthcare insurance that your employer gives you covers your needs (and your families needs) as it can be very expensive - like most other countries. Dental care is excellent as well. Hope this helps.
@@bankruptpensioner It's me again, can you share on average how much do we need to pay for dental or a visit to a doctor if we get sick or anything, if we don't have an insurance. Just want to get an idea. Thanks in advance.
Hi sir, greetings from a Qatari citizen. I hope you enjoyed the life in Qatar. I just wanted to explain that the “myth” you talked about at 7:50 about Qataries “it is always your fault” is totally untruthful. I personally made an accident with an expact here in Qatar and I was mistaken, and the police just said “ it is your fault” and I respected that. By the way no one is above the law. It does not matter who he is and I’m sure if you lives more you would know more about the country and how lovely the laws are. Maybe it is not fair to become a pilot with a lot of experience but you can’t become a car driver, very wierd. If I knew you before I would help you to get a license. Anyway thanks fpr sharing. Cheers from Qatar 🇶🇦
Hello my friend. Your comment is really interesting however on induction to the country, I was informed that this 'myth' was a local rule. And for those who I have heard being in an acceident that clearly was not their fault (a parked car for instance), blame was certainly assigned to the non Qatari party. It is great that you saw fit to take the blame for an accident. However, it would be great if you could talk to the police commissioner on this matter and relay their thoughts. Thanks for the comment and most welcome from our Qatari friends.
Please I need a help, In coming to qatar, am a Nigerian, Am a graduate in Agricultural Engeering, And also a professional Teacher, with 3 years Experience, I got 2 years experience in sales and marketing, Please sir I need a sponsor who will help me to come over to qatar to work, to help me with the application of a visa and flight ticket when I arrived I will pay back after I found a job
Richard, many thanks for this video. Can you expand more on the bank's "cut" from the salary which they keep in a deposit? What's the amount, does the employer tell you about it?
Hi Marat, thanks for the comment. OK, by law, you have to forego an amount of your pay. This is cared for my your employer. Upon leaving the employer or leaving Qatar, the amount you have saved is then handed back to you as a lump sum. This basically stops people from leaving Qatar with no money in their pocket OR, you then have some capital to pay off loans to the banks that may well have been taken out whilst living in Qatar etc etc. This may help you: hlbhamt.com/all-about-end-of-services-gratuity-in-qatar/
Hi Winnie. Many thanks for the comment. I think you’re going to have a great time over in Qatar. If you have any problems, then do not hesitate to reach out to me for guidance. Have a great time and tell me what you think after you’ve been there for a month. Looking forward to hearing from you in the future.
In the traffic accidents law in Qatar it is always the fault of the car behind unless there is clear evidence like videos that shows whose fault is..as for the myth I’m Qatari and We have our share of car accident responsibilities..hope you enjoy staying in Qatar.Allah bless you
Hello Richard, thank you for sharing your experience, i am looking to move to Qatar with my family, we currently reside in Sweden. Anyways, i just wanted to let you know that i hope god grants you internal peace, you strike me as a non judgmental person who doesn’t buy into stereotypes easily. May God bless you and your family!
Hi Bot, many thanks for your comment. You will have a great time in Qatar with the family. Do not worry about the move, just go for it. The family will have a great time and they will have lots of fun in the swimming pool and the warmer weather offered in the middle east. Never been judgemental however living in a number of areas around the world allows you to see things in a different way - and not the way the media often portrays a country. Also, you will see the local news about Sweden from the Qatar perspective. It is amazing how the news portrays your home country from a different perspective. I have seen this from the countries that I have lived in and it is quite eye opening.......but good fun :)
Hi Richard, thanks for taking the time and share your amazing experience in Qatar. I'm a Canadian and thinking about working in Qatar. Where do you suggest I start looking to find jobs, are there any agencies, etc.?
Hi Falah, many thanks for the comment. I found the best way is to work with your local agencies, who can then hunt for the role you are looking for. You may well find that these agencies already have contacts in the middle east and as such can start to work on your desires for Qatar. Tell me how this goes.
Hello Mr. Richard, I am currently living in the EU being very unhappy with the way things are developing over here (in various aspects, mostly regarding politics and financial). I work in the IT field as an SAP consultant have a masters in computer science and it came to my knowledge that Gulf countries are putting lots of value in innovation and IT recently. Hence, I am seriously considering moving to either Doha or Dubai in the next 3-4 years. In that sense I’d like to ask you a couple questions if you don’t mind: Can you tell me how the job application procedure over there works? Here in the EU it’s mostly with online job platforms. However, I haven’t found many for Qatar for instance. How are the working conditions there? How much better would you say the pay is? Compared to Dubai, why would one move to Qatar? That’d be it. I’d highly appreciate if you could answer the above. 😊 Great video by the way - straight to the point no bs. Stay healthy all the best…
Hi Barb, thanks for the comment. I understand your concerns for the EU. However, let's focus on the questions. Your qualifications are perfects. SAP is in use over in Qatar so there will be roles out there. You will be in competition with your cheaper Indian counterparts so you need to offer something exceptional that they cannot offer (and to be fair, and no disrespect to the Indian guys, this should not be a major problem for you). Qatar or Dubai is just as good. You will have more fun in Dubai which means you will spend more of your earnings rather than saving your earnings when you exit and return to your homeland. Applications process - it is who you know, not the typical application process in the middle east. Make contact with the job agencies and make relationships in this space. This is how it is done in the middle east but as stated above, you need to offer something that the Indian guys cannot. These agencies have the right contacts and will look for you. Working conditions over there are far superior than in Europe. Start at 7am and finish at 3pm. None of this stupid stuff in the UK or Europe where we work 14 hours a day and get paid for 8 hours. None of that silly nonsense. So the conditions are good. In Qatar, you will have to go out and make friends or you will be very lonely - I assume the same for Dubai. The pay will be twice what you currently earn - and of course in Qatar, you pay no tax. In Dubai, I think you pay tax but it is very low. Why would I pick Qatar over Dubai? Qatar (for me) is a simple place compared to Dubai. One goes to Qatar to work and save up capital for when one leaves the country. That was my motivation. Had I been in Dubai, I would have partied harder and spend more money thus reducing potential capital saved. But that is just me, we are all different. Does this help somewhat?
I appreciate the quick reply - I subscribed to you already :) Im glad to hear that there is a market for SAP in the middle east. I would have been surpised honestly if otherwise. Regarding the competition I thought so as well. Im aiming to get promoted here first and becoming more senior in what Im doing so that it will be easier for me to land a decent job and salary of course. Im hoping that this will not be a major issue. Yeah, I believe that Dubai is more fun and of course this would make me spend more. I guess I dont really mind if its Dubai or Doha in the end. Wherever the job is Ill follow... OK interesting to hear that job applications work a bit differently there (rather than online applications). Good to know. How do you recommend me to get in touch with recruiting agencies or head hunters? Because Im not sure theyll stumble upon me by chance. I am surprised to hear that the working conditions are better there... Exactly, I worked 70 hours a week sometimes and I didn't even get any recognition for it, I didn't get any compensation whatsoever for it either as if I am expected to work this long... which is total bs. Here in Europe I find it quite easy to make friends since im quite the social person - you attend events, go to bars etc. But how does one make friends there, what does to "go out" mean? How do you connect with other expats? Twice is absolutely insane. I hope that money can be saved as well? How would you say the costs are compared to a city like London for example (accommodation etc)? I appreciate your help and dont want to bother much but im hoping that you can answer couple more :) I heard that is is important to negotiate benefits at the very start with the employer such as car allowance, visa for family, accomodation etc.... Are these common benefits there? Or would I have to fight for it to get such benefits? Thanks a bunch and much love @@bankruptpensioner
@@BarbarossaK Connecting with other expats? Ideally, you will have people from the same colour, creed, background as you in the business that you would work. This is the starting point. They will know where to go. I started at Champions Bar in the Marriot in West Bay. That was an eye opener 😆. Then the guys took be to Radisson Blue on the south side of Doha (on the same night) and that was just crazy. You will have a great time 😉. If no one with your creed in the business, then you need to go to the bars by yourself. Everyone talks to everyone 👍. You will have no problems Accommodation costs? It depends on where you want to live. The Pearl is very expensive. West Bay is just as expensive. I lived in Onaiza, which was half the price of both. Great place to live, no pretentious neighbours, very quiet, near to west bay where my office was located. You are there to build capital, no need to expensive apartments but that is just my opinion 😆. Benefits? First thing, be careful on the negotiation. One week before I was leaving to Qatar, the Indian accountant reduced my pay by some 10%. I took the reduction as i had no choice but i did state that due to this, I would only work the hours as per the contract and there would be no flexibility if needed by the project. Be careful!!! The only benefit you need to be concerned about is Health insurance. That's all !!! Nothing more. Everything else, such as car allowance, flower allowance, fresh air allowance etc etc etc is irrelevant. Taxes in other countries tax benefits differently based on what the benefit is. In Qatar, there is not tax on anything therefore, you should be looking at the total number. Hopefully, you understand this as it is important. Visa for family should not be a problem. Take into account that you will be paying for the education for your kids when negotiating to total package. Taking the family? I would suggest going by yourself for the first couple of months. This allows you to confirm that you are happy with the business and the projects you are working on. If not, you can easily eject yourself from the business and the country, returning to your homeland etc etc. If all is OK, then bring the family over. I have seen it where things have not gone so well and managing a family just adds to illogical decision making from a personal perspective. Let's face it, you might not get what you thought you were going to get. I am quite risk averse 😆 Does this help and are we going in the right direction?
@@bankruptpensionerhiya Mr pensioner I wanna come to Qatar I m Bachelor of business administration qualification, meanwhile got experience in usa customer service in india n Hindi call centre, so I wanna come to Qatar for any job i dunt wann to job in customer service field apart from other any jobs I wann do .Will u hlp me out for this???? Provide me a job in Qatar in my company??
Never had any money deducted from monthly salary. Got a lump sum End of Service payment based on percentage of basic salary multiplied by length of service in line with labour law.
Hi Andy, your montly salary will have been agreed by contract. A percentile of that amount would be retained by the accounting team of the organisation to which you worked. The end of service payment would have been made from the amount that had been retained.
Great content, you have covered all dimensions . Next month I am relocating to Qatar and I had accommodation and transport concern. Now I am fine . If you can put some lights on changing the sponcer. What is the Qatari rule and what are the things should avoid?
hi Pravesh, many thanks for the comment. Super pleased that the video has helped you. And good luck for next month 😄. Sponsor - you are being pulled to Qatar by the sponsor. The sponsor will expect you to do your job and when your job is complete, you can then look for another job (which means a new sponsor). Changing sponsor is nothing to do with you. Your next sponsor will manage the transfer from your first sponsor to the new sponsor. It is very easy. As long as you have demanded and transferable skills, getting a new job (and new sponsor) will not be a major problem. Firstly, go enjoy your work with your first sponsor 😄
Hi Richard, I plan to move to Doha with my family to work with their national oil company. What are the restrictions with regards to clothing for men and women. I am moving from Dubai so know it will be lot different.
Hi Rajiv, many thanks for the comment. Qatar is very liberal in its clothing, not unlike Dubai. I suspect you will find the way you dress in Dubai is more than acceptable for Qatar. I think you will be just fine :)
hey richard! what a pleasant surprise! i randomly stumbled across your page :) it was lovely having coffee with you and talking watches :) I sold you two Seikos (007 and pepsi baby tuna) :) hope you remember
Hey hey - of course I remember. What a great chat we had. Hope you are still into the watch scene, it's a great little hobby. Hope you and the family are doing well :)
Hiya Richard! Omg this video is so informative, thanks! Was just wondering if you could enlighten me a little since you mentioned Nursing. I am nurse here (England) and can’t seem to find much info on salaries for Nurses in Qatar. I get this is not your field but do you happen to have any insight? Cheeeeersss.
Hi, as you are coming from the UK, you would be looking at a monthly pay in total of QR30'000. This is about £6000. Of course, no tax however, some of the 6000 will be held back for when you leave qatar. If I remember, this is about 8% of your monthly pay. Therefore, if you stay a year, your exit payment would be your last monthly pay plus the a further months pay which you saved over the year period. Hope this helps???
Thank you for such an informative video. I currently live and work in Qatar. You mentioned the rent at the pearl, your pay and general pay and I giggled a bit (waaaaay above my pay scale) As a citizen from a third world country, what advice would you have for me to negotiate a better pay in my current company/ new company?
Hi Chrisanta, this is a really good question. So, I assume you have real skills that are required in Qatar. If this is true, then you should be in a position to negotiate or move forward. Asking a current employer (sponsor) can be difficult. However, what I would do is consider what increase I want (for example QR3000 per month) and then add more on top (so the number is now QR5000). This gives your employer the ability to reduce the request or a pay increase down from QR5000 to QR3000. They think they have a good deal, and you actually got what you wanted (QR3000). That said, you will need to ask your employer how you get to that pay rise. If you were in my team, I would be giving you more responsibility and you should be prepared to have that discussion of responsibility. Look how your work actually works, and tell them you can bring improvements (continuous improvement) that will ultimately allow them to save money by giving you the extra QR3000 (for example). The second option is finding another sponsor. This can be harder than you think. Finding another sponsor can be the easy part however, you cannot start your new job if your current sponsor does not allow you to leave their sponsorship. I have seen this problem a couple of times and ultimately, the person ends up leaving the employ of the original sponsor and has to return to their homeland. Therefore, the first option is best. Speak to your boss, or even better, your bosses boss. Talk about a career plan within the business and see if they open to this sort of conversation. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck. BTW - living on the Pearl is simply pretentous :)
Love this honest review 💯. Actually working towards permanent relocation in Dubai and was looking for some other great locations I can visit and explore while residing in Dubai. Qatar certainly sounds very great. Could you give an estimate of 3-4 star hotel per night cost in Qatar inbtw
Hi, booking a hotel is best performed through Booking.com. I find it easiest. If you are looking for a couple of nights break, then I would recommend staying in West Bay within Doha. This is a great central place. To the south and a nice walk along the promenade (1 hour), is Souq Waqif. A great maket place with lovely cafes. West Bay has the city shopping centre and the various bars and restaurants. You can catch a taxi north to The Pearl (10 mins). Great place to visit and wine and dine. Lovely places to be. Dont go in the summer months, it is simply too hot. November thru March is great weather and nice temperatures. Hope this was useful :)
Best Doha video I have ever seen. Just had few question, how your experience of driving bike and what kind of bikes are available. Good place to live in doha when your office is in west bay. what are the effects of FIFA on rent
Hi Abhay, many thanks for the compliment. I am trying to create videos on this beautiful country but with an honest or common sense approach. I certainly do not have the skills to create such great videos like one finds on youtube however, I find that such creativity can dilute the messages. Or maybe I am getting too old 😊 OK - a few questions here. Riding bikes in Qatar/Doha. The only problem is the heat in the summer. Riding is no major problem as long as your machine can keep up with the traffic. I would recommend a cc of 400 or above. I have seen little 125cc bikes riding and the fast traffic does make it look very scary for those little bikes. I have had a few bikes and most of my bikes were purchased from lovely people advertising on Qatar Living. You can download the app for android or apple and view what is available. When checking the bikes, make sure that you have an idea on the mechanics. If not, get a friend to come with you. The price advertised will always be reduced so do haggle. Clothing and helmets can be obtained from the various bike shops across the Doha city. All the bikes you might want are available in Qatar. Riding bikes in Qatar continued. Whilst I rode my bike to work and for shopping etc I did do other things. There are a couple of groups that go out for a group ride on a Thursday night. This makes riding great. We would meet up at about 9pm, and then ride to about 2am the following morning. This is a great way to meet likeminded people. You have to join one of these groups. Take the wife/girlfriend etc on the back of your bike and you will have a great time. These people are the best. You can find the groups on FaceBook - or……if you see someone who looks like a serious biker on a Harley, just stop them and ask. I assure you, there is a good chance they will be in a group and will really welcome you to the group. Where to live close by to West Bay. I lived in a flat in the area of Onaiza. This is only 2 miles from West Bay. This cost qr5000 a month and was a simple place with a small pool. I appreciate that qr5000 is a lot of money to some, however it suited my budget. I did not want to waste my money in the Pearl where the rent was some qr15000 and even more. You can always haggle with the property management teams, and do so. A friend had an apartment in walking distance from West Bay. Very simple but that was about qr3500. It was clean and small but worked fine. The point being there are always options if you look around. Note, you will not be able to rent a property until you have your full residency card. When you rent, you will write 12 forward dated cheques for the property team. The cheque book will be made available to you from the bank to which you monthly pay is paid. Assuming you live in Onaiza, it is a great ride to West Bay in the morning. Short, but nice. FIFA. Mmmmmmmm. The hotels that have apartments are moving their customers (who live in Doha) out of their apartments. And they are having to look for other accommodation. The prices are rising dramatically. That is the short answer. The management are very short sighted in this approach however, this is quite typical with the people employed in the country. I find it incredible that for a 6 week period, the hotels are to become empty trying to cater to FIFA visitors who will simply not be able to afford the hotels and their rising prices. Maybe the hotels are just for the football teams only and not the visiting fans. I do not think that Onaiza will be affected by this so maybe those who are being kicked out of West Bay hotels will simply move out to other places like Onaiza. I know that the prices for the Pearl are on the rise as well and people there are being moved out. That said, once FIFA is complete, I assume that most people living in Qatar will leave as Qatar has nothing more to offer visitors and workers alike. FIFA is Qatars last and final major project with little planned for the future. I have suggested on many occasions some great ideas (especially in the field of education) where Qatar could be really competitive. But that seems to fall on deaf ears. Short minded approach with little strategy. I hope you found this useful. Thumbs up if you did. And feel free to ask more questions.
@@bankruptpensioner thanks the information. You explained that very good. I would love to see more videos from you plus you explain from heart and do not dilute the message in creativity which makes you better than any other channel
Hi Richard, In your experience, I wonder if you can share what will be the a substantial family expat package for someone professional in the hospitality industry. Cheers mate
Hi Jose, no idea on this one. I suspect it will be quite low and unless you are in management, I also suspect that a family package will not be offered. I hope I am wrong but please do share your knowledge on this subject to the rest of the viewers :)
Hi Z, schools are good and day care is good. May have theire kids in kindergarten and it works well. A friend has a 2 year old who goes vertually everyday and loves playing and learning from the school. Don't worry, you will be fine.
Hi Faraz, many thanks for the comment. Thank you for the compliment. I am thinking of creating a new update. Watch out on the channel for the future :)
OK, so the basics are that to live in Qatar, you will, 99% of the time, be there to work. To work in Qatar, you will need a sponsor. The sponsor is the owner of the organisation that you will be working for. This owner/director etc is going to be a Qatari. How much work and direction this Qatari brings to the organisation differs on their capability from a business perspective and their general interest in the business they direct/own. It is unlikely you will ever meet this Qatari however. All this is in the processes of getting people on board from other countries. You cannot go over to Qatar and start a business. You will always have a sponsor which basically meets the above. So, if you want to start a business in Qatar, your first challenge is finding an appropriate Qatari sponsor. As an example, Vodafone is a telecoms business in Qatar. Whilst Vodafone is global, to be in Qatar it needs a sponsor - a Qatari. Once again, this Qatari probably has little interest in comms but is on the board of directors etc etc. I would expect little direction from the Qatari sponsor. HOpe this explains the situation enough for all to understand.
@@JohnCena-ex6zt Hi John, thanks for your comment. The world cup appears to have been a great success, although the media may well not present it that way - but the media just loves to generate bad news. From my understanding, once the world cup is done, many people who work in Qatar will be removed and sent back to their home countries. The work is done. only enough will be left in the country to ensure the oil and gas keeps flowing (of course) and the malls and coffee shops will be kept open to catar for the Qatari's and those who remain in Qatar to manage local stuff. I would hope the Qatari's have something up their 'sleeve', but I suspect not. I have not heard anything from my people in Qatar and all seem worried that they will be kicked out of the country next year. Let's wait and see if their is 'a rabbit in the hat' :)
Thanks for the information. Did you face alot of competition from the east asian countries in terms of finding your job since you work in the IT sector?
Good point. Yes, you are fighting the cheaper competition. And, the bean counter is usually Asian so you are fighting their thoughts based on their local economy. I got hired through w white man. I suspect had the hiring manager been Asian, I would have not got through to the interview stage. Just a thought. Who you know, not what you know I guess
Like Richard rightly says, it's all about building contacts and networking for job opportunities anywhere in the GCC area. I would also hasten to add, that racism is more common place than say in the EU or US due to the lack of laws (western Indian/pakistanis are treated the same as those from the sub continent) . Also bear in mind that laws or 'decrees' as they call them can change at very short notice.
Sometimes the salary scale is given according to your level of experience and the country of origin, e. g if you are from Africa can't earn as same someone from either Europe or Asia.
Very informative video Richard! what impressed me a lot is, you being a pilot can't have a driving license for not having a degree, is that right? do the Indian, Pakistani etc taxi drivers have a degree?
Hi Humberto, thanks for the message. Yes, this is right. I tried to get a driving licence for a car but the computer at the poilce headquarters refused this. So, why is this the case? When you get a job in Qatar, your role title in your job is given a designation. Basically, what this means is there are somethings you can and cannot have based on your role, the designation, and your certification. Due to my designation, it stated that if I had a degree, then I could have a car licence (and on the understanding that anyone can have a motorcycle licence regardless of deisgnation). As I did not have a degree, the computer stated that I could not have a car licence. To be fair, the chief of police was very good and they looked into this rediculous situation however, someone had programmed the computer system used within the police in such a way that the system could not be overridden based on human logic/situation/common sense. As such, no driving licence for a car. So, most days I would go to work on a motorcycle (Triumph Thunderbird 1700cc) which was great fun. A little impractical however, but you do get used to it. In the summer months, a taxi was used (Uber - its the only way to not get ripped off by the taxis that are in turquoise color). So, the taxi drivers will probably not have a degree. However, they would have a different designation to me - which this alternate designation ultimately allows them to drive a car professionally and charge customers for their service. So, its all about the designation. It's all a little bizarre but it is what it is. Hope this helped :)
@@bankruptpensioner hello Richard I dont find your email address and when I put here my email address, youtube seems to don't approve it and deletes the comment (did it twice already).
Thanks a lot for your good explanation. May I ask about the payment range? In comparison to EU countries, with a good engineering job, you can have a good life and some monthly saved money over there? Is it worth working there for some years in order to save some money and again come back to EU?
Hi Mohsen. So, I was working in the UK. I had a gross salary of N of which some 40% of that gross was taken by the UK government either directly (income tax) or indirectly (VAT). When I moved to Qatar, my gross salary from the UK was doubled. Therefore, I received Nx2. The Nx2 was not taxed. The net effect was I was getting 3x my UK salary. Whilst accomodation is relatively expensive in Qatar, I was able to save over 50% a month of my salary. When I left Qatar, I had my savings and my final exit payment from my employer. I therefore left the country with a lot of money. Is it worth staying there for a few years - YES! You will enjoy the lifestyle and as long as you don't do silly things like buy Range Rovers and drink in the bars everynight, you will save like you have never done before. Coming back to the EU? Imaging having more than a years pay in your bank account when you return to your homeland (EU). When you don't have the pressure of finances, you think differently. Because you think differently, you can do so much more than you thought as the pressure from daily finances is removed. This is a good thing as this allows you to be more creative in your thinking. In engineering, I think this ability to think more creatively would benefit all as a whole. That is what I have found in my IT roles since leaving Qatar. I am more pragmatic, more asertive, and present possibilities with common sense. It is a win win for all. Hope you found this useful, inspiring etc.
Hi F, thanks for the comment. Never worked for QA but, I hear they are good. Based on air hours, I do understand they like to force you to stay in your accommodation however, to be fair, this is reasonable allowing enough rest hours.
It's not a Myth But a Reality If Any Unwanted Incidents Happen Whether its Road Accident Or Sm Thing Else its Always Ur Fault And Not The qatari's Fault. Most Of My Family Members Have Experienced This.
I personally and nor have my friends experienced this however, it is interesting that you confirm my thoughts of a local rule. I was clearly instructed that should you have an accident, and that a Qatari was involved, then it would be my fault regardless of who was really to blame. However, an interesting response from a Qatari just one day after your post. Take a look
I drive a GTI too and not once in my 3 years and 8 months of driving on the road did I ever get harassed because it's a small car. I live in Dubai though.
Hi Tea, to be fair, when driving my hire car in the first few weeks of time in Qatar, I did not notice the harassment. However, people who drive smaller cars (compared to a big 4x4) tend to drive a little slower than other cars. Maybe it is those drivers that feel there are being harassed. Thanks for the comment :)
wishing you a happy new year, Richard. I am considering visiting for a couple of weeks myself in the hope of finding employment. Where is the best place to start looking over there, how easy is it to find work? I only have my O'Level and A'Level and years of IT and clinical administration work experience, but every website asks for candidates with a degree.
Hi Jennie, many thanks for the comment and question. The middle east has this thing about degrees however, they also need to recognise that not everyone with a degree is great at their job. So, apply for jobs regardless if you have a degree or not. You say you have years of IT and clinical experience, well this is going to get you to the top of the pile of CV's. So do apply. Don't expect the first one to accept you and don't be disheartened if they don't. Qatar relies so much on outside help especially in IT/Clinical. If you know someone who is already in Qatar, then use them to push your CV around. Visiting without anything lined up may well not bring the result you expect. Make a few calls/emails etc prior to landing in Qatar. And then use that two weeks to visit people that you have contacted. Being face to face will help a lot. They like face to face out in the middle east. And whilst you are there, you can have some fun in the sun. Tell me how it goes :)
Hi. I understand that qr20’000 a month is about the pay however, some doctors receive qr40’000. You should be able to speak Arabic. If you are western, and have a specific specialty, then you may well get more than qr40’000. The pay it would appear, is not particularly great in Qatar
Hi Richard thanks for the video, can I ask what your job role is? And is it realistic that high qualified workers (for example IT Manager) can expect a much higher salary compared to Germany/US/UK? maybe even something crazy like double the amount of gross income (+in addition to the tax saves!)? Thanks in advance for your response
Hi Black, many thanks for your comment. My role in Qatar was a Programme Manager in the IT space. So.....you won't be able to double your pre-tax salary. If you do try, the accountant will pass you by regardless of how good you are. I asked for 40% above my gross to which the agency agreed. However, one week prior to me going over, the agent reduced my pay by some 15%. As you can imagine, I was not happy. Everything was in place and I had no option but to go over to Qatar (which was a good decission to be fair). I did state to the agent that as my pay had been reduced, they have now lost my flexibility to work beyond the stated fixed hours. Therefore, my pay was reduced but my hours of play and sleep was increased - balancing out perfectly. In the work place, this approach did become a problem therefore a few bonus's were paid to me and I did a little flex on certain production releases - but only a little. Do be careful on this approach with the agent. If you get an offer, and its contractual, it means nothing until you are in Qatar. Be prepared to stop your move to Qatar right up to the last minute. Hope this helps and the best of luck getting over to Qatar. I am more than sure you will have a great time if you go. Reach out when you get there :)
@@bankruptpensioner Hi Richard, thank you very much that helps me a lot! I really appreciate the experience you are sharing since valuable information is not abundant. Do you think you will be better off signing a contract directly with the local company or is working with an agency at home better/more save? And I’m also wondering how hard it is to change jobs. I mean you are highly experienced and the demand for professionals seems to outweigh the „supply“ by a lot or am I mistaken? In the end it’s not only about the money but for me example, I have 3 kids so moving there alone from Germany is a big sacrifice
@@blackkodiaq9878 Hi Black. Signing with business or go through agency? Qatar, as lovely as it is, is a very lazy culture. If they can, a business will offload their work to a third party - in this case an agency. And often is the case that the agency is sponsored by the same Qatari owner (as all businesses in Qatar do have a lead from a Qatari perspective). It is unusual on ones first role to be directly connected to the business however, this does happen. Once you are in Qatar, finding another role (when your project is complete) can be achieved however, you need to make the right Qatari contacts to make this happen. What you want to do is to be invited to another role, rather than having to apply to another role. Making your Qatari contacts will make this happen. If you are in Qatar, and have a residency permit, your chance of being invited to the next role are much higher than coming from the outside (via an agency). And to be clear, if their is an invite for a role, that role will go no where near an agency so.....if you see roles via an agency, then it looks like the business is having problems recruiting internally to the country. Moving alone......if you can take your family, then it would be a great experience for all. This is not possible in a lot of situations. Business are a bit wierd over there. If you go alone, then they may expect you not to leave the country for 6 months. Therefore, you would need to bring the family out to you to come see you. This is no major problem I guess. If you are alone, then making contacts as stated above, with Qataris, is no major issue. Just spend time with them and go on the various food meetings they have and make good friends. I found the male population (Qataris) are not quick decission makers in business, so let them know you are saving the day for their business. Whilst not great decission makers, they do have great memory and will take this into account as business change is performed. They will share your name with other businesses where you may well be able to help on some of their challenges. If you do take the family, then you can still perform the aforementioned, however, you will need to balance time required by the family - and the family will need your support in a big move to the middle east. Does this help?
Hello, really enjoy this video. Want to know about relationships. I met a guy vía dating app and he want me to go, meet each other in person and if we both want it go and live with him as a couple (gf/bf) but then I read that this is forbidden but he said that a lot of expats (he has a great and well remunarated job) do this but quietly and will not have any problems. What can you tell me about this? Thanks in advance .
Hi Lisette. Yes, what you have explained does happen. Go for it. Just be careful and don't advertise it to your work colleagues etc, friends yes, but not work. I hope you both have a healthly relationship and enjoy your time together. If I were you, and this assumes you are both madly in love with each other, you should both plan your exit route from Qatar and understand how this exit would work/happen. Remember, Qatar is a transient country. You will leave, not if, but when. Hope this helps.
Hi P, Qatar is Qatar. Very similar to other places in the region. I think Qatar has so much more to offer in the world however, they country has a passive 24 hour approach.
@@spidyman8853 Hi Spidy, generally speaking, I will go anywhere that needs delivery of technology. I am ok with going into a war as long as the relevent support is available etc. An aeroplane would also be nice allowing me to fly myself out if required. It also assumes the renumberation is in line with the risk of danger. So, yes, I would to South Arabia etc.
Hi Samsung, many thanks for the comment and for the PS regards being a cool guy. I wish my kids thought that :). My industry is within IT. I manage large digital transformations for businesses that require that kind of work. I have always worked in IT and started very young in the lat 1970's as a child, programming computers. I then progressed to management, then up to executive management. I then realised that the executive layer does not particularly bring great value to the customer, so I came down a level or two allowing me to influence the quality of the product being delivered to the customer. That is where I am now. I used to fly aeroplanes as well but that is another story. Due to the rating of aircraft (specialist) I fly and the aircrafts capabilities, I have maintained my minimum hours and licence.......just incase a customer needs some specialist work. I no longer apply for jobs. I usually get head hunted by agents. If the job sounds interesting and fun, I then accept it. I am now 55, and I can honestly say, I have not needed to apply for a job for the last 25 years, they have always come looking for me. This head hunting is not so unusual in the IT sector. For my work in Qatar, this is exactly what happened. Head hunted, one conversation with the lead in Qatar, then over to Qatar to do the work. Hope you found this interesting and informative. :)
@@bankruptpensioner Glad to hear, wish you many more years of success. Amazing to hear that have been in the IT sector for such a long time. My IT skills are sadly limited to watching TH-cam videos. You come across very genuine hence "cool guy", take care my friend.
Thank you Richard for your inputs - I would like to ask for your opinion on - What I should be asking in terms of package for a Product&Marketing related position which is paid around 70k Euros in Germany ( almost same around 60-70k£ in the UK) -- I am keen on going so it wouldn't be a sacrifice for money but still want to get paid well, live comfortably and save enough for future. What advice would you have? Around how much should I be looking to ask? and it is the most reputable company from Qatar worldwide. Thank you very much
Hi Alan, thanks for the comment. This is how I would work it out - and let's look at it from the UK perspective (tax and all other). If by gross (before tax deduction etc) salary was £70K, then I would be expecting somewhere in the region of about 75 or 80K in Qatar. I assume the taxes in Germany are differnt to the UK but you will get the idea. In the UK, when I work abroad, I do not have to pay taxes to the UK. I also assume this is the case for Germany. If I had to pay taxes back to the UK, I would then add that yearly amount to the mentioned 75/80k. Don't be too greedy, this then gives you an advantage or being good value for money. Tell me how it goes with your application. You then have the choice - do I party and leave Qatar (because you will at some point in the future) with no money OR....live relately frugal and save like you have never been able to save before. Also - you will find the working culture in Qatar to be bizarre and often frustrating - expecially if you are coming from Germany where efficiency is the priority :) But thats OK, because you will have a great time living in Qatar. Does this help?
@@bankruptpensioner Thank you very much Richard, I am aware of the working culture. (as much as I can be without being there). Considering this I will be asking the same amount of salary what I get here, minus the income tax. I think that's a pretty reasonable approach. So my thinking is, yes I want to experience this but why would I also leave the social security and efficient work culture in Germany and go for an amount that wouldn't make huge difference. So I guess hiring experts from Europe would come with its price. Anyway, this is the conclusion I have so far - Thank you so much for your comment.
Hi, accomodation in Qatar can be quite expensive. the tax free wages certainly help to offset the cost of the accomodation. And trust me QR6000 is not expensive in this region. Thanks for the comment and see you very soon.
ONLY 6000QR????! Get me out of Seattle 😵😵😵 we're paying $3000 here for an apartment.... I would go to Pennsylvania but it's too much of a hillbilly place to live no offense
Hi Khan, many thanks for the comment...........and a very good question. Qatar has its own classified site. This can be used from a computer or you can download the app from apple on android. The site is called Qatar Living. This is where most people find their properties for rent. Once you get connected to a property advisor, they can then help you find the property that you want. This is the address: www.qatarliving.com/ Hope this helps and the best of luck:)
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the response. How did you land that job? I’m looking to maybe do something like that. Move to the gulf to work and make more money. I’m taxed almost 40% in New York. Its ridiculous.
hi, you said you need a degree to get a drivers license. what do you mean degree? i thought you’re able to get a drivers license as long as you have one in your home country.
Hi Amberlight, a degree - certification of passing the exams at the university. It's not just the degree but the combination of your qualifications and the role you perform whilst at Qatar. There are attributes within your role that state you can do this or that based on qualifications. This is the stupid bearocracy of the country and world to be fair.
Hi do you know if there is an option to find a job as seo specialist in quatar ? and is it good idead I m from europe but in my country you dont get a good salary so my goal is to where it would bo more preferable thank you
Hi Jop, best idea is work with the local agencies to you. They will help find a role in SEO however, you may find that working remote from where you live may well be an option as well. Reach out to the agencies in your country 👍
Hi Georgia, many thanks for the comment. It really depends on the job and from where you are coming from. The same job - people from India get less than those from Europe and USA etc etc.
Great video. Thanks. I am planning to get a lecturing job in any Qatar university and move with my family. Please can you give me more tips about that? Private chatting if you don't mind
Hi Richard it's really nice having many qualified information from your video. Can you share some information or average salary of being employee as specialist in Qatar telecomunication company (for example Ooredoo) ?
Hi Me Nov, many thanks for the comment. It's great that this video brings you some value and I am trying to be balanced in the information that is offered allowing you the viewer to make some informed decissions for your life. I suspect an engineering specialist for Ooredoo would be on about QR15'000 a month however, it really depends on where you are locating from. If you came over from India, the pay would be less. If you came over from the USA, then the pay would be more. It is a little bizarre however this is how the system works. Hope this helps :)
Hi Y26, thanks for the comment. Please ask your questions here. We can then share the learning with others who are thinking of making a leap to Qatar :). Looking forward to your questions :)
@@bankruptpensioner hey mate, sorry for the late reply. I wanted to think long and hard before coming up with a list of questions for you. I hope you dont mind the long list, I may have a few more as time goes by if you dont mind... I am planning my move to Qatar very soon to start work which will be located in Doha festival city. 1. which suburb would you recommend I rent in? I'm in search of a nice 2 bed apartment no more than 6k QAR/pm that will be easy for me to commute to and from work. I hear the driving is bad there and I am a bit nervous about this... so looking for an area that has a good public transport system and isn't traffic heavy until I am okay on the roads. btw, I'm a bit of a lazy bum so the closest suburb to place of work is preferred. 2. would you recommend to go with a furnished or unfurnished apartment? 3. preferred bank to use? do the banks have their own mobile apps so I can add to my phone and pay as I go? 4. preferred mobile/internet provider? 5. what is the work culture like over there? In Aus its extremely laid back and all companies are hybrid/remote over here. One of my biggest fears is leaving my very laid back job with hands down the best managers and going into a toxic work culture environment with harsh conditions... more to come as I think....
@@yolmetec26 Hey, here we go. So, when you arrive in Qatar, you will go in a hotel. This is the case until you get your residency permit. Once this is in hand, you can then rent an apartment etc. That does not mean that you should not look in the meantime. Get a feel for what your budget will get you in your rented car (see below). 1. If you are working near festival, then get a place near there. It's a nice enough place and you should easily get an apartment for about 6k if not less. Do negotiate with the realtors as people are now leaving Qatar so the market is in your favour. Driving is not as bad as you think. In the summer months, walking to work is not really an option, a car with AC is the way forward. Once settled in your hotel, look on the QatarLiving app (OS and Android download app (download this now so you get a feel of the market over in Qatar before you arrive)) for available cars for sale (the prices are highly negotiable as the seller is often in a short time period before they leave the country). I bought plenty of motorcycles from there and there are plenty of cars available. You cannot own a car until you have your residency permit however......you can rent a car until your residency is available. You should also think about renting a car after you have your residency. You can get some good deals. Check the Istamara (annual road worthyness certificate) and the insurance that would come with the car. The car is insured, not you. 2. Furnished. They come quite sparse so you can always add additional furniture. IKEA is at the Festival shopping centre (of which Festival is massive and has all you would ever want). 3. The business you work for will dictate the bank you go with. It's not your choice. Within a few days of being in Qatar, your business will send you to the bank to have an account created for you. All the banks have apps so no worries there. It really is easy stuff. 4. I was with Oredoo and found them to be great. Vodafone is also available. Pay monthly at a set fee or just top up as you need it. Up to you and the app allows you to top up from your bank. So very easy. 5. The work culture is fine. Stand your ground with your boss and collegues. This is what they will expect. I started at 7am and finished at 3pm. I suppose it depneds on the role you have on the hours you will work but you will be fine. Go out with your work collegues and their families. If you don't, it can get very lonely so go enjoy yourself (everyone else is so join the party). You will normally have friday and saturday off and work on sunday. Your new weekend is therefore friday and saturday. Most people who work in Qatar ride a wave and do take it easy. Don't burn yourself out as your team mates may think this strange. And the safety aspect of living in Qatar is defo worth the move. Does this help????
@@bankruptpensioner cheers mate, really appreciate the lengthy and informative response from you! 1. You mention people are now leaving Qatar. Out of curiosity, why is this the case? I thought we were all fleeing over, lol! Would you then suggest I hang on to a rental car as opposed to buying one? Which option is more cost effective? 2. Thanks for this. I have been looking at Lusail and Al Nasr. They seem quite close to festival when I pop the location on to google maps it says its about an 11min drive. Hoping thats accurate-ish? Are these traffic heavy areas? I have also been looking at Al Wakra as the housing there seems quite affordable. Location distance to festival says approx. 30 mins drive. Thanks heaps once again on the very detailed info. Super helpful!
@@yolmetec26 So....really good questions :) 1, most of the work for Qatar is now complete and many are leaving for that reason. The football is finished, and the stadiums are being removed (donated to the next country which is a good thing) therefore the management of this and other infrastructure stuff is starting to slow down. Qatar has a limited view of what it can bring to the world and when I was there, there interest in some of my ideas were not really considered. We need to understand that through oil and gas, the Qataris have all the money they need and as long as the shopping malls and restaurants can be made available to those, then life continues - but you don't need so many to control the infrastructure. I suspect building projects will begin to slow down as there is plenty of accommodation to satisfy a reducing population. Of course, this is only my thought. 2, Lusail. You may struggle to find accommodation for 6000. I lived in Onaiza where 6000 will get you a nice apartment in a villa, probably with a pool. It is close to West Bay (shopping and entertainment) and close to the Pearl for days and evenings out. In the morning, traffic will tend to move in the opposite direction to you if you are travelling to Festival, which is a good thing. Same on the afternoon run home. So you should be ok regards traffic. All you need to be concerned about is the air con in your car. It needs to work and work well :) Onaiza is a good option and should be considered. Al Wakra - forget it. You will have to travel through the morning and afternoon traffic. It will drive you crazy and waste your precious time in traffic jams. Rental cars. OK.....2000 to 3000 a month. And that’s for a normal car. The problem with people in Qatar is that you get a rush of what feels like tax free income and then you go buy an expensive car that may well be out of your financial reach in you homeland (possibly with a loan from the bank - of which they will give you massive loans). You then find you have a 4 week notice period from your employer and you need to get rid of the car. You can struggle and then sell it at a heavily reduced price etc etc etc. It is very easy to get into this game/trap/situation. What I would do is get something for 20,000qr like a Mazda 2, run it and then when you need to sell it, it will sell easily enough as the market for those who can afford to buy that vehicle is much larger. Motoring is very cheap in Qatar so servicing etc is not a problem. In my video, I stated there are two types of men that leave Qatar, those with money and those without. The vehicle you pick will take some of your money so don't be to extravagant. Of course, this is my opinion however, I have seen men crying at thought of leaving the country with no money after working in Qatar for a number of years. Money - just as a final note, you should be saving 50% of your monthly every month - or averaging over the year. Based on your calculations, can this be achieved? if not, then it is probably not worth moving and working in Qatar (unless you are there just for a good time - and that’s ok too as long as you understand this from the onset). I walked away with a healthy lump sum from my savings after only working there for 20 months. Most of my colleagues (and I am saying 80%) did not save and walked away with nothing. I know I am sounding like an old fart but it is something to be considered. Is this helpful?
Hi User, many thanks for the comment. I can only suggest you make yourself available on something like LinkedIn or whatever app used in Oz. Then the agencies will see your interest where they can then work with partners over in the middle east. This is what happened to me. An agent just reached out via LinkedIn and that started the process. Make your profile clear that work in the middle east is of interest and the agencies will work with you. Hope this helps.
Hi Zumzum, thanks for the comment. Yes, the rules have just changed. Assuming you have enough capital, you are able to buy a property and become a citizen of Qatar. The following website offers all the information you need. www.saakin.qa/blog/requirements-to-buy-properties-in-qatar#:~:text=The%20revisions%20in%20property%20ownership,to%20rent%20or%20sell%20it.
@@bankruptpensionerCan you become a citizen of Qatar, if you Come from a western country just to start a “new” chapter if your lige and try to live there with your family? Thanks
@@Ameen2134 Hi A, thanks for the comment - assuming you have the right level of income or money in your account, I guess so. The new rules are straight forward. I guess if you cannot afford to live there once you have purchased your property, the authorities will just take the property off you and put you on a flight out of the country. Be aware, Qatar is not a charity. And for those who die and just have a residency permit (which would be you in your case), you body is put on a plane and shiped back to your home country. That is my understanding however, I may well be wrong on this - but I doubt it :)
Hi Z, thanks for the comment. I assume you are a Pharmacist. Therefore, talk to your healthcare employment agencies in the UK. One of them with have international opportunities and may well have work over in Qatar. I assume you will have no issues in getting a role over in Qatar as a Pharacist. Demand must be high in Qatar. Good luck :)
@@bankruptpensioner no we respect other people's religion, if your not Muslim you can eat when ever you want, I don't know about qatar but most other countries it's fine 🙂
Hi Vuvvy, I would suggest that you contact local businesses within Qatar direct. They will work with you to get you over to Qatar assuming the skills you have are required. Use Google and you should be able to find the information. This will be a good start......then connect with those people on LinkedIn and start the conversations in real time. This can then give you the opportunity to make the connections you need. Hopefully, one will then invite you to come over and say hello. It will start from that point. You will need to be able to tell these people why they need you onsite in Qatar. Hope this helps.
Only alcohol is expensive (relatively). It may well be the same in Dubai. I suspect rent and food would be very similar for Dubai and Qatar. Hope this helps.
How do you fair if you don't have a degree? Can you still earn decent money? My wife is a teacher and we are contemplating moving over, but i am a little worried about earning potential for myself. Also, are jobs hard to find without a degree? Thanks.
Hi Ross, lots of experience and successes, that's what got me to Qatar. Hopefully, you have some skills that would be of use to the country (I am sure you do). You don't always need a degree. Think of it this way. 1, it is easier to get work in Qatar if you are already in Qatar! 2, you don't need a degree to get a job BUT if the role title has the word "Manager" in it then you will need a degree (BUT - if you are the right person, they will change the "Manager" bit of the role title to something like "Lead" - allowing you to get the job). 3, You don't have to work for someone. You can always start up a small side line to get some cash. 4, you could always do a remote job from the UK (or wherever you are) and be paid into an account of that country (eg UK). 5, You could do a support job in the school that the wife works at just to get started and stop you from getting bored. 6, if you have kids, be a dad for the kids and look after them whilst in Qatar. 7, if you get bored, there is plenty of voluntary work (at the weekends, I worked at the dog rescue kennels for some time). What's the worst that would happen? Go for it. Your true friends will want to come visit straight away. All the others, well they were just colleagues etc - so no major loss there. You will find it ever so weird how absoloutly safe the place is! People smile and have a great time. Beer is expensive, that's a downside. Family will come out and see you. More questions? Fire away :)
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the reply! Some really good advice to think about there! Reassuring to know it's easier to find work once you're actually situated over there! First 9 months I wouldn't* be able to work in any case, as if be over there on my wife's visa. The remote working thing I hadn't actually contemplated at all! I see a lot of Health and safety roles being advertised over there. Would you say they are very highly contested jobs and would it be worth me completing the NEBOSH General certificate beforehand? Sorry for the bombardment of questions.. and the "not being able to drive a car" rule is crazy 🤣
@@rosshudson5709 OK Ross. Like most countries, it's easier when you are there. I have lived in a few countries and this is always the case. Please confirm "9 months I would" should that be "wouldn't"? I assume so. If this is the case, then start to plan remote working. There must be plenty of consultancy work where policy documentation for a 'business' should be created/reviewed/approved. You could do this with your library of policy documents that you already have on your hard drive 😉!!! Read the next paragraph carefully, then read it again 😆 Any certification is only a bonus so get your certificates (if you can) before your get to Qatar. Highly contested jobs; ok, this is where it gets a bit silly. Every role is in high competition from our Indian counterparts. Our Indian friends charge a much lower rate than the western world. Sometime, a business will see the positive of having a western person in the team and the addition costs of that westerner as a benefit for kudos when presenting their case to their customer (be this customer being internal or external). A western face brings a certain reassurance. I have to warn you, with a story and this may well apply to your specialty (unless you are in a highly governed industry - for example aviation). A colleague got a consultancy role in the public sector space. Highly regarded and well qualified westerner. Looked great for the team. After a few months, this colleague realised that it did not matter what he said, many recommendations were simply brushed to the side. He struggled with this at first and had frustrations. He then accepted where his position was in the team and why he was in the team and then simply rode the gravy train. In H&S, you may experience this problem. I am just warning you but I hope I am wrong. You have to accept that different cultures expect different things. As you work over in Qatar, you will hear the term "Inshallah" all day when at work. This means "by the will of God" therefore responsibility/accountability is passed to a high being (if you know what I mean). You will hear this term a lot in your industry. Driving License - Qatar has a government list of job titles (designation). With each job title, depending on your qualifications, you have certain rights. In my job title, I was able to have a driving license for a car as long as I had a degree - of which I did not. Having a commercial pilots license (worth a Masters in most countries) had no value in Qatar. Some of the rules are a little strange and are driven from the Indian imperialist mindset, not the Qatari's as most of the laws do not apply to Qatari's 😆. Nothing cooler that riding to Hamad international airport on a motorbike and getting in an aeroplane 😆. Hanging of your wife's visa, you should be able to easily get a driving license. The world has changed a lot over the past three years with covid etc and the ability to work remotely has ballooned. You should seriously look at this option. You will need a quality laptop and setup allowing you to manage documentation and share documents effectively. You may also find that you are expected to travel to your clients location out of Qatar. This should not be a problem 👍. I am not trying to convince you to move over to Qatar. Whilst you will have a great time, I am just trying to open your eyes to a larger world. Does the above help? Richard.
Hi Mustafa, thanks for the comment. I do hope you found it useful and informative. I find there are lots of videos that are just made on the beech and offering information that is not wholly accurate. :)
Hi Lynda, thanks for the comment. Yes, I would go back as long as the project was interesting. This is my want at my stage in life and money is not the priority……which it was when I first started in Qatar in 2017. Qatar is a great place to work and live. ❤️
One of the most honest view from a westerner without criticizing the culture
Hi Steve. Thanks for the message. I am trying to be fair with my experiences of which Qatar does have pros and cons. However, those cons are manageable 😂😂
Hi Richard, I think I've met you at HIA staff travel. I used to work at the national carrier. Great to hear your perspectives on life in Qatar. I have said the exact same thing to friends and family to describe Qatar - "You can walk around with gold jewelry and cash in hand at 3am with no fear of anything happening to you" that feeling of safety grows on you.
Hey Nahil, good to hear from you and hope you and the family are well. Thanks for the comment on the video, I think it is a fair summary of Qatar. Catch you very soon
As an Egyptian Muslim lives in Qatar i am sorry for your bad experience with that accident may be the Egyptian guy wasn't honest .. but really policemen are so fair but you have to tell him what happened accurately .. the most of accidents we just share the photos on an app without going to a police station if the fault is clear.
and for Ramadan we as Muslims don't force anyone to not eat or drink we know that you are not Muslim so don't worry no one could talk to you take it easy you have not to leave the country at all.
finally you all are welcome in our Muslim countries .. love and respect
Hi GoPrint, many thanks for your comment. To be fair, as a white man, I was warned about the process of what happens with the Police and that I would be seen to be the guilty party of such an accident. I witnessed this at the HQ when helping a friend who had been in an accident (of which it was classed as his fault - even though his car was parked legally and the vehicle whas not moving as no one was in the vehicle) and my experience. So, looking back, I get warning of the scenario, I then experience this helping a friend who's car was hit by another driver when his car was parked, and I have been involved in an accident where I was informed it was my fault where the change of decission was made when I showed the Police office the video. So, there must be some truth in this.
QATAR ❤️🇶🇦
the most honest video about this place that i've seen so far...
Hi GreenLeaf, thanks for the comment. I am trying to be fair to Qatar 🇶🇦 👍. It is going to be interesting over the next weeks whilst the football comes into focus. I assume there will be many negative comments from the media. Let’s wait and see 👍
@@bankruptpensioner to small a place to handle such an event...lack of mass people management in terms of needs...are the 2 main facts of this event.. however, they are good at media control and sugar coat cover ups... both things easier done in a small space of land... as you said its going to be interesting to watch from afar.
Hi Richard, I like the way you share your thoughts, and you are very open and so patient in replying to almost all questions. Kudos!
Hi NB, great to hear from you and thanks for the comments on my open and honest style.
The fact that you take the time to reply to every comment is great ! Thanks for the video ☺️
Love the way he explained everything in simple understanding details. Appreciate you making this video cause I’m leaving Los Angeles and moving to Doha for work on January 15th.
Hi Captain, many thanks for your comment. You are going to have a great time in Qatar. Tell all about your experience when you have setlled into you localtion.
3 days before my move. Of the many many vids on Doha this is my favourite. Thank you sincerely
Hi Guerilla, thanks for the comment. It's great to hear that this video brings value to the viewers :). Best of luck in moving over to Qatar. I am sure you will have a great time :)
Hi please can you help me with work in Qatar
My top tip to anyone making a trip for employment to the GCC countries is to learn some of the local language. This will show you as a confident individual who has some awareness of the local culture and customs. Also you will meet so many local people who will help you
Now that is what I call - good advice 👍
Thanks for taking the time to inform us!
Hello Richard 👋! Great, informative video! Thanks for sharing great tips.
Hi Monika, great that you enjoyed the video and hopefully you found this useful :)
this is the best Qatar related vlog i've ever encountered. You can maybe drop a vid regarding the job market for audit and counselling pros.
Hi Pablo, thanks for the comment on the video. I have a couple of videos planned to help people thinking of moving to Qatar and will certainly look into the markeplace for audit and counselling for a future video :)
Mostly accurate however you don't need a degree to get a driving licence. Employers don't keep a portion of your pay. There is an end of service benefit paid by your employer at end of employment which is 3weeks pay for every full year you have worked for your employer. Loans are based on your earnings as in most countries. Don't ever threaten anyone, you will get arrested as technology in the country especially cctv is world leading. If you are disrespectful or cause trouble expect to be caught very quickly. Amazingbplace to work and live
Hi Mike, the license for your car is based on a combination of your job designation and your country of origin driving licence. In my case, my designation stated that if I have a degree, then I am able to get a license for a car. As I did not have a degree, then I was not able to get a driving license for a car. Motorcycle yes, but not a car. It is the designation that states what you can or cannot have. Ironic.....need to catch a taxi to fly an aeroplane out of Hamed international. Just one of the bizarre things. The end of year benefit is taken from your pay. Often is the case that this deduction from your pay is not mentioned clearly in the contract. Just making people aware that when they start work, their monthly net payment may be less than what they thought they would get. Loans in Qatar are very easy to get, especially when one is on a high monthly pay. In other countries to where I have lived, it is certainly much more difficult to get a loan. CCTV - thats really interesting, I never noticed the CCTV, but that said, I never looked up to see what was around me. Great point and yes, threaten someone, and it won't be good news for you. I agree, it is an amazing place to work and live :). Thanks for your comment, really interesting.
@@bankruptpensioner
What work did you do ?
I thought Degrees are required in these oil rich countries.
@@bankruptpensioner
Is the salary one gets is enough to live on and pay bills as well as save a bit?
Coz I hear this might not be the case.
@@spidyman8853 from my perspective, yes. I was saving more than 50% of my monthly salary - and I had a great life over there. As long as you have the right skills and experience, a lot of money can be earned.
@@spidyman8853 Hi Spidy, I work in IT. I was a Project Manager (however I am highly technical as well) running a digital transformation in a large organisation based in West Bay, Doha. The need for a degree is partly a myth, certainly for Qatar. If you have the right skills, knowledge, and experience, you can find highly paid work out in the region. The problem with a degree is that loads of people now have a degree. The value of a degree is falling as so many young are going to university and picking easy courses just to get a degree - and then they think they should be paid lots of money as they have a degree. Well, this is just wrong. I have seen this all over the world. The young go to uni, get massive debts for the time they have spent partying, and then expect to walk into a job with lots of cash. So sad really. Also, I have found that most of the creative people (in IT) do not have degrees and their work is absoloutly brilliant. When hiring, I am not interested in a degree, I am interested in where the person has come from regard their interest in IT. Me, I started playing with computers from the age of 9. At the age of 14, I was programming for business applications for sock and inventory control. It all started there. There are so many opportunities for everyone, and having a degree is not always the thing that opens doors.
Bcos wat you just said is absolutely true and thank you sooooo much for sharing sir
Hi Rocky, I am trying to give an honest opinion of living in Qatar - which is better than videos with lots of music and high life photos. It is not so easy to live in a country which is not your home country and when considering moving, you should understand how life is in your new country.
Yeah i live and work dere now
Lived in Qatar 5 years from 2013-2018. Both me and wife had full driving licences without degrees. British UK licence straight transfer.
Hi Andy, when I arrived in 2019, I think new rules on licenses had been agreed/deployed. I knew a few people who had retained the right to their license from the time you had stated. New rules are currently in place to stop the number of vehicles on the road. I guess had I started in 2013, I would have had a driving license which confirms strange laws employed in the region. Thanks for your comment.
Great video - keep making more Qatar lifestyle videos. Appreciate your insights bud.
thanks Lord Victus - next Qatar video - driving and car ownership!!!!
شكراً لك على كلامك الرائع عن دولة قطر 🙏🏼❤️
مرحباً بك. قطر بلد جميل ويجب أن يتمكن المزيد من الناس من تجربة ذلك. لو كانت كل الدول فقط آمنة مثل قطر
@@bankruptpensioner 💕
No drugs no drunks no brothels no anti social behaviour sounds like heaven
THAT'S GOD'S WAY OF LIVING
I LOVE IT IT'S HEAVEN
Hi James, thanks for the comment. You can get drunk but not in public. Legal drugs are available such as cigarettes etc. It may well be a form of control - but it does make for a safe place to be. Depending on a view point, this could be seen as managed heaven :)
That’s called clean living. Not for the filthy
I like clean living yes this is the path of God
@@jamesfagan7823 Hi James, thanks for the comment. Clean living yes :)
I’m on the verge of making a choice to work for Qatar Airways, thanks for this video 😊
Hi Fahd, thanks for the comment. If you are going to be working as cabin crew, I understand that the accomodation is offered from QA and, you are forced to stay in your accomodation when in your rest period. It is a strange approach from QA however, please do check that this does or does not apply to your role. Hope this helps.
@@bankruptpensioner actually, as a captain on the 330. Im just doing my interview in a couple of weeks
@@fahdkamal1420 Go for it!!! Yes, as you are cabin crew, you may well be restricted to the time you spend in the accomodation. However, if you are taking family over with you, you can go rent a nice place and you will not be part of the scenario of being forced to stay in the QA accomodation in your rest period. To rent a property, you will need to have your residency card. This only take two or three weeks. I think........you will enjoy Qatar!!!
Maids being beaten if it's true, it's an individual act and not everyone is like that, just like in the US there are gangs and mass shootings all the time, it doesn't define everyone.
We have similar issues here in Singapore. So, its not an isolation case.
Hi Nadine, may thanks for your comment. I suspect that maids do get beaten - however - maids get beaten in every country. This statement does not mean that it is ok to beat your maid. Of course it is not and one should show respect to all humans, regardless of cread, race, or religion. Whoever is performing the beating will.......by default......be judged by their god and sent to wherever the bad people go. No help to the one who is being beaten. And remember, those who do beat people, are the real cowards of the world. No excuse for physical or mental abuse.
Thank you for your informative video
Hello, Richard! Thank you for the awesome video, very thorough.
I am Portuguese and got offered the opportunity of working in Qatar, for a British company, with accommodation and meals included;
My question is, do you think the living conditions and the pay will be relatively good, considering I've recently started my career?
Thank you so much!
Hi, I suspect the pay in Qatar will be twice as much as what you could have earned in Portugal. If it is not twice as much, then you might want to consider if it is worth going. However, regardless of the pay, it would be a great life experience. I was paid only 40k QR per month. I had a reasonable lifestyle however, I spent little and focused more on saving my money. Does this help you?
@@bankruptpensioner Yes, it has helped indeed. I will take your comments into consideration.
Thank you for your answer!
excellent and honest review .
it's a shame people around particularly in Europe are ignorant about Qatar.
Hi Drive Loco. It is amazing what news you hear in the media. Qatar is not perfect however no country is perfect. The local people are great and the majority of the ex-pats are happy. I have seen some strange behaviours and have seen an update on the news and I will be creating a video on this matter later this week hopefully. Thanks for your comment and do keep in touch :)
@@bankruptpensioner totally agree with you .middle Eastern countries are not perfect nor is any country in the world however it is astonishing that that western media has an agenda against Muslims and in particular Middle Eastern counties .
Loved the way you related your stay in Qatar!! Personally, I'd rather choose/consider (cities like) Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Manama to go on a (one-week) holiday (or even live for a short period of time, say, a couple of months), over (cities like) Doha, or Sharjah.
Hi Marius, thanks for the great comment on the video.
Matei
Doha and Sharjah are religious cities I think. They are a bit more stricter than the relaxed ambiance of Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Manama.
@@spidyman8853 ok, spidy
Great video thank you. My husband has been offered a job in Qatar but I’m unsure. We are in uk. Thing is I keep hearing horror stories from teachers as that’s what he is that if you break contract early they don’t let you leave or pay you. Everything is included in package, accommodation ect. It’s seems a no brained but I’m worried. We have 2 kids & wander how it will be for them
Hi CLS, many thanks for the comment. Firstly, let's confirm the import stuff. You and the kids will have a great time in Qatar. It is a very liberal country and it's the safest place on the planet. The weather is perfect however the summer months can be a little warm. I am fair skinned and although the sun is strong, I never got sun burn, I therefore assume the ozone layer over Qatar is nice and thick. I have never heard that the schooling over in Qatar is poor or bad (from a child's or parents perspective). As a family, regarding food and clothing etc, it's just like living in the UK regard products and their availability. SO - THAT should ease some of your concerns. NEXT - HORROR STORIES - You will always hear horror stories. These are probably from the teachers (very young teachers) that were constantly drunk every thursday night and all day friday. However, I was young at one point and moving to another country would have been a challenge and I would have seriously missed my friends and pets and all that stuff. As a young person, I would have not read the contract in detail and when it comes to committing the first six months in Qatar, it could have been a long time whilst missing the stuff from my homeland. YOU WILL always hear bad news. NO ONE tells you the good news because those people just get on with life. Six months is a long time, especially when you don't want to be where you are. In exceptional circumstances, your employer will not hold you in the country but they will support you and the family in the transitions. FINALLY - you are about to make new friends, you will be going to friends houses with the kids and having BBQs, you will enjoy the weather and the relaxed atmosphere from a social perspective. You will be paid more money than in the UK allowing you to save quickly and enjoy those savings upon your return to the UK (or whichever country takes your next fancy). The kids will learn new cultures and enjoy this. ULTIMATELY - I suspect within two month, you will be having a wonderful time and having few worries. A new culture will be great for all the family. Thursday night, you will be on the promenade at West Bay until midnight with the kids (sounds bizarre as this does not happen in the UK - keeping the kids up so late) and they will be running around doing what kids should be doing - enjoying themselves!
I hope the above has helped allay some of your fears. Tell me what you are thinking now 👍
Any more questions............do not hesitate to ask!!!
Thanks Richard, I loved this review as it an honest review. Can you please share more about the apartment and perhaps do a tour, advice on lettings agents to approach, how you went about the agreement and breakdown on costs please?
Hi Jay. I do not have a tour. However. My work was based in West Bay, Doha. My work colleagues either stayed at an apartment in a hotel at the price of 18k QR per month. Others lived in The Pearl and were paying between 12k and 20k. I thought this was a waste of earned money so I went for a small apartment just 10 mins north of West Bay in a community called Onaiza. This appartment cost 5k per month. This include all bills such as water and electricity. This was a single bedroom with a small kitchen, a large lounge, and a large bathroom. A swimming pool was available and I used this regularly. The community was lovely and all the other people on the road were really nice. No need for a car so I used taxis to and from work etc. Agents, you can always negotiate. Get the agent to reduce the deposit. I paid a 5k deposit. The deposit will be lost if you cease the agreement early. The agreement will be for a year so be careful. If less than a years stay in Qatar, then get a hotel room at Ezdan Hotel in West Bay which is cheaper in the short and long term. There are many agents and they will come and collect you in their car and take you to the apartment that you are interested. There are no additional costs other than the deposit and the monthly payment. From your bank, you will get a cheque book. You will be expected to write 12 cheques for the 12 month contract, all cheques dated to the months through the year contract for the apartment. The cheques will be given to the agent and they will cash the cheques accordingly through the period of the contract. Does this help? Any further questions? Happy to help :)
@@bankruptpensioner I like your detailed explanation, you are very helpful. Thanks a lot. By the way, your apartment, is it furnished?
Stay blessed Sir!
Hi Fatima, many thanks for your comment :)
Very good 👍 info thanks mate
Hi Nassir, many thanks for your comment :)
Hi Richard i had a question if you dont mind. I wanted to know what the job turnover or firing culture on qatar within IT is like? Do they fire easily or do ppl quit more often? Was your leaving Qatar your choice or was it job termination? Im asking because im wondering what job stability is like in IT within Qatar?
Now that's an excellent question. Firstly, there is no job security in Qatar. Many fall into this trap and panic when they lose their contract having taken a large loan for a car or something similar. Secondly, your position can end at the most inopportune time. Bear this in mind. The point here is not to plan for the long term when working in Qatar. Each day is a blessing. That said, do not stress too much about the situation. My agent knew I was on a high pay, and my contract came to an end - replaced with someone who was 25% of my pay. Of course, the project failed in the end. I knew this was going to happen - just a matter of when. And while it lasted, it was good. Does this help?
@bankruptpensioner This definatelty helps a lot. Thank you very much!
@@A7hs1207 no problem 👍
@@A7hs1207 and to be fair to Qatar, the scenario I offer above, is the same in any country. USA, UK, Europe, Asia, Far East etc. If one's position is classed as an employee, one is at risk of someone higher making a decision. Sounds very negative, however, this is the cast, more often than not 👍
Thanks for the video! I've question: how much is the taxes in Qatar, for example if my salary will be QAR 13k gross, how much will I get in net? currently workin in EU income tax is insanely high, considering to relocate to middle east, thanks!
Hi, there are no taxes to your income in Qatar. It your contract says QR 10'000 per month (as an example), this is the amount you will be paid however (!!!), a small portion of that amount will be removed. This small portion is a banking solution for you. When you leave the employ of that employer, the total of this small amount removed monthly will be given to you as a lump sum. Again, this lump sum is not taxed. If you leave Qatar at the end of your employ, then that is the end of the subject. If you find another role in Qatar, then this banking solution starts again with your new employer. Again, at the end of your contract with the new employer, the lump sum will then be paid to you.
Does this help? In summary, you do not pay income tax on your pay. You get the total amount from your contract minus the lump sum banking solution which is given back to you at the end of your contract with the employer concerned.
new subscriber im a pilipino this month I'm just waiting for a flight to Qatar. cause I have a 2-year contract to work at Ezdan Palace. this is the first time I'll be able to travel abroad.🙂
My Filipino friends are just the best people I know. Always smiling and having a fun time. It's great to hear you have a two year contract at the Ezdan. I am sure you will enjoy your time there and I am sure your contract will get extended. I am sure you know many Filipinos already out in Qatar. Do meet up with them and let them show you the best places. Good luck and do keep all of us informed of how your move to Qatar goes :)
@@bankruptpensioner i owe you one 🙂
Much appreciated.Thank you.Is there a cutt off age for working in Qatar?
Hi Bryan, I do not think there is a cut off date for working. I have seen consultants working in the 70's however, this is few and afr between. Over in Qatar, the older you are, the wiser you are.......which is sort of true as long as you can keep the marbles in your head working the right way :). Thanks for the comment :)
Very informative , thank you .
How do you find the standard of healthcare ?
I had a couple of visits to the doctors. I found it very professional and of high quality and knowledge. Justr like being in any other 1st world country. There are a lot of very rich people that live in Qatar and as such, they will expect high standards. Make sure the healthcare insurance that your employer gives you covers your needs (and your families needs) as it can be very expensive - like most other countries. Dental care is excellent as well. Hope this helps.
@@bankruptpensioner
Thank you for the prompt reply, appreciated
@@bankruptpensioner It's me again, can you share on average how much do we need to pay for dental or a visit to a doctor if we get sick or anything, if we don't have an insurance. Just want to get an idea. Thanks in advance.
Hi sir, greetings from a Qatari citizen. I hope you enjoyed the life in Qatar. I just wanted to explain that the “myth” you talked about at 7:50 about Qataries “it is always your fault” is totally untruthful. I personally made an accident with an expact here in Qatar and I was mistaken, and the police just said “ it is your fault” and I respected that. By the way no one is above the law. It does not matter who he is and I’m sure if you lives more you would know more about the country and how lovely the laws are. Maybe it is not fair to become a pilot with a lot of experience but you can’t become a car driver, very wierd. If I knew you before I would help you to get a license. Anyway thanks fpr sharing.
Cheers from Qatar 🇶🇦
Hello my friend. Your comment is really interesting however on induction to the country, I was informed that this 'myth' was a local rule. And for those who I have heard being in an acceident that clearly was not their fault (a parked car for instance), blame was certainly assigned to the non Qatari party. It is great that you saw fit to take the blame for an accident. However, it would be great if you could talk to the police commissioner on this matter and relay their thoughts. Thanks for the comment and most welcome from our Qatari friends.
Please I need a help, In coming to qatar, am a Nigerian, Am a graduate in Agricultural Engeering, And also a professional Teacher, with 3 years Experience, I got 2 years experience in sales and marketing, Please sir I need a sponsor who will help me to come over to qatar to work, to help me with the application of a visa and flight ticket when I arrived I will pay back after I found a job
I’m a Qatari that got in an accident with an expat and got the blame when it was not my fault
Richard, many thanks for this video. Can you expand more on the bank's "cut" from the salary which they keep in a deposit? What's the amount, does the employer tell you about it?
Hi Marat, thanks for the comment. OK, by law, you have to forego an amount of your pay. This is cared for my your employer. Upon leaving the employer or leaving Qatar, the amount you have saved is then handed back to you as a lump sum. This basically stops people from leaving Qatar with no money in their pocket OR, you then have some capital to pay off loans to the banks that may well have been taken out whilst living in Qatar etc etc. This may help you:
hlbhamt.com/all-about-end-of-services-gratuity-in-qatar/
Do you hear the call to prayer 5 times a day?
Hi SA, yes, this was quite normal. After a day or two, it no longer disturbs your nights sleep :) Thanks for the comment :)
I hardly ever hear it any more
Nice video Richard, I'm moving to Qatar next month, this explanation is helpful, 🙏
Hi Winnie. Many thanks for the comment. I think you’re going to have a great time over in Qatar. If you have any problems, then do not hesitate to reach out to me for guidance. Have a great time and tell me what you think after you’ve been there for a month. Looking forward to hearing from you in the future.
In the traffic accidents law in Qatar it is always the fault of the car behind unless there is clear evidence like videos that shows whose fault is..as for the myth I’m Qatari and We have our share of car accident responsibilities..hope you enjoy staying in Qatar.Allah bless you
He left Qatar
Only young generation of well educated qataris behave well while majority of qataris are absolute a*holes tho especially the old ones n spoiled brats.
Hello Richard, thank you for sharing your experience, i am looking to move to Qatar with my family, we currently reside in Sweden.
Anyways, i just wanted to let you know that i hope god grants you internal peace, you strike me as a non judgmental person who doesn’t buy into stereotypes easily. May God bless you and your family!
Hi Bot, many thanks for your comment. You will have a great time in Qatar with the family. Do not worry about the move, just go for it. The family will have a great time and they will have lots of fun in the swimming pool and the warmer weather offered in the middle east. Never been judgemental however living in a number of areas around the world allows you to see things in a different way - and not the way the media often portrays a country. Also, you will see the local news about Sweden from the Qatar perspective. It is amazing how the news portrays your home country from a different perspective. I have seen this from the countries that I have lived in and it is quite eye opening.......but good fun :)
Hi Richard, thanks for taking the time and share your amazing experience in Qatar. I'm a Canadian and thinking about working in Qatar. Where do you suggest I start looking to find jobs, are there any agencies, etc.?
Hi Falah, many thanks for the comment. I found the best way is to work with your local agencies, who can then hunt for the role you are looking for. You may well find that these agencies already have contacts in the middle east and as such can start to work on your desires for Qatar. Tell me how this goes.
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the info!
Hello Mr. Richard,
I am currently living in the EU being very unhappy with the way things are developing over here (in various aspects, mostly regarding politics and financial).
I work in the IT field as an SAP consultant have a masters in computer science and it came to my knowledge that Gulf countries are putting lots of value in innovation and IT recently.
Hence, I am seriously considering moving to either Doha or Dubai in the next 3-4 years.
In that sense I’d like to ask you a couple questions if you don’t mind:
Can you tell me how the job application procedure over there works? Here in the EU it’s mostly with online job platforms. However, I haven’t found many for Qatar for instance.
How are the working conditions there?
How much better would you say the pay is?
Compared to Dubai, why would one move to Qatar?
That’d be it. I’d highly appreciate if you could answer the above. 😊
Great video by the way - straight to the point no bs.
Stay healthy all the best…
Hi Barb, thanks for the comment. I understand your concerns for the EU. However, let's focus on the questions. Your qualifications are perfects. SAP is in use over in Qatar so there will be roles out there. You will be in competition with your cheaper Indian counterparts so you need to offer something exceptional that they cannot offer (and to be fair, and no disrespect to the Indian guys, this should not be a major problem for you). Qatar or Dubai is just as good. You will have more fun in Dubai which means you will spend more of your earnings rather than saving your earnings when you exit and return to your homeland. Applications process - it is who you know, not the typical application process in the middle east. Make contact with the job agencies and make relationships in this space. This is how it is done in the middle east but as stated above, you need to offer something that the Indian guys cannot. These agencies have the right contacts and will look for you. Working conditions over there are far superior than in Europe. Start at 7am and finish at 3pm. None of this stupid stuff in the UK or Europe where we work 14 hours a day and get paid for 8 hours. None of that silly nonsense. So the conditions are good. In Qatar, you will have to go out and make friends or you will be very lonely - I assume the same for Dubai. The pay will be twice what you currently earn - and of course in Qatar, you pay no tax. In Dubai, I think you pay tax but it is very low. Why would I pick Qatar over Dubai? Qatar (for me) is a simple place compared to Dubai. One goes to Qatar to work and save up capital for when one leaves the country. That was my motivation. Had I been in Dubai, I would have partied harder and spend more money thus reducing potential capital saved. But that is just me, we are all different.
Does this help somewhat?
I appreciate the quick reply - I subscribed to you already :)
Im glad to hear that there is a market for SAP in the middle east. I would have been surpised honestly if otherwise.
Regarding the competition I thought so as well. Im aiming to get promoted here first and becoming more senior in what Im doing so that it will be easier for me to land a decent job and salary of course. Im hoping that this will not be a major issue.
Yeah, I believe that Dubai is more fun and of course this would make me spend more. I guess I dont really mind if its Dubai or Doha in the end. Wherever the job is Ill follow...
OK interesting to hear that job applications work a bit differently there (rather than online applications). Good to know. How do you recommend me to get in touch with recruiting agencies or head hunters? Because Im not sure theyll stumble upon me by chance.
I am surprised to hear that the working conditions are better there... Exactly, I worked 70 hours a week sometimes and I didn't even get any recognition for it, I didn't get any compensation whatsoever for it either as if I am expected to work this long... which is total bs.
Here in Europe I find it quite easy to make friends since im quite the social person - you attend events, go to bars etc. But how does one make friends there, what does to "go out" mean? How do you connect with other expats?
Twice is absolutely insane. I hope that money can be saved as well? How would you say the costs are compared to a city like London for example (accommodation etc)?
I appreciate your help and dont want to bother much but im hoping that you can answer couple more :)
I heard that is is important to negotiate benefits at the very start with the employer such as car allowance, visa for family, accomodation etc.... Are these common benefits there? Or would I have to fight for it to get such benefits?
Thanks a bunch and much love
@@bankruptpensioner
@@BarbarossaK Connecting with other expats? Ideally, you will have people from the same colour, creed, background as you in the business that you would work. This is the starting point. They will know where to go. I started at Champions Bar in the Marriot in West Bay. That was an eye opener 😆. Then the guys took be to Radisson Blue on the south side of Doha (on the same night) and that was just crazy. You will have a great time 😉. If no one with your creed in the business, then you need to go to the bars by yourself. Everyone talks to everyone 👍. You will have no problems
Accommodation costs? It depends on where you want to live. The Pearl is very expensive. West Bay is just as expensive. I lived in Onaiza, which was half the price of both. Great place to live, no pretentious neighbours, very quiet, near to west bay where my office was located. You are there to build capital, no need to expensive apartments but that is just my opinion 😆.
Benefits? First thing, be careful on the negotiation. One week before I was leaving to Qatar, the Indian accountant reduced my pay by some 10%. I took the reduction as i had no choice but i did state that due to this, I would only work the hours as per the contract and there would be no flexibility if needed by the project. Be careful!!! The only benefit you need to be concerned about is Health insurance. That's all !!! Nothing more. Everything else, such as car allowance, flower allowance, fresh air allowance etc etc etc is irrelevant. Taxes in other countries tax benefits differently based on what the benefit is. In Qatar, there is not tax on anything therefore, you should be looking at the total number. Hopefully, you understand this as it is important. Visa for family should not be a problem. Take into account that you will be paying for the education for your kids when negotiating to total package.
Taking the family? I would suggest going by yourself for the first couple of months. This allows you to confirm that you are happy with the business and the projects you are working on. If not, you can easily eject yourself from the business and the country, returning to your homeland etc etc. If all is OK, then bring the family over. I have seen it where things have not gone so well and managing a family just adds to illogical decision making from a personal perspective. Let's face it, you might not get what you thought you were going to get. I am quite risk averse 😆
Does this help and are we going in the right direction?
@@bankruptpensionerhiya Mr pensioner I wanna come to Qatar I m Bachelor of business administration qualification, meanwhile got experience in usa customer service in india n Hindi call centre, so I wanna come to Qatar for any job i dunt wann to job in customer service field apart from other any jobs I wann do .Will u hlp me out for this???? Provide me a job in Qatar in my company??
Never had any money deducted from monthly salary. Got a lump sum End of Service payment based on percentage of basic salary multiplied by length of service in line with labour law.
Hi Andy, your montly salary will have been agreed by contract. A percentile of that amount would be retained by the accounting team of the organisation to which you worked. The end of service payment would have been made from the amount that had been retained.
Great content, you have covered all dimensions . Next month I am relocating to Qatar and I had accommodation and transport concern. Now I am fine . If you can put some lights on changing the sponcer. What is the Qatari rule and what are the things should avoid?
hi Pravesh, many thanks for the comment. Super pleased that the video has helped you. And good luck for next month 😄. Sponsor - you are being pulled to Qatar by the sponsor. The sponsor will expect you to do your job and when your job is complete, you can then look for another job (which means a new sponsor). Changing sponsor is nothing to do with you. Your next sponsor will manage the transfer from your first sponsor to the new sponsor. It is very easy. As long as you have demanded and transferable skills, getting a new job (and new sponsor) will not be a major problem. Firstly, go enjoy your work with your first sponsor 😄
Hi Richard,
I plan to move to Doha with my family to work with their national oil company. What are the restrictions with regards to clothing for men and women. I am moving from Dubai so know it will be lot different.
Hi Rajiv, many thanks for the comment. Qatar is very liberal in its clothing, not unlike Dubai. I suspect you will find the way you dress in Dubai is more than acceptable for Qatar. I think you will be just fine :)
hey richard! what a pleasant surprise! i randomly stumbled across your page :) it was lovely having coffee with you and talking watches :) I sold you two Seikos (007 and pepsi baby tuna) :) hope you remember
Hey hey - of course I remember. What a great chat we had. Hope you are still into the watch scene, it's a great little hobby. Hope you and the family are doing well :)
Hiya Richard! Omg this video is so informative, thanks! Was just wondering if you could enlighten me a little since you mentioned Nursing. I am nurse here (England) and can’t seem to find much info on salaries for Nurses in Qatar. I get this is not your field but do you happen to have any insight? Cheeeeersss.
Hi, as you are coming from the UK, you would be looking at a monthly pay in total of QR30'000. This is about £6000. Of course, no tax however, some of the 6000 will be held back for when you leave qatar. If I remember, this is about 8% of your monthly pay. Therefore, if you stay a year, your exit payment would be your last monthly pay plus the a further months pay which you saved over the year period. Hope this helps???
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the reply and info ☺️☺️
Thank you for such an informative video.
I currently live and work in Qatar.
You mentioned the rent at the pearl, your pay and general pay and I giggled a bit (waaaaay above my pay scale)
As a citizen from a third world country, what advice would you have for me to negotiate a better pay in my current company/ new company?
Hi Chrisanta, this is a really good question. So, I assume you have real skills that are required in Qatar. If this is true, then you should be in a position to negotiate or move forward. Asking a current employer (sponsor) can be difficult. However, what I would do is consider what increase I want (for example QR3000 per month) and then add more on top (so the number is now QR5000). This gives your employer the ability to reduce the request or a pay increase down from QR5000 to QR3000. They think they have a good deal, and you actually got what you wanted (QR3000). That said, you will need to ask your employer how you get to that pay rise. If you were in my team, I would be giving you more responsibility and you should be prepared to have that discussion of responsibility. Look how your work actually works, and tell them you can bring improvements (continuous improvement) that will ultimately allow them to save money by giving you the extra QR3000 (for example). The second option is finding another sponsor. This can be harder than you think. Finding another sponsor can be the easy part however, you cannot start your new job if your current sponsor does not allow you to leave their sponsorship. I have seen this problem a couple of times and ultimately, the person ends up leaving the employ of the original sponsor and has to return to their homeland. Therefore, the first option is best. Speak to your boss, or even better, your bosses boss. Talk about a career plan within the business and see if they open to this sort of conversation. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck. BTW - living on the Pearl is simply pretentous :)
@@bankruptpensioner Thanks for the insight.
Some really good pointers over there.
I'll look deeper into them and see how it goes.
Oh interesting to hear about the Pearl 😄
Love this honest review 💯. Actually working towards permanent relocation in Dubai and was looking for some other great locations I can visit and explore while residing in Dubai. Qatar certainly sounds very great. Could you give an estimate of 3-4 star hotel per night cost in Qatar inbtw
Hi, booking a hotel is best performed through Booking.com. I find it easiest. If you are looking for a couple of nights break, then I would recommend staying in West Bay within Doha. This is a great central place. To the south and a nice walk along the promenade (1 hour), is Souq Waqif. A great maket place with lovely cafes. West Bay has the city shopping centre and the various bars and restaurants. You can catch a taxi north to The Pearl (10 mins). Great place to visit and wine and dine. Lovely places to be. Dont go in the summer months, it is simply too hot. November thru March is great weather and nice temperatures. Hope this was useful :)
Agree! I would love to hear more too!😀
Best Doha video I have ever seen. Just had few question, how your experience of driving bike and what kind of bikes are available. Good place to live in doha when your office is in west bay. what are the effects of FIFA on rent
Hi Abhay, many thanks for the compliment. I am trying to create videos on this beautiful country but with an honest or common sense approach. I certainly do not have the skills to create such great videos like one finds on youtube however, I find that such creativity can dilute the messages. Or maybe I am getting too old 😊
OK - a few questions here.
Riding bikes in Qatar/Doha. The only problem is the heat in the summer. Riding is no major problem as long as your machine can keep up with the traffic. I would recommend a cc of 400 or above. I have seen little 125cc bikes riding and the fast traffic does make it look very scary for those little bikes. I have had a few bikes and most of my bikes were purchased from lovely people advertising on Qatar Living. You can download the app for android or apple and view what is available. When checking the bikes, make sure that you have an idea on the mechanics. If not, get a friend to come with you. The price advertised will always be reduced so do haggle. Clothing and helmets can be obtained from the various bike shops across the Doha city. All the bikes you might want are available in Qatar.
Riding bikes in Qatar continued. Whilst I rode my bike to work and for shopping etc I did do other things. There are a couple of groups that go out for a group ride on a Thursday night. This makes riding great. We would meet up at about 9pm, and then ride to about 2am the following morning. This is a great way to meet likeminded people. You have to join one of these groups. Take the wife/girlfriend etc on the back of your bike and you will have a great time. These people are the best. You can find the groups on FaceBook - or……if you see someone who looks like a serious biker on a Harley, just stop them and ask. I assure you, there is a good chance they will be in a group and will really welcome you to the group.
Where to live close by to West Bay. I lived in a flat in the area of Onaiza. This is only 2 miles from West Bay. This cost qr5000 a month and was a simple place with a small pool. I appreciate that qr5000 is a lot of money to some, however it suited my budget. I did not want to waste my money in the Pearl where the rent was some qr15000 and even more. You can always haggle with the property management teams, and do so. A friend had an apartment in walking distance from West Bay. Very simple but that was about qr3500. It was clean and small but worked fine. The point being there are always options if you look around. Note, you will not be able to rent a property until you have your full residency card. When you rent, you will write 12 forward dated cheques for the property team. The cheque book will be made available to you from the bank to which you monthly pay is paid. Assuming you live in Onaiza, it is a great ride to West Bay in the morning. Short, but nice.
FIFA. Mmmmmmmm. The hotels that have apartments are moving their customers (who live in Doha) out of their apartments. And they are having to look for other accommodation. The prices are rising dramatically. That is the short answer. The management are very short sighted in this approach however, this is quite typical with the people employed in the country. I find it incredible that for a 6 week period, the hotels are to become empty trying to cater to FIFA visitors who will simply not be able to afford the hotels and their rising prices. Maybe the hotels are just for the football teams only and not the visiting fans. I do not think that Onaiza will be affected by this so maybe those who are being kicked out of West Bay hotels will simply move out to other places like Onaiza. I know that the prices for the Pearl are on the rise as well and people there are being moved out. That said, once FIFA is complete, I assume that most people living in Qatar will leave as Qatar has nothing more to offer visitors and workers alike. FIFA is Qatars last and final major project with little planned for the future. I have suggested on many occasions some great ideas (especially in the field of education) where Qatar could be really competitive. But that seems to fall on deaf ears. Short minded approach with little strategy.
I hope you found this useful. Thumbs up if you did. And feel free to ask more questions.
@@bankruptpensioner thanks the information. You explained that very good. I would love to see more videos from you plus you explain from heart and do not dilute the message in creativity which makes you better than any other channel
Thanks for sharing I appreciate that God bless you🙏🏾🙏🏾
Hi Shamso, many thanks for the comment. And same to you :)
Hi Richard, In your experience, I wonder if you can share what will be the a substantial family expat package for someone professional in the hospitality industry. Cheers mate
Hi Jose, no idea on this one. I suspect it will be quite low and unless you are in management, I also suspect that a family package will not be offered. I hope I am wrong but please do share your knowledge on this subject to the rest of the viewers :)
How are schools there ? Especially daycare ? As a Canadian that’s extremely important for me
Hi Z, schools are good and day care is good. May have theire kids in kindergarten and it works well. A friend has a 2 year old who goes vertually everyday and loves playing and learning from the school. Don't worry, you will be fine.
What an informant video thank you sir
Hi Faraz, many thanks for the comment. Thank you for the compliment. I am thinking of creating a new update. Watch out on the channel for the future :)
Good stuff 👍
Can you tell us something about the "Kafala system" and how it affects foreigners who want to work in Qatar (from Europe for example)?
OK, so the basics are that to live in Qatar, you will, 99% of the time, be there to work. To work in Qatar, you will need a sponsor. The sponsor is the owner of the organisation that you will be working for. This owner/director etc is going to be a Qatari. How much work and direction this Qatari brings to the organisation differs on their capability from a business perspective and their general interest in the business they direct/own. It is unlikely you will ever meet this Qatari however. All this is in the processes of getting people on board from other countries. You cannot go over to Qatar and start a business. You will always have a sponsor which basically meets the above. So, if you want to start a business in Qatar, your first challenge is finding an appropriate Qatari sponsor. As an example, Vodafone is a telecoms business in Qatar. Whilst Vodafone is global, to be in Qatar it needs a sponsor - a Qatari. Once again, this Qatari probably has little interest in comms but is on the board of directors etc etc. I would expect little direction from the Qatari sponsor. HOpe this explains the situation enough for all to understand.
Viva Qatar, el mejor mundial en la historia de fotbol ha tenido éxito en el mundo
Hi Loutfi, A ver si vuelven a albergar en el futuro
@@bankruptpensioner they probably will after seeing how successful the 2022 world Cup has been
@@JohnCena-ex6zt Hi John, thanks for your comment. The world cup appears to have been a great success, although the media may well not present it that way - but the media just loves to generate bad news. From my understanding, once the world cup is done, many people who work in Qatar will be removed and sent back to their home countries. The work is done. only enough will be left in the country to ensure the oil and gas keeps flowing (of course) and the malls and coffee shops will be kept open to catar for the Qatari's and those who remain in Qatar to manage local stuff. I would hope the Qatari's have something up their 'sleeve', but I suspect not. I have not heard anything from my people in Qatar and all seem worried that they will be kicked out of the country next year. Let's wait and see if their is 'a rabbit in the hat' :)
Thanks for the information. Did you face alot of competition from the east asian countries in terms of finding your job since you work in the IT sector?
Good point. Yes, you are fighting the cheaper competition. And, the bean counter is usually Asian so you are fighting their thoughts based on their local economy. I got hired through w white man. I suspect had the hiring manager been Asian, I would have not got through to the interview stage. Just a thought. Who you know, not what you know I guess
Like Richard rightly says, it's all about building contacts and networking for job opportunities anywhere in the GCC area. I would also hasten to add, that racism is more common place than say in the EU or US due to the lack of laws (western Indian/pakistanis are treated the same as those from the sub continent) . Also bear in mind that laws or 'decrees' as they call them can change at very short notice.
you are spot on 👍, racism is the norm out there - almost like a cast system
What is the average pay scale for software engineer in Qatar. Thank you.
Sometimes the salary scale is given according to your level of experience and the country of origin, e. g if you are from Africa can't earn as same someone from either Europe or Asia.
Hi thanks for your great information sir
Very informative video Richard! what impressed me a lot is, you being a pilot can't have a driving license for not having a degree, is that right? do the Indian, Pakistani etc taxi drivers have a degree?
Hi Humberto, thanks for the message. Yes, this is right. I tried to get a driving licence for a car but the computer at the poilce headquarters refused this. So, why is this the case? When you get a job in Qatar, your role title in your job is given a designation. Basically, what this means is there are somethings you can and cannot have based on your role, the designation, and your certification. Due to my designation, it stated that if I had a degree, then I could have a car licence (and on the understanding that anyone can have a motorcycle licence regardless of deisgnation). As I did not have a degree, the computer stated that I could not have a car licence. To be fair, the chief of police was very good and they looked into this rediculous situation however, someone had programmed the computer system used within the police in such a way that the system could not be overridden based on human logic/situation/common sense. As such, no driving licence for a car. So, most days I would go to work on a motorcycle (Triumph Thunderbird 1700cc) which was great fun. A little impractical however, but you do get used to it. In the summer months, a taxi was used (Uber - its the only way to not get ripped off by the taxis that are in turquoise color). So, the taxi drivers will probably not have a degree. However, they would have a different designation to me - which this alternate designation ultimately allows them to drive a car professionally and charge customers for their service. So, its all about the designation. It's all a little bizarre but it is what it is. Hope this helped :)
@@bankruptpensioner Sure, it's confusing but anyway... can I drop you an email? I have some doubts I don't want to share publicly
@@humbertosantana7815 sure
@@bankruptpensioner hello Richard I dont find your email address and when I put here my email address, youtube seems to don't approve it and deletes the comment (did it twice already).
How can I apply or get a security job directly with the companies at Qatar with out going through an agent
Hi Cyril, sorry I cannot help you on this. I suggest you contact a local recruitment organisation in Doha. These will be able to help you.
Thank you
Thanks a lot for your good explanation. May I ask about the payment range? In comparison to EU countries, with a good engineering job, you can have a good life and some monthly saved money over there? Is it worth working there for some years in order to save some money and again come back to EU?
Hi Mohsen. So, I was working in the UK. I had a gross salary of N of which some 40% of that gross was taken by the UK government either directly (income tax) or indirectly (VAT). When I moved to Qatar, my gross salary from the UK was doubled. Therefore, I received Nx2. The Nx2 was not taxed. The net effect was I was getting 3x my UK salary. Whilst accomodation is relatively expensive in Qatar, I was able to save over 50% a month of my salary. When I left Qatar, I had my savings and my final exit payment from my employer. I therefore left the country with a lot of money.
Is it worth staying there for a few years - YES! You will enjoy the lifestyle and as long as you don't do silly things like buy Range Rovers and drink in the bars everynight, you will save like you have never done before.
Coming back to the EU? Imaging having more than a years pay in your bank account when you return to your homeland (EU). When you don't have the pressure of finances, you think differently. Because you think differently, you can do so much more than you thought as the pressure from daily finances is removed. This is a good thing as this allows you to be more creative in your thinking. In engineering, I think this ability to think more creatively would benefit all as a whole. That is what I have found in my IT roles since leaving Qatar. I am more pragmatic, more asertive, and present possibilities with common sense. It is a win win for all.
Hope you found this useful, inspiring etc.
Hi, would you recommemd a pilot job at Qatar Airways?Are they offering commuting contracts? Greetings from Poland
Hi F, thanks for the comment. Never worked for QA but, I hear they are good. Based on air hours, I do understand they like to force you to stay in your accommodation however, to be fair, this is reasonable allowing enough rest hours.
It's not a Myth But a Reality If Any Unwanted Incidents Happen Whether its Road Accident Or Sm Thing Else its Always Ur Fault And Not The qatari's Fault. Most Of My Family Members Have Experienced This.
I personally and nor have my friends experienced this however, it is interesting that you confirm my thoughts of a local rule. I was clearly instructed that should you have an accident, and that a Qatari was involved, then it would be my fault regardless of who was really to blame. However, an interesting response from a Qatari just one day after your post. Take a look
I drive a GTI too and not once in my 3 years and 8 months of driving on the road did I ever get harassed because it's a small car. I live in Dubai though.
Hi Tea, to be fair, when driving my hire car in the first few weeks of time in Qatar, I did not notice the harassment. However, people who drive smaller cars (compared to a big 4x4) tend to drive a little slower than other cars. Maybe it is those drivers that feel there are being harassed. Thanks for the comment :)
@@bankruptpensioner you're correct, you're most welcome sir!
wishing you a happy new year, Richard. I am considering visiting for a couple of weeks myself in the hope of finding employment. Where is the best place to start looking over there, how easy is it to find work? I only have my O'Level and A'Level and years of IT and clinical administration work experience, but every website asks for candidates with a degree.
Hi Jennie, many thanks for the comment and question. The middle east has this thing about degrees however, they also need to recognise that not everyone with a degree is great at their job. So, apply for jobs regardless if you have a degree or not. You say you have years of IT and clinical experience, well this is going to get you to the top of the pile of CV's. So do apply. Don't expect the first one to accept you and don't be disheartened if they don't. Qatar relies so much on outside help especially in IT/Clinical. If you know someone who is already in Qatar, then use them to push your CV around. Visiting without anything lined up may well not bring the result you expect. Make a few calls/emails etc prior to landing in Qatar. And then use that two weeks to visit people that you have contacted. Being face to face will help a lot. They like face to face out in the middle east. And whilst you are there, you can have some fun in the sun. Tell me how it goes :)
Hello mr. Richard , do you have an idea about salary of doctors in qatar ?
Hi. I understand that qr20’000 a month is about the pay however, some doctors receive qr40’000. You should be able to speak Arabic. If you are western, and have a specific specialty, then you may well get more than qr40’000. The pay it would appear, is not particularly great in Qatar
Hi Richard thanks for the video, can I ask what your job role is? And is it realistic that high qualified workers (for example IT Manager) can expect a much higher salary compared to Germany/US/UK? maybe even something crazy like double the amount of gross income (+in addition to the tax saves!)? Thanks in advance for your response
Hi Black, many thanks for your comment. My role in Qatar was a Programme Manager in the IT space. So.....you won't be able to double your pre-tax salary. If you do try, the accountant will pass you by regardless of how good you are. I asked for 40% above my gross to which the agency agreed. However, one week prior to me going over, the agent reduced my pay by some 15%. As you can imagine, I was not happy. Everything was in place and I had no option but to go over to Qatar (which was a good decission to be fair). I did state to the agent that as my pay had been reduced, they have now lost my flexibility to work beyond the stated fixed hours. Therefore, my pay was reduced but my hours of play and sleep was increased - balancing out perfectly. In the work place, this approach did become a problem therefore a few bonus's were paid to me and I did a little flex on certain production releases - but only a little. Do be careful on this approach with the agent. If you get an offer, and its contractual, it means nothing until you are in Qatar. Be prepared to stop your move to Qatar right up to the last minute. Hope this helps and the best of luck getting over to Qatar. I am more than sure you will have a great time if you go. Reach out when you get there :)
@@bankruptpensioner Hi Richard, thank you very much that helps me a lot! I really appreciate the experience you are sharing since valuable information is not abundant. Do you think you will be better off signing a contract directly with the local company or is working with an agency at home better/more save? And I’m also wondering how hard it is to change jobs. I mean you are highly experienced and the demand for professionals seems to outweigh the „supply“ by a lot or am I mistaken? In the end it’s not only about the money but for me example, I have 3 kids so moving there alone from Germany is a big sacrifice
@@blackkodiaq9878 Hi Black. Signing with business or go through agency? Qatar, as lovely as it is, is a very lazy culture. If they can, a business will offload their work to a third party - in this case an agency. And often is the case that the agency is sponsored by the same Qatari owner (as all businesses in Qatar do have a lead from a Qatari perspective). It is unusual on ones first role to be directly connected to the business however, this does happen. Once you are in Qatar, finding another role (when your project is complete) can be achieved however, you need to make the right Qatari contacts to make this happen. What you want to do is to be invited to another role, rather than having to apply to another role. Making your Qatari contacts will make this happen. If you are in Qatar, and have a residency permit, your chance of being invited to the next role are much higher than coming from the outside (via an agency). And to be clear, if their is an invite for a role, that role will go no where near an agency so.....if you see roles via an agency, then it looks like the business is having problems recruiting internally to the country. Moving alone......if you can take your family, then it would be a great experience for all. This is not possible in a lot of situations. Business are a bit wierd over there. If you go alone, then they may expect you not to leave the country for 6 months. Therefore, you would need to bring the family out to you to come see you. This is no major problem I guess. If you are alone, then making contacts as stated above, with Qataris, is no major issue. Just spend time with them and go on the various food meetings they have and make good friends. I found the male population (Qataris) are not quick decission makers in business, so let them know you are saving the day for their business. Whilst not great decission makers, they do have great memory and will take this into account as business change is performed. They will share your name with other businesses where you may well be able to help on some of their challenges. If you do take the family, then you can still perform the aforementioned, however, you will need to balance time required by the family - and the family will need your support in a big move to the middle east.
Does this help?
@@bankruptpensionerhi Richard thank you very much! Yeah that helps out a lot , much appreciated!
What company sponsored you to.go.to.qatar dogai😊
I would be breaching NDA's etc if I stated this. Good point, you are the first to ask 👍
Hello, really enjoy this video. Want to know about relationships. I met a guy vía dating app and he want me to go, meet each other in person and if we both want it go and live with him as a couple (gf/bf) but then I read that this is forbidden but he said that a lot of expats (he has a great and well remunarated job) do this but quietly and will not have any problems. What can you tell me about this? Thanks in advance .
Hi Lisette. Yes, what you have explained does happen. Go for it. Just be careful and don't advertise it to your work colleagues etc, friends yes, but not work. I hope you both have a healthly relationship and enjoy your time together. If I were you, and this assumes you are both madly in love with each other, you should both plan your exit route from Qatar and understand how this exit would work/happen. Remember, Qatar is a transient country. You will leave, not if, but when. Hope this helps.
100% accurate. Hahahaha.Same old Qatar. Still a good country, with all its flaws. Thanks for sharing.
Hi P, Qatar is Qatar. Very similar to other places in the region. I think Qatar has so much more to offer in the world however, they country has a passive 24 hour approach.
Fancy going to South Arabia not Saudi, South Arabia?
I hear it has hidden gems, just need the war/political conflict to be over
@@spidyman8853 Hi Spidy, generally speaking, I will go anywhere that needs delivery of technology. I am ok with going into a war as long as the relevent support is available etc. An aeroplane would also be nice allowing me to fly myself out if required. It also assumes the renumberation is in line with the risk of danger. So, yes, I would to South Arabia etc.
What job did you do out there and where did you apply. Thanks
PS: You seem like a cool guy.
Pilot
He was in the IT world
Hi Samsung, many thanks for the comment and for the PS regards being a cool guy. I wish my kids thought that :). My industry is within IT. I manage large digital transformations for businesses that require that kind of work. I have always worked in IT and started very young in the lat 1970's as a child, programming computers. I then progressed to management, then up to executive management. I then realised that the executive layer does not particularly bring great value to the customer, so I came down a level or two allowing me to influence the quality of the product being delivered to the customer. That is where I am now. I used to fly aeroplanes as well but that is another story. Due to the rating of aircraft (specialist) I fly and the aircrafts capabilities, I have maintained my minimum hours and licence.......just incase a customer needs some specialist work.
I no longer apply for jobs. I usually get head hunted by agents. If the job sounds interesting and fun, I then accept it. I am now 55, and I can honestly say, I have not needed to apply for a job for the last 25 years, they have always come looking for me. This head hunting is not so unusual in the IT sector. For my work in Qatar, this is exactly what happened. Head hunted, one conversation with the lead in Qatar, then over to Qatar to do the work. Hope you found this interesting and informative. :)
@@bankruptpensioner Glad to hear, wish you many more years of success. Amazing to hear that have been in the IT sector for such a long time. My IT skills are sadly limited to watching TH-cam videos.
You come across very genuine hence "cool guy", take care my friend.
Thanks Richard!
thanks for your comment NEXT :)
Thank you Richard for your inputs - I would like to ask for your opinion on - What I should be asking in terms of package for a Product&Marketing related position which is paid around 70k Euros in Germany ( almost same around 60-70k£ in the UK) -- I am keen on going so it wouldn't be a sacrifice for money but still want to get paid well, live comfortably and save enough for future.
What advice would you have? Around how much should I be looking to ask?
and it is the most reputable company from Qatar worldwide.
Thank you very much
Hi Alan, thanks for the comment. This is how I would work it out - and let's look at it from the UK perspective (tax and all other). If by gross (before tax deduction etc) salary was £70K, then I would be expecting somewhere in the region of about 75 or 80K in Qatar. I assume the taxes in Germany are differnt to the UK but you will get the idea. In the UK, when I work abroad, I do not have to pay taxes to the UK. I also assume this is the case for Germany. If I had to pay taxes back to the UK, I would then add that yearly amount to the mentioned 75/80k. Don't be too greedy, this then gives you an advantage or being good value for money. Tell me how it goes with your application. You then have the choice - do I party and leave Qatar (because you will at some point in the future) with no money OR....live relately frugal and save like you have never been able to save before.
Also - you will find the working culture in Qatar to be bizarre and often frustrating - expecially if you are coming from Germany where efficiency is the priority :) But thats OK, because you will have a great time living in Qatar.
Does this help?
@@bankruptpensioner Thank you very much Richard, I am aware of the working culture. (as much as I can be without being there). Considering this I will be asking the same amount of salary what I get here, minus the income tax. I think that's a pretty reasonable approach.
So my thinking is, yes I want to experience this but why would I also leave the social security and efficient work culture in Germany and go for an amount that wouldn't make huge difference. So I guess hiring experts from Europe would come with its price.
Anyway, this is the conclusion I have so far - Thank you so much for your comment.
QR6000 a month for an apartment! That's more than what I pay for a two bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania.
Hi, accomodation in Qatar can be quite expensive. the tax free wages certainly help to offset the cost of the accomodation. And trust me QR6000 is not expensive in this region. Thanks for the comment and see you very soon.
ONLY 6000QR????! Get me out of Seattle 😵😵😵 we're paying $3000 here for an apartment.... I would go to Pennsylvania but it's too much of a hillbilly place to live no offense
Hi Richard . How do yo find a property to rent ? are there any specific websites?thanks
Hi Khan, many thanks for the comment...........and a very good question. Qatar has its own classified site. This can be used from a computer or you can download the app from apple on android. The site is called Qatar Living. This is where most people find their properties for rent. Once you get connected to a property advisor, they can then help you find the property that you want. This is the address: www.qatarliving.com/
Hope this helps and the best of luck:)
What kind of job did you get there?
Hi Sinno, I was a technical project manager within IT.
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the response. How did you land that job? I’m looking to maybe do something like that. Move to the gulf to work and make more money. I’m taxed almost 40% in New York. Its ridiculous.
@@bankruptpensioner hi. Whats the best way to find work in the Gulf countries? I really would like to move and get a different experience in life.
hi, you said you need a degree to get a drivers license. what do you mean degree? i thought you’re able to get a drivers license as long as you have one in your home country.
Hi Amberlight, a degree - certification of passing the exams at the university. It's not just the degree but the combination of your qualifications and the role you perform whilst at Qatar. There are attributes within your role that state you can do this or that based on qualifications. This is the stupid bearocracy of the country and world to be fair.
Hi do you know if there is an option to find a job as seo specialist in quatar ? and is it good idead I m from europe but in my country you dont get a good salary so my goal is to where it would bo more preferable thank you
Hi Jop, best idea is work with the local agencies to you. They will help find a role in SEO however, you may find that working remote from where you live may well be an option as well. Reach out to the agencies in your country 👍
thank you for advice@@bankruptpensioner
hi Richard , i just wanna ask about an average salary in Qatar ?
Hi Georgia, many thanks for the comment. It really depends on the job and from where you are coming from. The same job - people from India get less than those from Europe and USA etc etc.
Great video. Thanks. I am planning to get a lecturing job in any Qatar university and move with my family. Please can you give me more tips about that? Private chatting if you don't mind
Hi O, thanks for the comment. You can email me at richard.bamforth@gmail.com. We can chat there if you wish.
I m big fan of u sir
Hi Razaul, may thanks for your comment and really pleased that you enjoy this content. I hope it brings some form of realistic value to you and all.
@@bankruptpensioner thanks sir
Hello Rich which part of Uk ru from :D
Hi Luna. Born in Yorkshire but now live in Staffordshire. Lovely part of the UK 😁
Hi Richard it's really nice having many qualified information from your video. Can you share some information or average salary of being employee as specialist in Qatar telecomunication company (for example Ooredoo) ?
Hi Me Nov, many thanks for the comment. It's great that this video brings you some value and I am trying to be balanced in the information that is offered allowing you the viewer to make some informed decissions for your life. I suspect an engineering specialist for Ooredoo would be on about QR15'000 a month however, it really depends on where you are locating from. If you came over from India, the pay would be less. If you came over from the USA, then the pay would be more. It is a little bizarre however this is how the system works. Hope this helps :)
What’s the cost of living like
Hi Ray, it's expensive however, it does not need to be so expensive. It really depends on your monthly pay.
@@bankruptpensioner would a family of 3 be able to survive on 25k monthly plus school fees covered by employer?
Did you not have a UK license that you could directly trade for the Qatari license?
Hi, it is all about the designation of your job. Take another look and this video explains all 👍
hey, i have a few questions as im planning on relocating there from melbourne.
How may I contact you?
Do I just list them here?
Hi Y26, thanks for the comment. Please ask your questions here. We can then share the learning with others who are thinking of making a leap to Qatar :). Looking forward to your questions :)
@@bankruptpensioner hey mate, sorry for the late reply. I wanted to think long and hard before coming up with a list of questions for you.
I hope you dont mind the long list, I may have a few more as time goes by if you dont mind...
I am planning my move to Qatar very soon to start work which will be located in Doha festival city.
1. which suburb would you recommend I rent in? I'm in search of a nice 2 bed apartment no more than 6k QAR/pm that will be easy for me to commute to and from work.
I hear the driving is bad there and I am a bit nervous about this... so looking for an area that has a good public transport system and isn't traffic heavy until I am okay on the roads.
btw, I'm a bit of a lazy bum so the closest suburb to place of work is preferred.
2. would you recommend to go with a furnished or unfurnished apartment?
3. preferred bank to use? do the banks have their own mobile apps so I can add to my phone and pay as I go?
4. preferred mobile/internet provider?
5. what is the work culture like over there? In Aus its extremely laid back and all companies are hybrid/remote over here. One of my biggest fears is leaving my very laid back job with hands down the best managers and going into a toxic work culture environment with harsh conditions...
more to come as I think....
@@yolmetec26 Hey, here we go. So, when you arrive in Qatar, you will go in a hotel. This is the case until you get your residency permit. Once this is in hand, you can then rent an apartment etc. That does not mean that you should not look in the meantime. Get a feel for what your budget will get you in your rented car (see below).
1. If you are working near festival, then get a place near there. It's a nice enough place and you should easily get an apartment for about 6k if not less. Do negotiate with the realtors as people are now leaving Qatar so the market is in your favour. Driving is not as bad as you think. In the summer months, walking to work is not really an option, a car with AC is the way forward. Once settled in your hotel, look on the QatarLiving app (OS and Android download app (download this now so you get a feel of the market over in Qatar before you arrive)) for available cars for sale (the prices are highly negotiable as the seller is often in a short time period before they leave the country). I bought plenty of motorcycles from there and there are plenty of cars available. You cannot own a car until you have your residency permit however......you can rent a car until your residency is available. You should also think about renting a car after you have your residency. You can get some good deals.
Check the Istamara (annual road worthyness certificate) and the insurance that would come with the car. The car is insured, not you.
2. Furnished. They come quite sparse so you can always add additional furniture. IKEA is at the Festival shopping centre (of which Festival is massive and has all you would ever want).
3. The business you work for will dictate the bank you go with. It's not your choice. Within a few days of being in Qatar, your business will send you to the bank to have an account created for you. All the banks have apps so no worries there. It really is easy stuff.
4. I was with Oredoo and found them to be great. Vodafone is also available. Pay monthly at a set fee or just top up as you need it. Up to you and the app allows you to top up from your bank. So very easy.
5. The work culture is fine. Stand your ground with your boss and collegues. This is what they will expect. I started at 7am and finished at 3pm. I suppose it depneds on the role you have on the hours you will work but you will be fine. Go out with your work collegues and their families. If you don't, it can get very lonely so go enjoy yourself (everyone else is so join the party). You will normally have friday and saturday off and work on sunday. Your new weekend is therefore friday and saturday. Most people who work in Qatar ride a wave and do take it easy. Don't burn yourself out as your team mates may think this strange.
And the safety aspect of living in Qatar is defo worth the move.
Does this help????
@@bankruptpensioner cheers mate, really appreciate the lengthy and informative response from you!
1. You mention people are now leaving Qatar. Out of curiosity, why is this the case? I thought we were all fleeing over, lol!
Would you then suggest I hang on to a rental car as opposed to buying one? Which option is more cost effective?
2. Thanks for this. I have been looking at Lusail and Al Nasr. They seem quite close to festival when I pop the location on to google maps it says its about an 11min drive. Hoping thats accurate-ish?
Are these traffic heavy areas?
I have also been looking at Al Wakra as the housing there seems quite affordable. Location distance to festival says approx. 30 mins drive.
Thanks heaps once again on the very detailed info. Super helpful!
@@yolmetec26 So....really good questions :)
1, most of the work for Qatar is now complete and many are leaving for that reason. The football is finished, and the stadiums are being removed (donated to the next country which is a good thing) therefore the management of this and other infrastructure stuff is starting to slow down. Qatar has a limited view of what it can bring to the world and when I was there, there interest in some of my ideas were not really considered. We need to understand that through oil and gas, the Qataris have all the money they need and as long as the shopping malls and restaurants can be made available to those, then life continues - but you don't need so many to control the infrastructure. I suspect building projects will begin to slow down as there is plenty of accommodation to satisfy a reducing population. Of course, this is only my thought.
2, Lusail. You may struggle to find accommodation for 6000. I lived in Onaiza where 6000 will get you a nice apartment in a villa, probably with a pool. It is close to West Bay (shopping and entertainment) and close to the Pearl for days and evenings out. In the morning, traffic will tend to move in the opposite direction to you if you are travelling to Festival, which is a good thing. Same on the afternoon run home. So you should be ok regards traffic. All you need to be concerned about is the air con in your car. It needs to work and work well :) Onaiza is a good option and should be considered.
Al Wakra - forget it. You will have to travel through the morning and afternoon traffic. It will drive you crazy and waste your precious time in traffic jams.
Rental cars. OK.....2000 to 3000 a month. And that’s for a normal car. The problem with people in Qatar is that you get a rush of what feels like tax free income and then you go buy an expensive car that may well be out of your financial reach in you homeland (possibly with a loan from the bank - of which they will give you massive loans). You then find you have a 4 week notice period from your employer and you need to get rid of the car. You can struggle and then sell it at a heavily reduced price etc etc etc. It is very easy to get into this game/trap/situation. What I would do is get something for 20,000qr like a Mazda 2, run it and then when you need to sell it, it will sell easily enough as the market for those who can afford to buy that vehicle is much larger. Motoring is very cheap in Qatar so servicing etc is not a problem. In my video, I stated there are two types of men that leave Qatar, those with money and those without. The vehicle you pick will take some of your money so don't be to extravagant. Of course, this is my opinion however, I have seen men crying at thought of leaving the country with no money after working in Qatar for a number of years.
Money - just as a final note, you should be saving 50% of your monthly every month - or averaging over the year. Based on your calculations, can this be achieved? if not, then it is probably not worth moving and working in Qatar (unless you are there just for a good time - and that’s ok too as long as you understand this from the onset). I walked away with a healthy lump sum from my savings after only working there for 20 months. Most of my colleagues (and I am saying 80%) did not save and walked away with nothing. I know I am sounding like an old fart but it is something to be considered.
Is this helpful?
Its very inspiring to speak like dix
Thank you Rocky, it's great that you enjoyed the video and found it useful :)
Hi Richard how can I apply job there? I'm an Australian citizen. Any particular job agency that you know ?
Hi User, many thanks for the comment. I can only suggest you make yourself available on something like LinkedIn or whatever app used in Oz. Then the agencies will see your interest where they can then work with partners over in the middle east. This is what happened to me. An agent just reached out via LinkedIn and that started the process. Make your profile clear that work in the middle east is of interest and the agencies will work with you. Hope this helps.
Can someone from England just sell up here and buy a house there and become a citizen of Qatar?
Don't think so
They don't dish out nationalities
But you can ask an immigration lawyer and see what they say
Hi Zumzum, thanks for the comment. Yes, the rules have just changed. Assuming you have enough capital, you are able to buy a property and become a citizen of Qatar. The following website offers all the information you need.
www.saakin.qa/blog/requirements-to-buy-properties-in-qatar#:~:text=The%20revisions%20in%20property%20ownership,to%20rent%20or%20sell%20it.
@@bankruptpensioner Thanks, I will definitely look in to it.
@@bankruptpensionerCan you become a citizen of Qatar, if you Come from a western country just to start a “new” chapter if your lige and try to live there with your family?
Thanks
@@Ameen2134 Hi A, thanks for the comment - assuming you have the right level of income or money in your account, I guess so. The new rules are straight forward. I guess if you cannot afford to live there once you have purchased your property, the authorities will just take the property off you and put you on a flight out of the country. Be aware, Qatar is not a charity. And for those who die and just have a residency permit (which would be you in your case), you body is put on a plane and shiped back to your home country. That is my understanding however, I may well be wrong on this - but I doubt it :)
How much is the night cost in hotel ?
Hi. Best idea is to use Booking.com. This will give you someidea of the costs of hotels in Qatar. Hope this helps :)
If living in the U.K. where would be the first place to look for a job in healthcare ? Pharmacist ?
Hi Z, thanks for the comment. I assume you are a Pharmacist. Therefore, talk to your healthcare employment agencies in the UK. One of them with have international opportunities and may well have work over in Qatar. I assume you will have no issues in getting a role over in Qatar as a Pharacist. Demand must be high in Qatar. Good luck :)
You can eat in Ramadan just be prepared from the night
Hi Ammar, thanks for your comment. You are right, when the sun goes down, 'we' feast.
@@bankruptpensioner no we respect other people's religion, if your not Muslim you can eat when ever you want, I don't know about qatar but most other countries it's fine 🙂
I am Canadian web developer. What would you say is a good way to find a job there for some one like me
Hi Vuvvy, I would suggest that you contact local businesses within Qatar direct. They will work with you to get you over to Qatar assuming the skills you have are required. Use Google and you should be able to find the information. This will be a good start......then connect with those people on LinkedIn and start the conversations in real time. This can then give you the opportunity to make the connections you need. Hopefully, one will then invite you to come over and say hello. It will start from that point. You will need to be able to tell these people why they need you onsite in Qatar. Hope this helps.
Hear its really expensive even more than Dubai
Only alcohol is expensive (relatively). It may well be the same in Dubai. I suspect rent and food would be very similar for Dubai and Qatar. Hope this helps.
How do you fair if you don't have a degree? Can you still earn decent money? My wife is a teacher and we are contemplating moving over, but i am a little worried about earning potential for myself. Also, are jobs hard to find without a degree? Thanks.
Hi Ross, lots of experience and successes, that's what got me to Qatar. Hopefully, you have some skills that would be of use to the country (I am sure you do). You don't always need a degree. Think of it this way. 1, it is easier to get work in Qatar if you are already in Qatar! 2, you don't need a degree to get a job BUT if the role title has the word "Manager" in it then you will need a degree (BUT - if you are the right person, they will change the "Manager" bit of the role title to something like "Lead" - allowing you to get the job). 3, You don't have to work for someone. You can always start up a small side line to get some cash. 4, you could always do a remote job from the UK (or wherever you are) and be paid into an account of that country (eg UK). 5, You could do a support job in the school that the wife works at just to get started and stop you from getting bored. 6, if you have kids, be a dad for the kids and look after them whilst in Qatar. 7, if you get bored, there is plenty of voluntary work (at the weekends, I worked at the dog rescue kennels for some time).
What's the worst that would happen? Go for it. Your true friends will want to come visit straight away. All the others, well they were just colleagues etc - so no major loss there. You will find it ever so weird how absoloutly safe the place is! People smile and have a great time. Beer is expensive, that's a downside. Family will come out and see you.
More questions? Fire away :)
@@bankruptpensioner thanks for the reply! Some really good advice to think about there! Reassuring to know it's easier to find work once you're actually situated over there! First 9 months I wouldn't* be able to work in any case, as if be over there on my wife's visa. The remote working thing I hadn't actually contemplated at all! I see a lot of Health and safety roles being advertised over there. Would you say they are very highly contested jobs and would it be worth me completing the NEBOSH General certificate beforehand? Sorry for the bombardment of questions.. and the "not being able to drive a car" rule is crazy 🤣
@@rosshudson5709 OK Ross. Like most countries, it's easier when you are there.
I have lived in a few countries and this is always the case. Please confirm "9 months I would" should that be "wouldn't"? I assume so.
If this is the case, then start to plan remote working. There must be plenty of consultancy work where policy documentation for a 'business' should be created/reviewed/approved. You could do this with your library of policy documents that you already have on your hard drive 😉!!!
Read the next paragraph carefully, then read it again 😆
Any certification is only a bonus so get your certificates (if you can) before your get to Qatar. Highly contested jobs; ok, this is where it gets a bit silly. Every role is in high competition from our Indian counterparts. Our Indian friends charge a much lower rate than the western world. Sometime, a business will see the positive of having a western person in the team and the addition costs of that westerner as a benefit for kudos when presenting their case to their customer (be this customer being internal or external). A western face brings a certain reassurance. I have to warn you, with a story and this may well apply to your specialty (unless you are in a highly governed industry - for example aviation). A colleague got a consultancy role in the public sector space. Highly regarded and well qualified westerner. Looked great for the team. After a few months, this colleague realised that it did not matter what he said, many recommendations were simply brushed to the side. He struggled with this at first and had frustrations. He then accepted where his position was in the team and why he was in the team and then simply rode the gravy train. In H&S, you may experience this problem. I am just warning you but I hope I am wrong. You have to accept that different cultures expect different things. As you work over in Qatar, you will hear the term "Inshallah" all day when at work. This means "by the will of God" therefore responsibility/accountability is passed to a high being (if you know what I mean). You will hear this term a lot in your industry.
Driving License - Qatar has a government list of job titles (designation). With each job title, depending on your qualifications, you have certain rights. In my job title, I was able to have a driving license for a car as long as I had a degree - of which I did not. Having a commercial pilots license (worth a Masters in most countries) had no value in Qatar. Some of the rules are a little strange and are driven from the Indian imperialist mindset, not the Qatari's as most of the laws do not apply to Qatari's 😆. Nothing cooler that riding to Hamad international airport on a motorbike and getting in an aeroplane 😆. Hanging of your wife's visa, you should be able to easily get a driving license.
The world has changed a lot over the past three years with covid etc and the ability to work remotely has ballooned. You should seriously look at this option. You will need a quality laptop and setup allowing you to manage documentation and share documents effectively. You may also find that you are expected to travel to your clients location out of Qatar. This should not be a problem 👍.
I am not trying to convince you to move over to Qatar. Whilst you will have a great time, I am just trying to open your eyes to a larger world. Does the above help? Richard.
Great narration
Hi Mustafa, thanks for the comment. I do hope you found it useful and informative. I find there are lots of videos that are just made on the beech and offering information that is not wholly accurate. :)
Would you go back?
Hi Lynda, thanks for the comment. Yes, I would go back as long as the project was interesting. This is my want at my stage in life and money is not the priority……which it was when I first started in Qatar in 2017. Qatar is a great place to work and live. ❤️
Thank you for sharing
Hi BA, thats for the comment :)