P18PPS

We finally land in Doha on Sunday morning, with me starting work on Monday morning to get the visa process under ASAP.

Outside of this and given it is Ramadan, what will be the best order of sorting out the things you need. I would have thought that phone, driving license are the two first ones, especially as we won't be able to get the booze license yet!

Any thought would be appreciated just so we don't run around like headless chickens trying to do things we can't.

spartans53

Loose cotton underwear and deorderant would be top of the list.

P18PPS

Sorted, then what?

jackthehat

Forget Doha during Ramadan! People will 'Promise to Deliver' but will always 'Fail to Deliver!' - Work on that basis, and you will not go far wrong! Also remember that you need an Exit Visa to leave!

Jacksie

The phone should be done almost on arrival as when I got mine they needed to see that I had a 2 month visa. Remember that most offices are shut in the afternoons. Good luck and enjoy your stay in Doha. You should also open a local bank account ASAP, most payments are all done on cards here.

britexpat76

1, Unlock Phone at home - Saves you having to find somewhere here
2, Buy Sim Card at Airport QR50 with credit
3, Find taxi (Or your driver), Make sure they use the meter and know where home is - Before you get in.
4, Arrive Home
5, Get some shopping.

Other than that there is too many variables to give you good advice. What car are they giving you, pool or rental car etc. It makes a difference to what Licence you will need to start with.

Other than that there is nothing you can do until you get your ID card

co durham boy

Patience of a saint and skin like a white rhino....

Johnnyboy11

Fill in Form P85 and post to HMRC

britexpat76

If you live in New Zealand?

AirBender

It took my work folks almost a week to book my medical. Going for it tomorrow.

So far have sorted the phone/blackberry, all new joiner forms and stuff at work. Also, just today signed the lease for a villa - my colleague offered to pay through his cheque (gave 2 post dated cheques as well) and I will pay him back when my salary is credited. Things are so weird in this place, but this is normal I am told.........

Jacksie

You are lucky we had to put down a year in advanced cheques. Glad that things are working out for you, good luck in your new home.

co durham boy

This is the Middle East mate , everything is fu**ed up

Paracletus

Had a saudi friend get his companies pay from a client paid into his account to hold..it was a rather substantial sum as well. **** it, I would have gone with it and disappeared.

AirBender

Utter ridiculous but hey this is how it works .....slowly getting to grips with it.......

Debowing

Just arrived in Doha --- take it easy it is ramadan. Go to the malls, walk the corniche have a few beers at the hotels, get to know some other expats if possible and observe observe observe till you are confident. In the end you will settle i but it is quite frustrating till you get your visa sorted out. After that you will have a visa ID Card and you can do many nice things, like open a bank account, get a Qatari Driving Licence etc...In ramadan things move at half pace.