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How To Settle in Qatar PDF
How To Settle in Qatar PDF
How To Settle in Qatar PDF
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WELCOME ON BOARD!
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WELCOME ON BOARD!
Getting settled in a foreign country usually involves a number of administrative
tasks.
In this booklet, we have assembled some practical information, which might
be useful to you as you are planning your move to the Kingdom of Qatar We
have put this together with the help of other colleagues, who have recently
made the move from abroad and who wanted to share their knowledge in
order to make your experience a successful one.
Should you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact our
KPMG Bahrain & Qatar HR Manager (direct dial +973 17222301).
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Table of Contents
Physical Characteristics
Location
Area
National flag: The national flag is maroon colour with a broad vertical white stripe at the
pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.
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Meaning of the flag:
Capital City
Population
Religions
Languages
Government
Geography
History
Commercial hours
TAXATION
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SOCIAL SECURITY
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Accommodation
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TELEPHONES
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Hotels:
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SHOPPING MALLS
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Car Hire
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Hospitals:
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Physical Characteristics
Location
Qatar is an independent state in the Southern Arabian Gulf
surrounded by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab
Emirates and Iran. The country is situated midway along
the western coast of the Arabian Gulf between latitudes
24.27 - 26.10 North and longitude 50.45 - 51.40 East. It
is approximately 11,437 square kilometers on a low-lying
limestone peninsula projecting northward about 160
kilometers into the Gulf. The coastline is 550 kilometers
long and bounds the country to the west, north and east.
Area
total: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
National flag:
The national flag is maroon colour with a broad vertical white stripe at the
pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.
Meaning of the flag:
Capital City
Doha
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Population
In March 2004, The Planning Council announced the preliminary phase
results of the new population census. According to the 2004 census, Qatars
population reached 742,883 increasing by 42.3% from the 1997 census of
522,023.
The 2004 census shows an average annual increase of 6.0% during the
period 1997-2004, compared to the annual average increase of 3.7% during
1986-1997. The rapid increase in population over the last few years is
attributed to the strong performance of the economy, which has resulted in a
large number of projects coming online, thereby leading to the influx of
professionals, service and contracting sector staff and others.
Religions
Islam is the official religion of the country, and the Shariah (Islamic Law) is the
principal source of legislation in the country.
Languages
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second
language.http://www.asiatour.com/index.htm
Government
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani became the new Emir of the State of
Qatar on June 26, 1995, continuing the rule of the Al-Thani family that began
nearly two centuries ago. Sheikh Hamad was acclaimed
Crown Prince in 1977 and at the same time was appointed
Minister of Defense. In the early 1980's he led the Supreme
Planning Council, which sets the Qatar's basic economic and
social policies. Since 1992, Sheik Hamad has selected Qatar's
cabinet and been responsible for administering the country's
day-to-day affairs. He has also led the development of Qatar's
oil and natural gas resources.Sheikh Hamad, who was born in 1952, began
his education in Qatar and attended Sandhurst Military Academy in England.
Upon his graduation in 1971, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel
in the Qatari armed forces and commanded the 1st Mobile Battalion, which
has since been designated the "Hamad Mobile Battalion" in his honor. Sheikh
Hamad was later promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed
Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces. He oversaw an extensive
program to modernize Qatar's military, increasing manpower, creating new
units, updating weaponry, and improving training. The effects of this program
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were evident during the Gulf War when Qatari forces helped liberate Kuwait
and led the battle for the recapture of the Kuwaiti town of Khafji. A keen
sportsman and an accomplished diver, Sheikh Hamad has played an active
role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar. His activism has
enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of
international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and
field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the GCC,
Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open
Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis
competitions in the Middle East.
Geography
Qatar is a small peninsula some 11,437 square kilometers in size located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf and the territory of the State is
comprised of a number of Islands including: Halul - an oil storage center,
Sharaauh, the Hawar Archipelago and Al-Bashiriya, Al-Safiliya andAl -Aliya
islands.
The population of Qatar is 742,000 and has been increasing
at a rate of about 9% annually in recent years. The majority of
the population resides in the capital city of Doha, an old port
city with all of the modern day amenities. Some of the
nation's other major cities include: Mesaieed and Al-Wakrah
in the southern part of the country, Ras Laffan and Al-Khor in
the north and Dukhan on the west coast of the peninsula.
Qatar has a flat rocky terrain covered with sand flats and dunes. There are
some exceptional low-rising outcrops in the north and northwest of the
country. The country has a hot desert climate with temperatures ranging
between 25 and 46 degrees Centigrade during the summer, with high
humidity in coastal cities and towns. The months of April, May, October and
November tend to be the most temperate.
History
The area occupied by Qatar has been settled since the Stone Age. After the
rise of Islam in the 7th cent. A.D. it became part of the Arab caliphate, and
later of the Ottoman Empire. In the late 18th cent. it became subject to
Wahhabis from the region of present-day Saudi Arabia; they were later
supplanted by the Al Thani dynasty. During the Turkish occupation from 1871
to 1913, senior members of the Al Thani family were named deputy
governors; subsequently, Qatar became a British protectorate, with Abdullah
bin Jassim al-Thani recognized as emir. In 1971, Qatar became independent
of Great Britain. In 1972 the reigning emir, Ahmad ibn Ali al-Thani, was
deposed by his cousin Khalifa ibn Hamad al-Thani. He in turn was deposed in
June, 1995, by his son and heir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who as crown
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Government offices are open from 7:00am to 2:00pm daily from Sunday to
Thursday.
*Friday is the day of communal prayer for Muslims and is the primary
rest day in the country.
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HSBC
The Central Bank
Qatar National Bank (QNB)
The Commercial Bank of Qatar Limited
Doha Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
ANZ Grindlays Bank, PLC
The Arab Bank
The United Arab Bank
Al Ahli Bank of Qatar
Mashreq Bank
BNP Paribas
Saderat Iran Bank
Qatar Islamic Bank
Qatar International Islamic Bank
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Types of Visas:
1. Tourist Visa
Applications for tourist visas are submitted to the immigration Department
(Airport Visas Section) by one of the registered hotels. Visas are usually given
within 24 hours and are valid for 14 days. They can be extended for another
14days.
2. Business Visa
The firms PR Officer submits an application to the Immigration Department
(Airport Visa Section). Visas are usually given within 24 hours and are valid
for 14 days. They may be extended for another 70 days.
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8. Working Visa
establishment
Valid
for
one
year
and
more
for
company/
The Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Interior issue approval. Entry free for
work visas is QR 220 formalities for stamping work resident permit.
a. Medical Examination
b. Finger Prints
c. Stamping Labour Department employment contract.
d. Blood group certificate.
e. One photograph(not to be white background)
One year resident permit for work free QR 1052+ QR 50 total 1102.
Exit permit: work resident require exit permit for travel
Residence Visas
1) Residence Work Visa
The Ministry of Interior issues approval. The PR officer submits the
application, handles fees and collection of visa.
2) Residence Visa ( for families): An application is submitted to the
Ministry of Labour and the following documents are required:
a. Passport photo copies of the Employee, spouse and children
b. Bank Statement of salary for six months signed and sealed by
the banks authority.
c. Marriage certificates r
d. Children birth certificates r
e. Educational certificates for the Employee.r
r: should be ratified by the relevant embassy & Ministry of Foreign AffairsState of Qatar.
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Taxation
Qatar is a tax-free country and you will not be required to pay any taxes to the
Government.
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Social Security
The PRO will take care of your registration with the Social Security Department by
submitting the following documents:
a) Application form signed by employer and employee
b) Copy of passport (details, entry stamp and residency permit pages)
c) Copy of the CPR card
Once you are registered at the Department of Social Security, the firm pays an
amount of 3% of the basic salary to the Department of Social Security. No deductions
are made from the employees salary.
Accommodation
Currently numerous flats are available for rent because of continuous
construction of buildings on the island. There are a limited number of 1bedroom flats available.
Current rates for flats of reasonable quality are:
1 bed room QR 1500 per month
2 bed room QR 2000 per month
3 bed room villas (usually in a compound) QR 4000 upward.
Furniture and Household Goods
Furnishing a 2 bedroom flat would cost between QR 20,000-25,000, including
appliances (TV, video, washing machine, air conditioners etc).
TELEPHONES
A deposit of QR2000 is required to have a local line at your residence for
making local and international calls. Mobile lines are available using GSM or
pre-paid services, depending your budget you should contact Q-tel for the
ever.
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Hotels:
Ritz-Carlton Doha
(West Bay Lagoon)
Doha - Qatar
Tel: (974) 484 8000
Fax: (974) 484 8484
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/doha
Inter-Continental Doha
Al-Istiqal Road (West Bay Lagoon)
Doha - Qatar
Tel: (974) 484 4444
Fax: (974) 483 9555
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/dohha
Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort
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Harees: a rich delicacy of wheat and tender lamb cooked and beaten until it
has the texture of a thick paste. Usually served during the month of Ramadan.
Seafood: you will enjoy fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
lobster, cigale, crab, hamour (grouper), shrimp, tuna, kingfish, pomfret and
red snapper.
Delicious regional desserts include:
Umm Ali (literally means Mother of Ali): a type of bread pudding that is full
of nuts and white raisins.
Esh asaraya (meaning bread of the harem): a sweet kind of cheesecake
with a cream topping.
Mehalabiya: a pudding sprinkled with rose water and pistachios.
Biriani
Waraq enab
Koussa mahshi
Mehalabiya
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Restaurant
Restaurants
Restaurant Name
Note
Location
Telephone
Al Bandar
Seafood/International
Doha Corniche
4311818
Albatros
Continental
Al-Bustan Hotel
4398888
Al-Borj
Steaks/snacks
4839000
Al Dar
Arabic/Asian
Doha Club
4418822
Al Hamra
Syrian/Lebanese
Rayyan Road
4433297
Al Hubara
Theme/International
4854444
Al Majlis
Lebanese/Arabic
Al Sadd Street
4447417
Al Mina
4432432
Al Safeer
Fine Dining
4839000
AI-Shaheen
Fine Dining
4854444
Roast Beef/Burgers
Ramada Junction
4657333
Chicken/Burgers
Ramada Junction
4650022
Burger King
4431391
Dairy Queen
Pizza Hut
American Pizza
Ramada Junction
4657744
4320982
The Centre
4440202
Dairy Queen
Ice Cream/Sundaes
Ramada Junction
4320982
TCBY
Frozen Yoghurt
Ramada Junction
4321122
Coffee/Pastries/Meals
4854444
Cafe Batteel
Coffee/Pastries/Meals
Salwa Road
4441414
Cafe Trottoir
Coffee Shop
Drive-in Pastry
Coffee/Pastries
Hotel Sofitel
4432432
4418822
4435222
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SHOPPING MALLS
Traditional Markets
Souq Waqif
In the city center. Its shops open early in the morning,
close for noon recess and open again in the evening.
Most of the traditional handcrafted objects, incense,
perfumes and spices are displayed there. This market
has many jewelry, tailoring, embroidery, bishoot (men's cloaks) and abayat
(women's cloaks) shops. Swords, daggers and various goods are also on
display in this market.
Thursday and Friday Market
It displays goods in stalls in a spacious open area on Salwa road. Shoppers
gather in this market from Thursday and Friday morning till
late in the evening, and the market sells miscellaneous
low-quality goods at low prices.
City Center Market
These markets include Souq Faleh, Souq Al Aseeri, Souq
Al Jabr, Souq Al Deerah and Souq Al Ahmed. They sell
fabrics, clothes and small electrical goods and they open day and night.
Education & Schools
The State's comprehensive educational system provides
Arabic speaking expatriates with the full range of schooling
requirements from the primary to the secondary stage, as well
as university studies in Doha. Parallel to this system, there are a number of
community schools in Doha which cater to expatriate non-Arabic speaking
children. Exact details should be checked with Qatar Petroleum prior to
arrival.
Mesaieed Nursery School
Mesaieed Nursery School has the distinction of being the first education
provider in esaieed. It can trace its origins back to 1982 when a small group of
Qatar Petroleum employees expressed a desire for the provision of Nursery
education for the children in the community.
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Phone
Fax
Al Jazeera Academy
469 3777
468 2555
442 1377
442 0885
466 3102
466 3102
British Council
442 6193
442 3315
467 2570
467 2570
437 3931
441 2857
482 5555
482 5500
Doha College
468 7379
468 5720
487 0170
487 5921
469 1635
469 1633
468 4495
468 7897
French School
483 5800
483 5808
468 4929
468 2939
Jordanian School
466 0897
466 4328
Lebanese School
468 3210
468 9818
Car Hire
Air-conditioned cars at a range of prices are available for hire from local car
rental firms. A chauffeur may be arranged at an additional cost.
Radar
Radar systems are now in operation checking speed inside cities and along
highways. The speed limit when driving inside cities ranges from 50 to 100 km
per hour, when driving along highways: 100 to 120 km per hour.
Vehicle Registration
When registering a vehicle, you must have in your possession a valid Qatari
driving license and an insurance certificate valid for three years for the vehicle
being registered.
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In the case of a new vehicle, the car dealer will probably arrange this for you.
In the case of a second hand car, you will be expected to visit the Traffic
Department together with the previous owner.
Car Road License
All vehicles must be licensed before they are allowed to be driven on the road.
Car road licenses are issued by the Traffic Police Office and are valid for 12
months from their date of issue. Renewals are carried out in the same office. It
is obligatory to have a valid insurance policy when renewing your road
license. If the car is three years old or more, a mechanical check-up is
required as a condition for renewal of the license.
Car Insurance
It is obligatory to have vehicles insured and one should be advised as to the
scope of one's insurance coverage for third parties and passengers. There
are several insurance companies operating in Qatar with whom you will be
able to arrange the insurance coverage to meet your requirements. The
yellow pages of the telephone directory has a list of the addresses and
telephone numbers of the insurance companies.
The following is a list of some of the insurance companies operating in
Qatar:
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Hospitals:
Hamad General Hospital
Hamad General Hospital extends a highly
specialized care to all the people of Qatar through a
modern and well-equipped facility at Rayyan Road.
The hospital opened in 1982 and has a total of 621
beds for inpatient care, a large outpatient
department providing 65 specialty clinics, an
Accident and Emergency Department, five intensive
care units, eight operating theaters, and a
pharmacy. Modern diagnostic facilities consisting of Department of Laboratory
Medicine and Pathology and a Department of Radiology support all
therapeutic services. Continuous upgrading of all equipment and protocols of
care has kept Hamad General abreast of new developments in all specialties.
The steady rise in the number of patients seeking care at Hamad General
Hospital has stimulated the expansion of services to meet the demand.
Demand for specialized care is the result of continuous population growth.
Hamad General Hospital is one of three hospitals managed by Hamad
Medical Corporation (HMC), the only health care corporation in the state. The
other hospitals are Rumailah Hospital, refurbished in 1977 and Womens
Hospital, opened in 1988. Hamad General Hospital is located at Rayyan
Road in the capital city of Doha and is physically connected to Womens
Hospital and by an access road to Rumailah Hospital.
Rumaillah Hospital:
The Rumaillah Hospital is Qatars oldest health facility. Originally built in 1956,
Rumaillah Hospital opened in 1957 as a 200-bed general hospital with
ambulance
services
and
a
large
outpatient
facility.
Following the opening of Hamad Hospital in 1982, Rumaillah Hospital became
a rehabilitation center for disabled adults, elderly people and handicapped
children. With many of its units requiring major renovation, management
launched a 10-year program to rebuild the facility in three phases.
The completion of the renovation program for
Rumaillah Hospital in 1997 was a hallmark for
the Corporation. Qatars oldest health care
facility was refurbished into a modern yet quiet
hospital offering a 306-bed facility with a
spacious, clean and restful environment.
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Private Hospitals
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