Qatar is one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries that many people choose to work in. Why? The opportunities are plenty, the salary is good and you also do not have to pay any tax on your income.

If you are finding jobs in Qatar, here’s how you can prepare.

Understand the Job Market

Qatar is a booming economy and finds its place among the richest nations in the Middle East.

The GCC country owes its wealth to its oil and gas reserves. The country invests a good amount in infrastructure development.

Not only this, the Qatari government has been implementing sound strategies to strengthen the economy. It has also increased the number of job opportunities creating a very promising job market.

While oil and gas remain the major streams of business and thereby income, the Qatari government is now focusing on other sectors too. Chief among these include hospitality, construction, real estate, medicine, IT, law and finance.

Unlike Kuwait which gives priority to locals, Qatar provides equal job opportunities to locals and expats.

The oil and gas industry is the best paying in Qatar be it managerial or technician level jobs. The construction and building industry also absorbs a large amount of the labour force in the country. The demand for construction jobs is also higher now given that Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It is expected to drop by a small margin post the games.

Qatar offers highly-rewarding opportunities to skilled professionals in the finance and insurance industry. The tourism and hospitality industries are also picking up gradually.

The state of Qatar is home to multinational companies; they have their Middle east branches in Qatar. There are plenty of home-grown businesses too that provide employment to a large percentage of expats in the nation.

The Arab nation believes in providing equal work opportunities irrespective of race or gender. It is not uncommon to see women occupying positions of power in government bodies and companies. Nevertheless, the percentage of women is higher in industries such as teaching and medicine.

Should You Work in Qatar?

As per the Global Peace Index 2021, the State of Qatar ranked twenty ninth globally and first among the Middle East and North African nations. The peace factor is one of the main reasons expats choose Qatar as their place of work.

Qatar has a modern, metropolitan vibe. The towering buildings featuring glamorous architectural designs, an abundance of shopping malls and quality education and health care give it its unique character. Everything about Qatar conveys the idea of luxury, comfort and wealth. The standard of living is high and the lifestyle excellent.

This is the place you want to live and the kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy.

The Middle Eastern state has predetermined labour laws that protect employees, locals and expats. The typical work week in Qatar is from Sunday to Thursday. Employees working overtime are eligible for extra pay, annual leave, paid sick leave and health insurance.

As an expat, you may be entitled to other benefits too. Some of these include house rent allowance, annual return flights and allowance for dependent education. The benefits you get however could vary depending on your contract.

Working in Qatar - Permits and Visas

You cannot enter the country without a valid visa. This is provided by the sponsoring company who should also take care of the other paperwork.

But that is not all. On entering the country, you will have to secure a residence permit. In order to get one, you will need to submit your certificates and passport. The process is completed by the sponsoring company and may require additional documentation. One will have to undergo select medical tests too as well as record the fingerprints. Employers will also do a criminal check into the employees background before hiring them.

A sponsored expat can bring along their spouse, children and dependent parents to Qatar.

Despite having several laws favouring employees, Qatar is also strict about employee behaviour. For instance, you can only work for the company/agency that has offered the job. In the event that you would like to switch your job, it will need a no objection certificate from your employer.

The no objection certificate is also mandatory when exiting the country.

Qatar is an Islamic country. Expats are expected to respect and adhere to certain religious and cultural taboos. You need to be careful about clothing. Besides, Qatar does not allow unmarried couples to live together too.

Where to Look for Vacancies

Searching for jobs in Qatar can get a little confusing, especially if this is your first time you are looking for a job outside your local area. Here’s where to look:

Look up online job portals that feature job vacancies in Qatar. You can filter your search based on your field. Alternatively, you can post your CV to the online job portal sites too. They will notify you of vacancies.

You can also approach a recruitment agency for a job in Qatar. They network with local and international companies and help match a candidate with the best available job.

Visit the Qatar embassy in your country. They should be able to help you with the available vacancies.

If you have friends or relatives working in Qatar, you can always forward your CV. Networking will help you land a job in Qatar much faster than if you set out on your own.

A job fair could be another potential way to get a heads up on a job vacancy in Qatar.

You can also apply for a job directly on a company website. If you have certain companies in mind, you can follow them on professional sites such as LinkedIn or keep checking the “Careers” section on the company website.

English is the language used for all official purposes and business processes. However, a working knowledge of Arabic will definitely give you an advantage.

Follow the instructions on looking for a job in Qatar. It will make your job hunt for jobs in Qatar a lot easier.