Living in Qatar: 7 Top Tips To Make Your Move Easier

A great deal has been written and published widely about moving to live in Dubai, but much less is known about what it’s like moving to Qatar to live as an expat. 

In this guide, we will share 7 top tips from expats who are already settled in Qatar and have been through everything they’re enduring right now.

In this guide:

• Qatar’s highlights
• Qatar residency
• Sponsoring your family
• Schools and education
• Health insurance
• Driving in Qatar
• The cost of living
• An exit permit

Qatar’s highlights

The sovereign Arab state is following hot on Dubai’s heels in some senses. For example, the number of new expats arriving daily in Doha is sharply increasing.

Qatar is becoming known as a destination where expats can earn a very decent salary and have a high standard of living.

Qatar is generally considered a safe country for expats. The crime rate is relatively low, and the government of Qatar takes various measures to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors.

The country has a well-developed infrastructure, effective law enforcement, and a stable political environment. It is also a very conservative country, so learning and following the local laws and customs is crucial.

1. The Qatar residency process

Provided you are eligible for residency in Qatar (you have a job offer or sponsorship from a Qatari employer or are a dependent of a resident) to apply for residency in Qatar, follow these steps:

1. Obtain the necessary documents: your passport, employment contract, educational certificates, and any other supporting documents requested by the Qatari authorities.
2. Submit your application: visit the Ministry of Interior’s website or the Qatar Visa Center to complete the online application form.
3. Medical examination: undergo the mandatory medical examination at an approved medical facility in Qatar. This typically includes a general health check-up and a tuberculosis screening.
4. Biometric data collection: once your application is submitted, you may be required to schedule an appointment for biometric data collection, which involves fingerprinting and a facial photograph.
5. Pay the applicable fees: depending on your type of residency, you will need to pay the required fees. The fee amount may vary based on the length of your residency period.
6. Wait for approval: After submitting your application and completing the necessary procedures, wait for the authorities to review it.
7. Collect your residency permit: if your application is approved, you will be notified to collect your residency permit from the specified location.

Expect to have to produce every single piece of paperwork you can think of, from marriage and birth certificates to bank statements and rental contracts.

Get the agreement in writing in advance from your sponsoring company that they will walk you through the process and assist your family in the same way if/when they join you in Qatar.

Finally, if you do find you’re on your own and moving to Qatar alone, ask other expats you meet to help you. 

Everyone who wants to remain beyond a visit visa has to go through it, so they will be able to tell you where to start.  After that, each step is logical, and you’ll find you get through it.

2. Sponsoring your family to join you in Qatar

If you’ve been offered a well-paying job in Qatar, giving your career a much-needed boost and offering you the chance to get ahead, chances are there’s a part of you that wants to jump at the opportunity. 

However, before you do, you need to know that if you have a partner and/or children, they might not be able to accompany you on your assignment.

The official rules on family sponsorship

The official rules state that after obtaining a Residency Permit (RP) in Qatar, you have the option to apply for your family members to join you under your sponsorship.

This includes your spouse, underage children, male children (up to 25 years if they are in full-time education), and unmarried daughters.

The conditions for sponsorship include having suitable accommodation and a salary sufficient to support your family during their stay in Qatar and meeting the minimum wages set by the Permanent Immigration Committee at the Ministry of Labor.

The current rule states that if a sponsor wants to bring their spouse and children to Qatar, their salary must be at least QAR 10,000 per month. For sponsoring parents and siblings, the minimum salary requirement goes up to QAR 20,000 per month for each person.

What can prevent you from being able to sponsor your family

If you’re unmarried, you won’t be able to live with your partner, and your children won’t be able to accompany you if you’re not married to your partner either.

If you are a woman working in Qatar with an employment contract, you need to ask the interior minister for approval to bring your spouse. The minister has the authority to grant permission if he deems it appropriate.

If you’re going to be earning less than 10,000 Qatari riyal (which is around £2,750) a month, you’re not allowed to sponsor your spouse to join you either.

Finally, on this point, because of the hard work and complexity associated with sorting out multiple visas for an entire family, some companies won’t offer family visas until their employee has been with them for 3, 6, or even 12 months.

In summary, before accepting a job offer to Qatar, ensure you can sponsor your family or ensure that you and they can endure a period of enforced separation.  For some, this is an unpalatable reality.

3. Schools and education

If you want to make money, go and open a really good international school in Qatar – you will be full before you’ve even laid the foundations! 

Places in international schools are in short supply; some schools have long waiting lists. Also, fees are quite high.

Some families planning on moving to Qatar fly children in and out for mandatory assessments well in advance of their relocation to ensure their child has a school place for when they move to Qatar.

Having a plan B is critical – from homeschooling to sending your child to boarding school in another nation or even leaving them (and your spouse) back home to remain at their current school.

Qatar is aware of this issue – expect to see more international schools opening their doors in years to come.  But in the interim, the problem is a serious one, and it is reportedly affecting many expats’ choices about whether they should move to Qatar or not.

Here’s a list of the top international schools in Qatar:

International School	Location	Description	Approximate Fees
Doha British School	Doha	A comprehensive British curriculum school	$15,000 – $22,000
ACS Doha International School	Doha	Offering the American curriculum	$14,000 – $20,000
Qatar Academy	Doha	A reputable IB World School	$18,000 – $25,000
Al Khor International School	Al Khor	Providing a global education	$12,000 – $17,000
Compass International School	Madinat Khalifa	Focusing on holistic development	$10,000 – $15,000
Qatar International School	Dafna	Combining British and International curricula	$16,000 – $23,000
Park House English School Doha	Al Duhail	Delivering a high-quality English education	$14,000 – $19,000
SEK International School Qatar	West Bay	Offering the International Baccalaureate (IB)	$17,000 – $24,000
Newton International School Qatar	Al Waab	Emphasizing inquiry-based learning	$15,000 – $21,000
The English Modern School	Abu Hamour	A well-established British curriculum school	$13,000 – $18,000

4. Compulsory health insurance

The new compulsory health insurance scheme was introduced in 2022 and applies to all expatriates and visitors to Qatar.

Here’s the gist of it :

• Non-Qatari nationals and visitors in Qatar must have private health insurance during their stay.
• Employers must enroll their non-Qatari employees and their family members in the mandatory health insurance scheme.
• Sponsors of expatriates in Qatar must also provide basic health insurance coverage.
• Employers need to show proof of insurance when issuing or renewing residence permits.
• The employer or recruiter may provide additional healthcare services above the basic plan subject to the contract.

As you see, your employer must provide a basic insurance plan for you and your family. You can either negotiate better coverage with your employer or buy an additional plan.

If you are opting for international health insurance, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. 

5. Driving in Qatar

Whilst you can rent a car for a week if you’re in Qatar for longer, you’ll need an international driver’s license – and then, if you’re applying for residency, you will have to get your Qatari driving license.

This, of course, results in more paperwork and bureaucracy – but that’s truly the least of your worries. 

Wait until you start driving.

For a newcomer, driving in Qatar can be scary and intimidating. Be very careful when you start, and you will soon adapt. Getting to know what to expect is key.

You cannot change the system or the drivers, so don’t stress and accept the reality. There is no way around this issue. 

Remember, there is zero drink-drive tolerance in Qatar.  It’s also illegal to use obscene language or hand gestures.

6. The cost of living

Almost everything in Qatar costs more than you think it will – with perhaps the exception of petrol. 

As most food is imported, a lot of it is expensive, alcohol (where it is available) is expensive, rent is expensive, and school fees and insurance are expensive.

The cost of living can eat up even the most attractive expat salary.

If you possibly can, before committing to moving to Qatar, visit for a week or so before accepting any job offer – then you will get as good an idea of what things cost before negotiating your expat salary package.

Rental costs in Qatar

Here are the average rental prices for various accommodations across the country:

City	1-bed Apartment (USD)	3-bed Apartment (USD)	Villa (USD)
Doha	$1,500	$2,800	$6,000
Al Rayyan	$1,200	$2,000	$4,500
Al Wakrah	$1,000	$1,800	$4,000
Al Khor	$900	$1,600	$3,500
Umm Salal	$1,100	$1,900	$4,300

Average monthly expenses

Here’s an estimated breakdown of monthly expenses in Qatar for a couple:

• Groceries: On average, a couple can spend around $400 to $600 on groceries per month in Qatar, depending on their preferences and food choices.
• Utilities: The cost of utilities, including electricity, water, and cooling/heating, can range from $100 to $200 per month, depending on the size of the apartment and usage.
• Internet: High-speed internet plans in Qatar can cost between $40 to $70 per month, depending on the provider and the speed chosen.
• Dining out: A moderate estimate for a couple’s dining expenses can be around $400 to $600 per month.
• Transportation: It can range from $150 to $400 per month, including fuel, public transportation, or taxi services.

Negotiating allowances with your employer

Some employers factor in things like school fees, a rent allowance, a single flight home once a year, and so on…but some don’t. 

So, don’t sell yourself short – make sure you negotiate a very good salary in order to enjoy a decent standard of living and have some leftovers to save.

7. An exit permit

One of the biggest shocks for some expats is that not all of them can leave Qatar when they want to.  Some might still need the permission of their sponsor – which is invariably the company they are working for.

In 2019, the requirement for most expatriate workers in Qatar to have an exit permit when leaving the country was removed. However, some companies can still nominate up to 5% of their employees who need an exit permit. You should ask your sponsor if this applies to you.

Discuss the policy your employer has in place regarding this issue.  For some, they are granted a multi-exit visa. For others, they have access to an emergency contact should they need an exit visa at short notice.

Final thoughts on living in Qatar

To conclude, Qatar can be a fantastic place to live, work, and bring up children: it certainly offers many expats significant career breaks and salary prospects.  However, it is a destination that presents many challenges.

If you’re the sort of person willing to roll with it and adapt and explore, Qatar could be a great posting.

Consider an exploratory visit ahead of a commitment to relocate.

You might find useful:

• Living In Dubai As An Expat
• 10 Best Countries To Work and Make More Money
• Living In Doha Vs. Dubai

Helpful external links:

• Qatar government e-services site for residents.
• Health card in Qatar.
• Qatar travel information for US nationals.
• Qatar travel advice for UK nationals.