Getting

This helpguide withsets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Qatar

Qatar. Read about how our Embassy in Doha can help.

Help

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Qatari government

authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

ForSupport anyfor questionsBritish aboutNationals movingabroad: toa orguide sets livingout inhow Qatar,British younationals maycan bestay ablesafe toabroad getand helphow fromthe the:

• QatarFCDO Embassycan inhelp London
• Qatarif Ministryyou ofdo Interior

get into difficulty.

The UKvast governmentmajority andof the British Embassyexpatriates inand Dohavisitors cannothave givea personalisedtrouble advicefree onand movingenjoyable to,time livingwhile staying or retiringliving in Qatar.

Professional helpForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office research shows that the majority of difficulties that British nationals find themselves in Qatar

Youabroad can alsobe getavoided. helpRespecting fromlocal English-speakinglaws professionalsand incustoms Qatar,can including:

• lawyers
• translators
• notaries

Helphelp fromyou theavoid UKgetting government

Readinto thetrouble. travelHave advicea forgreat time in Qatar tobut understandmake the risksnecessary preparations to ensure you mayare facewell ifinformed and know what is expected of you liveas ina orvisitor visitand Qatar.resident Thisof includesthis thecountry. latestFor further information on:

• visasplease andvisit entrythe requirements
• lawsForeign, andCommonwealth cultural& differences
• safetyDevelopment andOffice’s Travel security

Advice (you can sign up for email alerts), as well as our guide about the support we are able to offer British nationals abroad.

Read ourgeneral guidance onon moving moving, living or retiring abroadabroad..

GetTo helpstay fromup theto UKdate: governmentfollow abroad,the includingBritish inEmbassy anDoha emergency.on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

LawsSocial ethics and cultural differencestraditions

ReadThere aboutare lawsa andfew culturalthings differencesyou need to know while you are here to ensure that your time in safetyQatar andis securitymemorable, for all the right reasons. Keep in mind that the travellaws adviceand forvalues of Qatar.

This includes:

• religion
• dressare code
• relationshipsdifferent outsideto marriage
• drug,the alcoholUK, and smokingyou should follow the laws
• travel bans

Visas,of residencythe andcountry citizenship

you are in.

Traditions

MakeQatar sureis youbuilt meeton generations of Islamic traditions. These traditions have been passed down from generation to generation and form the entryvery requirementscornerstone of everyday life for Qatara beforeQatari youfamily. travel.

VisasThe andQataris residenceare permits

Checkwelcoming whichpeople visawho orshow residencetolerance permitand youan needopen-minded approach to livevisitors. inTheir Qatar.culture and values should always be respected.

Expat community

YouThe canpopulation getof Qatar is now almost 3 million. In the last 20 years, Doha has gone through a visatotal ortransformation residencefrom permitsmall to:

• work
• study
• liveArab withpearl familytrading inport Qatar
• buyinto property

Toa getmodern city with a visavision ortaking residenceit permit,through youto need2030. Doha is a sponsor.vibrant Thiscity, couldand beyou your:

• employer
• universitywill ormeet highermany educationpeople institution
• spousefrom ormany parent

places and cultures, with different values and opinions.

Social ethics

YourThe sponsorculture and laws in Qatar are designed to ensure that everyone is responsiblerespectful forof arrangingeach yourother visaregardless orof residencetheir permit,faith and gettingnationality. youVisitors aand Qatarresidents ID.alike  Youshould willavoid needtypes toof haveimproper aconduct medicaland exambehaviour andwhich providecan aotherwise copylead ofto yourfines, fingerprints.imprisonment and deportation.

You’llSexual needrelationships youroutside Qatarof IDmarriage toare accessillegal, keyirrespective servicesof any relationship you may have with your partner in Qatar,the UK or elsewhere. Cohabiting, including banking,in accommodationhotels is also illegal. If you become pregnant outside of marriage, both you and medicalyour treatment.

partner face the possibility of imprisonment. If you wantseek medical attention during the pregnancy and do not have a marriage certificate, medical professionals are obligated to extendreport yourthe visa,pregnancy applyto onlinethe onpolice. There will be legal ramifications when registering the Ministrybirth ofwith Interiorthe visalocal extensionauthorities pageand obtaining a birth certificate.

Holding hands for married couples is accepted but kissing or visitany another immigrationpublic office. displays of affection are considered offences against public decency.

ToHomosexuality renewis yourillegal residencein permit,Qatar. yourThere sponsorhave orbeen employerreports canof applyindividuals throughbeing punished for homosexual activity and/or sexual activity outside marriage, particularly where there is any public element, or the Ministrybehaviour ofhas Interiorcaused governmentoffence. serviceSee appour information Metrashand advice page. for the LGBT community before you travel.

ForSexual moreharassment information,or readrandomly guidanceaddressing fromwomen the:in public, or taking their photos without permission, is strictly frowned upon.

• Qatar

  Offensive Ministrylanguage, ofspitting Interior

• Qatarand Embassyaggressive behaviour (including hand gestures) are viewed very seriously and can result in Londonimprisonment aboutand visas

Permanentdeportation. residency

This includes “road rage”.

YouQatar mayhas bea ablezero-tolerance topolicy applytowards fordrinking permanentand residencydriving. inYou Qatarcan be charged and imprisoned if you meetare caught with even the conditions.smallest  amount of alcohol in your system.

ToSmoking findis outforbidden ifinside you’regovernment eligiblebuildings, offices and howshopping tomalls. apply,There readare guidancehowever onmany permanentdesignated residencyareas fromwhere thesmoking Ministryis allowed.

Be aware of Interior. cultural    sensitivities when filming or photographing people as taking pictures of people without their consent can cause offense. Some visitors attempting to film or photograph near religious, military, government or constructions sites have been arrested. If in doubt, seek permission.

CitizenshipAlcohol and pork

QatarIt doesis notan recogniseoffence dualto citizenship.drink Thisalcohol meansor thatbe youdrunk mayin public. Alcohol consumption is allowed only by non-Muslims in licensed restaurants, bars, clubs and at home (for residents who have a liquor permit). Non-Muslim Qatar residence permit holders can obtain a liquor permit to givepurchase upalcohol (renounce)and yourpork Britishfrom citizenshipQatar Distribution Company (QDC). QDC is the only licensed distributor to becomesupply individuals with alcohol and pork. To obtain a Qatariliquor citizen.permit, you must have permission from your employer.

ToThis findpermit outis ifonly you’rea eligiblepermit for Qataribuying citizenship:

• readalcohol. informationIt does not give any immunity from alcohol related criminal offences. Don’t carry alcohol around with you (except to take it on the lawday onof Qataricollection nationality
• contactfrom the Qatarwarehouse Embassyto your home). It is an offence to carry alcohol in London
• contactyour car if you do not hold the Qatarliquor Ministrypermit. If you come to the attention of Interior

Helpthe withpolice, visa,you residencymay andbe citizenshiparrested, applications

even though you may have purchased the alcohol legally. The Britishlegal Embassydrinking age in DohaQatar cannotis help21, withand Qatariestablishments visa,serving residencyalcohol orwill citizenshipask applications.for original photo ID upon entry.

Drugs

ForDrugs anyare questionsstrictly orforbidden, issues,regardless contact:

• of the Qataramount. MinistryConsuming ofor Interior
• carrying drugs, even if you are transiting through the Qatarairport Embassyfrom one country to another, is taken very seriously in London
• anQatar, English-speakingand lawyercan result in Qatar

Sponsoringsevere familypenalties. membersBuying toor liveselling withnarcotics youis considered a serious crime which can result in Qatarlife-imprisonment   

Youor maycan be ablepunishable toby sponsordeath. someIf familyyou membersare using prescribed drugs it is advisable to livecarry witha youdoctor’s innote Qatar.with you.

Dress code

BothQataris maledress conservatively in traditional dress and femalecan sponsorsbe mustoffended havewhen apeople validdress Qatariinappropriately residenceor permitnot andin earnaccordance atwith leastIslamic QARvalues. 10,000You pershould month.dress Femalesmodestly, canincluding onlywhile actdriving asand ain sponsorpublic ifplaces theyincluding workshopping inmalls, certainrestaurants professionsand orparks. areBe aaware singlethat mother. 

Ifif you meetenter theone criteria,of these areas dressed inappropriately you may be ableasked to sponsor:

• yourleave. wifeClothing orshould husband
• unmarriednot daughtersbe transparent, indecently expose parts of anythe age
• sonsbody agedor 24display offensive pictures or younger

Youslogans. mayWomen alsoand bemen ableshould tocover sponsortheir yourshoulders stepchildren.and Theknees. QatariAny immigrationform authoritiesof considernudity applicationsis tostrictly sponsorforbidden, stepchildrenincluding ontopless asunbathing case-by-casefor basis.women.

DocumentsRespect for sponsorship applicationsreligion

ForIslamic allreligious sponsorshipvalues applications,are yougreatly mustrespected provide:

• ain completedthe applicationQatar. formShowing –any youdisrespect cantowards getreligious thebeliefs formor frompractices youris employerconsidered ordeeply theoffensive Qatariand Ministryvery oflikely Interior
• yourto passport,result in whicha theheavy originalfine entryand/or permitimprisonment. hasOther beenreligions stamped,are respected and acan copy
• passportbe photographs
• anfollowed originalby medicalthe clearanceexpatriate certificatecommunity.

  Learn fora thefew sponsoredsimple person

facts:
• Muslims pray five times a copyday. ofYou yourwill employmentnotice contract
• athat salarythe certificatemosques fromcall yourpeople employer,to statingpray yourthrough monthlya salary
• bankspeaker statementssystem. forAt thethis pasttime 6you months

You’llwill also neednotice topublic provide:

• yourmusic marriageis certificateturned –off ifas sponsoringMuslims yourperform wifetheir ordaily husbandprayers
• thebe child’saware birththat certificatedrivers, –who ifare sponsoringnot close to a childmosque, may stop at a convenient lay-by to pray privately
• aduring ‘Nothe Objection’holy lettermonth of Ramadan, Muslims fast from thedawn child’sto biologicalsunset. fatherThroughout –this ifmonth sponsoringeating, yourdrinking, stepchildsmoking, playing loud music and dancing in public places during daylight hours is strictly forbidden and punishable by law, including for non-Muslims
• theevery deathevening certificateduring ofRamadan, theMuslims child’sbreak biologicaltheir fatherfast –with ifan sponsoringevening ameal stepchildcalled whoseIftar. biologicalYou fatherwill hasfind diedmany hotels and restaurants throughout Qatar who provide Iftar buffets

Access to media and the internet

SingleAccess mothersto sponsoringcertain theirmedia childrenoutlets mayand needinternet tosites provideis similarrestricted documentsif they are deemed to thosecause neededoffence to sponsorpublic adecency. stepchild.Films shown in cinemas may be censored to comply with local sensitivities.

Legalising

Visas and attestingresidency

For marriage,information birthon andentry deathrequirements, certificatesvisit our Travel Advice pages.

Work Residence Permit

TheExpatriate Qatariworkers authoritiesare requirerequired someto documentshave toa beresidence legalisedpermit andin attestedorder forto uselive inand sponsorshipwork applications.

Marriage,in birthQatar. andThe deathpermit certificatesis mustgranted beto legalisedexpatriates bywho thehold relevantemployment authoritycontracts in theQatar. countryIt whereis theyusually werethe issued.responsibility Readof aboutthe legalisingsponsor UKto documentshandle all paperwork involved in ourobtaining guidancethe onresidence documentspermit. forOnce Britishthe peopleprocess abroad.

Britishto marriage,get birtha andresidence deathpermit certificateshas mustbegun, alsoapplicants beshould attestednot byleave the Legalisationcountry Officeas of the Foreign,application Commonwealthwill &be Developmentrejected Office and the Qatarprocess Embassywill inhave London.to start again on re-entering Qatar.

Transfer of employment

DeathThe certificatesability fromto otherchange countriesyour mustemployer beand attestedwhen byyou thecan relevantdo authoritythis inwill all depend on the countrytype whereof theycontract wereyou issued.have, Theyfixed mayterm alsoor needindefinite, with your current employer.

For further information, please refer to bethe employment translatedand intoworkplace Arabic.section of the official portal of the Qatar Government.

‘NoRegister Objection’as letters working woman

IfWomen youwho sponsorare ain stepchild,Qatar theiron biologicalfamily fathersponsorship mustwill makeneed to obtain a ‘Noseparate Objection’work declarationpermit in frontorder ofto aundertake notaryemployment. public. The declarationemployer mustmay statebe thatable heto hasassist nowith objectionthis toprocess. Applicants may visit the childMinistry livingof inInterior’s QatarLabour underDepartment or the sponsorshipservice ofcentres theirto stepfather.complete the application process.

IfRequirement:

1. Copy you’reof Company Registration Card
2. Copy of passport with a singlevalid mother,residence you(Temporary mayresidency alsofor needindividuals bearing a ‘NoQatari Objection’document)
3. Copy declarationof fromacademic yourcertificates child’scertified biologicaland father.

   Iftranslated the+ biologicalLicense fatherto cannotpractice orfor willmedical notprofessions

4. Copy makeof thiscurrent declaration,sponsor’s theID QatariCard
5. Photo authoritiesID
6. Certificate willof askgood forconduct proofissued thatby the child’sState motherof hasQatar
7. Letter soleof parentalresignation responsibility.or Theystatement mayof alsoservices needtermination ain declarationcase signedof bya theprevious stepfather.job
8. Labour ThisContract declaration(3 mustoriginal statecounterparts)
9. Letter thatof approval from the stepfatherMinistry willof supportEducation the& childHigher throughoutEducation the(for family’sIndependent residencyschools, inprivate Qatar. 

   Passportsschools and travel

   Readkindergarten)

10. Letter ourof guidanceapproval onfrom moving,the livingFamily orAffairs retiringDepartment abroad.- ThisMinistry coversof howAdministrative to:
    • applyDevelopment, forLabour a& BritishSocial passportAffairs from(for abroadnurseries)
    • travelLetter urgentlyof withoutapproval yourfrom Britishthe passportSocial Development Centre (for beauty salons)

SponsorExit notification of travelvisa

IfIn you2019 sponsorthe familyrequirement membersfor ormost otherexpatriate individuals,workers in Qatar to hold a valid exit permit when leaving the Qataricountry authoritieswas willabolished. sendHowever, youcertain acompanies textare messageable eachto timenominate anyup to 5% of themtheir passesworkforce throughas Qatarstill immigration.

Dualrequiring citizensan travellingexit topermit. theYou UK

Whenshould travellingcheck with your sponsor if this applies to theyou. UK,The Britishsponsor citizensis mustresponsible carryfor aarranging validthe Britishexit passportpermit. orThis certificaterequirement ofdoes entitlement.not Readextend guidanceto onspouses dualand citizenship.

Healthcarechildren inunder Qatar

the sponsorship of family members.

ReadThe ourBritish guidanceEmbassy onDoha moving,cannot livingissue orexit retiringpermits abroad.for ThisBritish coverspassport howholders to:

• planunder yourany healthcare
• takecircumstances, medicinethis abroad

Qatarmust doesbe notdone havethrough athe reciprocalemployer healthand agreementthe withMinistry theof UK.Interior.

MakeBritish surenationals youwho believe they have appropriatebeen healthunfairly insurancedenied toan coverexit anypermit healthcareby costs.their Yousponsor may seek redress through the Ministry of Interior’s Expatriate Exit Grievance Committee. Further information can getbe insurancesought from Qatariany orGovernment internationalServices providers. Centre (see full list of centres).

You

Sponsoring mayfamily needmembers

Male tosponsor

A accessmale theexpatriate publiccan healthcaresponsor system,certain evenfamily ifmembers youprovided havethat privatetheir healthcaresalary cover.is Toover doQAR this,10,000. youThe mustprospective applysponsor formust ahave governmenttheir healthresidence cardpermit atprior yourto neareststarting healththe centre.

Forresidence morepermit information,application readfor thetheir Qatarifamily government’smembers. guidanceA onmale healthexpatriate insurancecan andsponsor primarythe healthfollowing care. family members:

• wife
• children
• stepchildren

Sponsoring your wife in Qatar

ToA findhusband outwho howwishes to getsponsor medicalhis treatment:wife will need the following documents:

• contactapplication yourform insurance(available providerfrom employer / MOI)
• readpassport guidancein onwhich healththe inoriginal Qatar entry permit has been stamped & a copy
• findphotographs
• original English-speaking medical facilitiesclearance andcertificate
• copy doctorsof forthe Britishhusband’s Nationalsemployment in Qatar contract
• visitsalary certificate from the Qataremployer Ministrystating the employee’s monthly salary
• 6 months’ of Publicbank Healthstatements
• marriage websitecertificate (legalised by relevant authority)

Working

If inthe Qatar

Readmarriage ourcertificate guidanceis onBritish, moving,the livingQatari orauthorities retiringrequire abroad.the Thismarriage coverscertificate workingto abroad,be includingattested. documentsThis youshould maybe needdone fromfirst by the Legalisation Office of the UKForeign, government.

ToCommonwealth work& inDevelopment Qatar,Office (FCDO) youand needthen aby workthe residenceQatari permit.Embassy Toin getLondon. aThe workcertificate residenceshould permit,then yoube musttaken haveto anthe employmentMinistry contract. 

Yourof employerForeign willAffairs actin asQatar.

Sponsoring your sponsorchildren andin isQatar

A responsiblefather forcan arrangingsponsor yourunmarried workdaughters residenceup permitto any age and Qatarsons IDup card.until Youthey shouldare not25 leaveyears Qatarold. whileThe thisfollowing processdocuments iswill inbe progress.required Ifin youorder do,to sponsor children:

• the Qatarisame authoritiesdocuments willas rejectlisted yourunder application.the You’llwife thencategory.
• the needchild’s tobirth reapplycertificate when(legalised youby returnthe torelevant Qatar.
  authority)

ForIf morethe information,birth readcertificate is British, the Qatari government’sauthorities guidancerequire onthe residencebirth andcertificate workto permitsbe inattested. Qatar. This includesshould howbe todone registerfirst asby athe Legalisation workingOffice womanof inthe Qatar. 

RecognitionForeign, ofCommonwealth qualifications

If& youDevelopment wantOffice (FCDO) toand workthen by the Qatari Embassy in Qatar,London. youThe willcertificate needshould then be taken to getthe yourMinistry foreignof qualificationsForeign legalised.Affairs in Qatar.

ForIf morea information,British seechild ourwas guidanceborn onin legalisationa ofcountry UKother documentsthan forthe useUK inand the Statebirth ofwas Qatar.registered    

Changingat yourthe employer

Whetherembassy andin whenthat youcountry canand changea yourBritish employerbirth inregistration Qatarcertificate dependswas onissued, the typecertificate ofneeds employmentto contractbe youattested. have.This    

Forshould morebe information:

• readdone informationfirst onby thethe Legalisation lawOffice aboutof transferthe ofForeign, sponsorshipCommonwealth (PDF,& 521Development KB)Office
• read (FCDO) and then by the Qatari government’sEmbassy guidancein onLondon. requirementsIf ofthere changingwas employerno forBritish expatriates

Employmentbirth mattersregistration andthe exitbirth permits

Readcertificate ourwill guidanceneed onto employmentbe matterslegalised andby exitthe permitscountry of origin.

Sponsoring your stepchildren in Qatar.

Applications Thisto explains:

• whensponsor employeesstepchildren mayare needconsidered anby exitthe permitimmigration toauthorities leaveon Qatar
• howa andcase-by-case wherebasis. You may wish to getapproach helpthe forimmigration employmentauthorities matters

Drivingbefore insubmitting Qatar

Readany ourapplication. guidanceThe onauthorities moving,may livingask for additional or retiringa abroad.variation Thison coversthe howfollowing to:documents:

• drivethe abroadsame legallydocuments listed under the wife category
• takea yourNo UKObjection vehicleletter abroadfrom the biological father
• getif drivingthe licencebiological lettersfather is deceased, the death certificate of the biological parent

ReadIf aboutthe roadbiological travelfather is in Qataragreement to the child’s move to the Qatar, he should make a declaration before a notary public in the safetyUK. andThis securitydeclaration sectionmust ofstate ourthat travelthe advicefather forhas no objection to his child living Qatar. under the sponsorship of the stepfather. This includesdeclaration informationshould onthen drivingbe inattested Qatar,by includingthe Legalisation drivingSection licenceof rules.the FCDO and then by the Qatar Embassy in London.

YouIf, for whatever reason, a declaration cannot renewbe orobtained replacefrom yourthe UK,biological Gibraltar,father, Jersey,the GuernseyQatari orauthorities Islewill ofrequire Manevidence drivingthat licencethe ifmother youhas livesole parental responsibility. The Qatari authorities may require a declaration signed by the stepfather undertaking to support the child throughout the family’s residency in Qatar.

Disabled drivers

YouThe maydeath certificate must be ableattested toat applythe forembassy aof the country where the death certificate was issued and then certified by the Qatari disabledMinistry parkingof permit.Foreign Affairs. It may be required to be translated into Arabic.

If youthe havedeath acertificate was issued in the UK Bluethe Badgeattestation process should be done by the Legalisation Office of the FCDO and andthen liveby the Qatari Embassy in Qatar,London. youThe mustcertificate returnshould itthen be taken to the originalMinistry UKof issuingForeign authority.Affairs in Qatar.

Tax

Female sponsor

ReadIn ourQatar, guidancea onwife moving,can livingonly orsponsor retiringher abroad.husband Thisand coverschildren tax,if includingshe payingholds UKa taxresidence permit for certain professions and Nationalher Insurance.

Theresalary is noover incomeQAR tax10,000. onThe salariessame ordocuments wageslisted paidabove inwill Qatar.

Thebe UKrequired. hasA asingle doublemother taxationmay agreementsponsor her child with Qatarthe sosame thatdocuments youneeded dounder notchildren. payThe taxQatar onauthorities themay sameask incomefor indocuments bothsimilar countries.

Contactto those listed under the Qatarstepchildren Generalcategory.

Passports Taxand Authoritytravel

You forcan anyapply questionsfor aboutor doublerenew taxationyour British relief.passport from Qatar.

ConsiderYour gettingpassport professionalshould advicebe onvalid payingfor taxa inminimum Qatar.period Toof do6 this,months findfrom anthe English-speakingdate lawyerof inentry Qatar.into Qatar.

PensionsHealthcare in Qatar

Claiming

Generally, youremergency UKtreatment pension

Readin ourgovernment guidancehospitals onis moving,free. livingAny orfollow retiringup abroad.treatment Thismay covers:

• howbe tocharged. claimIf youryou UKuse Statea Pension
• whereprivate hospital, make sure you have comprehensive medical insurance or the UKfunds governmentto payspay anfor annualit. increaseFor inaccess to the Stategovernment Pension

Claiminghealthcare asystem, Qatariwhich pension

Generally,you onlymay Qatarineed citizensto canuse claimeven awith stateprivate pensionhealthcare, inresidents Qatar.must Ifapply youfor havea workedgovernment inhealth Qatar,card. youCards maycan be entitledpurchased toor end-of-servicerenewed gratuityat from your employer.

Benefits

Claimingnearest UKhealth benefits

Readcentre. ourMore guidanceinformation can be found on moving,the livinghealth orsection retiringof abroadthe official portal of the Qatar Government. ThisFor coversinformation howon togovernment claimhealth UKservices, benefitssee abroad,the includingQatar Ministry Childof Benefit.Public Health website.

ClaimingGuidance Qatarion benefitsbringing medication into Qatar

OnlySome Qatariprescribed citizensand areover eligiblethe forcounter Qatarimedicines benefits.

Buyingmay andbe rentingcontrolled propertysubstances in Qatar

ReadQatar. ourIf guidanceyou onneed moving,to livingbring orin retiringcontrolled/prescription abroad.medication Thisinto coversQatar, buyingensure you carry your official signed and rentingstamped propertydoctor’s abroad.prescription or hospital note.

ContactFor anfurther English-speakinginformation lawyerplease incontact the Qatar ifMinistry you’reof consideringPublic buying property or land.Health.

VotingWorking in Qatar

UK elections

ReadFor ourinformation guidance on moving,employment livingin orQatar, retiringplease abroad.visit Thisthe coversemployment howand to:workplace section of the official portal of the Qatar Government.

• vote

  For inrecognition of UK electionseducational fromqualifications abroad

• registerand asdetails anof overseasthe voter

Qatarilegalisation elections

process for Qatar, please see the FCDO website. In the publications section you find detailed instructions on how to prepare your documents for use in Qatar.

YouBritish cannotnationals voteseeking inadvice Qatarion electionsemployment unlessissues youor holddisputes Qatariare citizenship.advised to consult our guidance.

Studying in Qatar

IfIndependent youschools planare state-funded schools with the autonomy to studyrecruit inteachers Qatar,and youstaff, mustand meetestablish alltheir visaown requirementsmethods beforeof youteaching. travel.Independent Findschools outare morefree aboutfor studyingQatari incitizens. Qatar.Admissions  for non-Qataris are subject to individual school policy.

ForPrivate moreschools information:

• readoperate guidanceeither onas travelcommercial grantsestablishments foror studentsnon-profit studyingcommunity abroadschools orthat onmay placementsbe (England)
• contactsponsored yourby highertheir educationembassies. providerSchool infees may vary significantly from school to school. Private schools are free to set their own curriculum. Many foreign schools base their curriculum on the UKstandards orof Qatar
• contacttheir home countries. However, all schools are required to meet the standards of the Qatar National School Accreditation system. For information about education and a list of schools in Qatar, visit the Ministry of Education and Higher Education website
.

ChildrenTax

ReadThere ouris guidanceno onincome moving,tax livingon salaries or retiringwages abroad.paid Thisin coversQatar.

The movingUK abroaddoes have a Double Taxation Agreement with children,Qatar. including:For further information, please refer to UK/Qatar Tax Treaties.

Read guidance on:

• gettingtax permissionif toyou takeleave yourthe childUK to live abroad
• claimingtax on your UK Childincome Benefitif you live abroad
• childtax maintenanceif paymentsyou ifget a parentpension livesand live abroad

Schools

paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and education

entitlement to other benefits and allowances

Benefits

The Qatar MinistryGovernment ofdoes Educationnot provide social welfare benefits to non-Qatari nationals.

Find out what UK benefits you might be able to get while abroad and Higherhow Educationto claim them by visiting Benefits if you’re abroad.

Pensions

Read State providesPension informationguidance aboutif theyou schoolhave systemlived in Qatar.Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

AllIf childrenyou agedget 6a ‘life tocertificate’ from 18the UK Pension Service, you must attendrespond schoolas orsoon homeas schoolpossible. inYour Qatar.payments may be suspended if you do not.

Finance

ForFinancial morecrimes, information,including readfraud, bouncing cheques (including post-dated and ‘security cheques’) and the Qatarinon-payment government’sof guidancebills on(including howhotel to:

• registerbills) yourcan childoften result in publicimprisonment school
• registerand/or youra childfine in privateQatar. school

Bank accounts and other assets may also be frozen. You may also be liable for cheques that have been signed by you on behalf of a company.

Childcare

TheWhen leaving Qatar Ministryyou ofshould Educationensure andthat Higherany Educationoutstanding overseesfinancial nurseriescommitments have been settled in Qatar.full. NurseriesYou areshould obtain a paidletter servicefrom availableyour forbank children/ uplender to 4confirm yearsthat old.all debts have been settled and/or your bank account closed. Should you leave any unpaid debts or fines, you may be prevented from leaving by the Immigration Authorities at the airport. If you leave Qatar with any unsettled cases, these may be referred to Interpol.

SomeResidents expatsof alsoQatar chooseare to:

• sponsorable to open a live-inlocal nanny
• employbank aaccount.

  For live-outother nannyinvestment throughopportunities anin agency

Births,Qatar, deaths,visit marriagesthe Department for Business and civilTrade partnershipswebsite.

Travel bans

Births

IfTravel yourbans childare islegal bornprohibitions the Qatari government imposes to prevent persons involved in Qatar,disputes registerfrom departing the birthcountry. withThey can be the Qatariresult authorities. of any sort of civil or criminal dispute or immigration violation. They are not normally lifted until the matter is settled, i.e., civil suit, criminal case or immigration violation.

YouA willtravel alsoban needcan toresult applyfrom forany anumber of causes. For example, courts in Qatar IDcan for(and thedo) babyimpose oncetravel youbans haveover registeredfinancial thedisputes. birth.Such Thedisputes processmight isinclude thedisputes samebetween asbusiness forpartners, sponsoringbetween borrowers and lenders, landlords and tenants. If a familyfinancial member.dispute Tois findthe outbasis howof tothe dotravel this,ban, readit may be possible to get the ‘Sponsoringban familylifted membersby depositing a sum of money equal to livethe amount in dispute with youthe incourt Qatar’or sectionif ofthe thisparties guide.mutually settle the matter and withdraw litigation proceedings.

IfThe youPublic doProsecutor’s notoffice wantmay toalso getimpose atravel residencebans permiton forindividuals thewhile baby,it youis willconducting needcriminal aninvestigations exitin permitorder to leaveprevent Qatar.them Youfrom canleaving getthe ancountry. exitThe permitMinistry fromof athe QatarInterior immigrationwill office.

Ifalso you’reimpose pregnanttravel andbans areon those who violate their visa status by overstaying, working without authorisation, etc. These bans will not married,usually be lifted until the Britishcase Embassyis concluded. Persons who are involved in Dohadisputes stronglyor recommendsinvestigations thatcan youcheck whether travel bans exist by checking with the METRASH application. Often travellers do not givelearn birththat inthey Qatar.are Readsubject ourto guidancea ontravel relationshipsban outsideuntil marriagethey inattempt to depart the safetycountry andor securityon sectionentry ofinto ourthe travelcountry.

Accommodation adviceand forbuying Qatarproperty

See buying a property abroad.

Driving in Qatar

ReadAll ourpersons guidancedriving onin moving,Qatar livingare orrequired retiringto abroad.carry Thisa coversvalid howdriving to:licence. The Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Department regulates the issuance of licences.

• register

  You thecan birthdrive in Qatar with thea valid UK authoritiesdriving licence for one week (7 days from arrival). If you wish to getdrive for longer than a UKweek birthyou certificate

• can apply for youra child’stemporary firstQatari Britishlicense passport

Deaths

Readwhich ouris guidancevalid for 3 months. Alternatively, you can drive on moving,a livingvalid orInternational retiringDriving abroad.Permit Thisfor covers:a maximum of 6 months.

• what

  If you hold a Qatari residence permit, you can apply for a Qatari driving license. The minimum age for learning to dodrive afterand someoneto dieshold abroad

• howa license is 18 years old. Certain professions are not allowed to registerapply for a driving license.

  For more information, visit the deathpublic withservices and transportation area of the official portal of the Qatar Government.

  The British embassy cannot issue or renew a UK authorities

driving licence. Read more information about renewing a licence or applying for a new licence.

Voting

IfYou someonemay diesbe able to vote in Qatar,some readUK guidanceelections. on:You can:

• whatcheck toif whenyou someoneare diesable into Qatarvote
• English-speakingregister funeralas directorsan inoverseas Qatarvoter

Marriages

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnershipspartnership

Births

ReadIf ouryour guidancechild onis moving,born livingin orQatar, retiringyou abroad.should Thisregister coversthe howbirth towith getthe marriedlocal orauthorities. get a civil partnership abroad. You can alsothen register with readthe ourUK guidanceauthorities, onbut familythis lawis innot Qatar.mandatory.

QatarIf hasyou strictare lawsunmarried onand sexualpregnant, activitywe andstrongly livingrecommend withagainst agiving partnerbirth outsidein marriage.Qatar. SameThere sexare marriageslegal andramifications civilwhen partnershipsregistering birth with the local authorities, who are notunlikely legallyto recognisedissue ina Qatar.birth  

Readcertificate. ourThis guidancewill oncause safetycomplications when applying for citizenship and securitypassport infor the travelchild. adviceIf foryou Qatar.are Thismarried includesand informationpregnant, on:

• relationshipsyou outsidemight marriage
• LGBT+still rights

Divorcefind andthat separation

Reada ourlocal guidancebirth oncertificate moving,will livingbe ordenied retiringif abroad.the Thischild coversis howborn toless getthan a9 divorcemonths orafter endthe awedding civildate partnership.as per marriage certificate.

ReadYou aboutdo spousalnot disputesneed andto divorceregister the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

Deaths

If someone dies in Qatar read our bereavement guidance for Qatar. Additionally, you can read the guidance on familywhat lawto indo Qatarif someone dies abroad.

Marriage and civil partnership

ConsiderFind takingout how legalyou advicecan fromget anmarried English-speakingor lawyerget ina Qatarcivil partnership abroad.

Documents

Sexual forrelationships Britishoutside peopleof marriage are illegal in Qatar

Qatar.

ReadCivil ourpartnerships guidanceare onnot documentsrecognised forin BritishQatar, peoplethe abroad.concept Thisof covers: 

• legalisinga andcivil certifyingpartnership UKdoes documents
• marriagenot exist and civilwill partnershipalso documents
• affirmationsbe andtreated affidavits
• witnessingas signatures

Lawyers,a translatorssexual andrelationship notariesoutside of marriage which is illegal.

Pets

ToYou findmust anobtain English-speakinga lawyer,permit translatorfor orimporting notarypets. inYou Qatar,can readfind guidancemore information on professionalthe servicesQatar ifgovernment you’re abroadportal.

PetsEmergencies

IfDial you999 wantfor the police, ambulance or fire brigade.

Dial 999 to bringreport youra petmissing withchild.

If you tohave been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Qatar, read the guidance on:

• applyingon forwhat anto importdo and permitwhere forto catsget andsupport in dogs
• takingcases yourof petrape dog,and catsexual assault. orFind further ferretguidance toon arape non-EUand countrysexual assault abroad

.

Returning

Find toa lawyer thein UK

Qatar.

ReadIf returningyou’re to the UKvictim permanently.of Thisa includescrime, informationhave onbeen bringingarrested, familyor membersare backaffected toby a crisis, contact the British Embassy Doha on +974 4496 2000.

Read the UK,guidance taxon international andparental accesschild toabduction if services.your child may be at risk of this.

Leaving Qatar

If you have been a resident of Qatar and are leaving for good, you mustwill need to cancel your residency status.

As part of this process, you’llyou will need to:

• close all bankyour accounts (bank and credit accountscards)
• pay off allany fines and debts
• getall a letter from your bank or lender to confirm that you have settled your debts and closed your accounts
• cancel KahramaKahrama, (waterOoredoo and electric provider), Ooredoo (phone provider) and mobile phone subscriptions
• check the government service app Metrash 2 for any outstanding traffic violations
• check that there is no outstanding travel ban against you. These can be imposed upon you for any sort of criminal, civil or immigration violation. They will normally only be lifted once the matter has been settled
• apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Ministry of InteriorInterior. -For oncefurther information, visit the Qatar government electronic portal. Once you leave Qatar, it’sit is very difficult to getobtain this document

IfFailure youto docomplete notthe dosteps this:

• youabove maycould bedelay delayedyour leavingdeparture Qatar
• theor Qatarimean authoritiesyou mayare markmarked you on the immigration system as an absconder or debtor
• anydebtor. unsettledThis casescould maycause beproblems referredin the future, even if you only transit through Qatar.

  Returning to Interpol

the UK

ThisRead couldthe causeguidance problemson returning whento travellingthe UK permanently which toincludes orinformation throughon Qatarbringing infamily future.members,  tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

WeThis provideinformation thisis informationprovided as a general guide only.and Foris definitivebased information,upon contactinformation provided to the Qatariembassy authorities.

Readby ourthe consularrelevant informationlocal disclaimer.