toil

Hi,

I have 100 questions on Doha but one is really worrying. Myself and my girlfriend (yes we are not married) are both professionals and are keen to move to Doha from Ireland, for both the experience and of course the chance to make a bit of money.

Everything I have read paints a great picture of the place except for the issue of cohabiting.
I cant get a conclusive answer on this from other sites. Some are implying that though its illiegal, its commonplace and a non issue. Others are saying its illegal and shouldnt be flouted as consequences could be grave.

Now I dont want to break the law but some sites are giving me the impression that its not a law that is ever applied.

I would really appreciate a realistic response on this as I'm struggling with what to do.

Cheers in advance

Millhouse

I got married for this exact reason. 3 years almost to the day.

just divorce her when you get back

toil

EmiratesMillhouse,

Would you say it was/is necessary to marry her or would you be fine cohabiting?

Millhouse

well, it's the law. Up to you if you want to break it in a foreign country - loads of people do though - although this is in Dubai & AD (which are more relaxed) - no idea about Doha.

Keoic

I recruit & relocate staff to Qatar.

Cohabitation - morality or legality is not really the point.

Each expatriate must be sponsored to remain in the country after the short term visitor visa expires. This means you need to be sponsored either by an employer or a spouse ( that is married ) .

So your girlfried cannot stay in Qatar without being sponsored by her employer ( that means find a job ) or by her husband.

Lots of couples live here together & provided they are not members of the prominent religion they are not interfered with.

Companies find it very difficult to get work visas for single female expat workers & so jobs are hard to find unless your girlfriend is a well qualified professional.

That's why people get married before comning here.

No real way around this.

Mogs

Or you could ask/get your new employer to provide her with the paperwork, etc for a made-up job like "Admin Manager" or something to make it look like she was an employee (obviously wouldn't need to pay her a salary) - my company which shall remain nameless has done this for a few unmarried couples hired from the UK.

Keoic

Under new requirements for "salary matching" all companies are required to submit their monthly payroll data - which is matched by the Labour Dept to the visas issued.
This will pick up any discrepancies of this kind.
It also picks up workers who haven't been paid which is excellent & the point of the exercise - but also there are others who will be caught up in the process.

Mogs

good point.....forgot about that new rule....