Qatar (frequently asked questions)
Can I drink alcohol in Qatar?
The short answer is ‘yes’. But there are restrictions. You can drink booze in five-star hotels and their associated restaurants, bars and clubs. You can also drink in the privacy of your own home, but to purchase alcohol for home consumption you’ll need a special ‘alcohol license’ which your employer must approve. They’re not under any obligation to do so.
What about sex?
Technically, it’s illegal to have sex outside marriage. But it’s one of those laws that everyone is happy to ignore. The only time this may become an issue is if a western man has a relationship with a Qatari woman (and her family find out). This is not a situation you want to find yourself in… Also, if you’re planning on giving birth in Qatar you’ll need to supply the father’s name. If he’s not your husband you can face jail time and deportation. All of this depends on your passport, surname, etc, but we’ll get into all that later in the book.
Is the country safe?
Yes, very much so. Forget what Fox News has told you, the Middle East is not all religion and violence. Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low crime rate. Or to put it another way, you’re more likely to be assaulted, robbed, or murdered in the U.S., U.K., or Australia.
Do I need Arabic language skills?
No, you’ll be totally fine with English. While Arabic is the official language, almost everyone speaks some English, and most Qataris are fluid in conversational English. Knowing some Arabic can help you when it comes to negotiating deals or bartering at the markets, but menus, road signs and almost everything else is in both Arabic and English.
Can I come and go as I please?
That depends. If you’re over on a tourist visa and doing ‘Dubai runs’ while working off-the-books you can come and go as you please. If you’re over officially then you’ll have a sponsor and they can dictate the terms of your coming and going.
Will I be sexually harassed?
If you’re a woman, the honest answer is ‘almost certainly’. Whether it’s construction workers from South Asia or local guys in LandCruisers, attitudes towards women are a little different out here. Harassment is an unfortunate fact of life.
Will I earn a fortune and retire rich?
Depends. Life in Qatar is surprisingly expensive for westerners, and it’s very easy to waste the bulk of your pay on rent, fancy hotels, cars, holidays and the sort of lifestyle that this place encourages. If you want to earn serious money you’ll need to work in the construction or oil industry for a private company. Government-associated jobs have much lower pay grades for foreigners, but they usually include accommodation and various other perks.
Should I come to Qatar?
That’s up to you. If you’re adventurous, open minded and halfway competent at what you do, then Qatar offers all kinds of opportunities. Just don’t stay for more than 3–4 years.
You can find more tips on living and working in Qatar in my book — God Willing: How to survive expat life in Qatar.