It might be a small country, but Qatar’s influence far outweighs its size. The country’s gas wealth has enabled it to own vast chunks of London, including major landmarks like the Shard and Harrods, and it recently gifted President Trump a palatial 747 jet (worth around $400milion).
Since hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country has also enjoyed a wave of tourism; last year, visitors hit five million for the first time. Like its neighbours Dubai and Saudi, Qatar is diversifying for a carbon-free future and investing heavily in financial services, hospitality and real estate as part of its Vision 2030 programme. It now hosts sports events such as the Grand Prix, AFC Asian Cup, MotoGP and Qatar WTP Open.
Yet it has no wishes to be the ‘new Dubai’. ‘We are something of a middle point between the modernity of Dubai and the traditional Saudi Arabia,’ says Farhan Al Sheikh Al Sayed, an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
‘The country doesn’t want to go too fast; it wants to grow in a manageable way,’ agrees Steve Mackie, who left the UK 16 years ago and is the founder of businessstartupqatar.com. ‘Dubai has become over-saturated. Qatar is a small, manageable place with good security and quality of life. You can be anywhere in Doha – where 90 per cent of businesses are and many people live – within 20-30 minutes.’
The small state is keen to attract talent and entrepreneurs through its ‘Mustaqel Visa’ residency programme, which launched last year, and is developing new routes to encourage investors and start-ups. According to Al Sayed, the 20,000 British expats in Qatar are the biggest group of Europeans in the country, and they tend to be ‘skilled workers and investors’ who stay longer than those moving to its flashier neighbour, Dubai.
So, what are the other things to consider? Here’s our essential guide to moving to Qatar.
Residency through business
Foreign nationals can obtain residency through various routes including employment, investment and buying property. As mentioned above, the ‘Mustaqel Visa’ allows individuals and their families to move over for five years, with the opportunity to then renew. To qualify for the Entrepreneur option, you need an approved business plan and an investment of at least QAR 250,000 (£52,000) to establish your business in Qatar.
To obtain a ‘Talent’ visa, you must prove your expertise in one of 13 designated fields, which include arts, sports, education, scientific research, and innovation, and show evidence of funds or a job offer.
It might be a small country, but Qatar ’s influence far outweighs its size. The country’s gas wealth has enabled it to own vast chunks of London, including the Shard and Harrods
Since 2013, the country has been governed by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
The employment route also includes the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), who provide work visas or the opportunity for foreigners to establish businesses and obtain residence permits.
There are also Qatar Free Zones (QZA) operating across emerging technologies, logistics, industry and maritime sectors, where companies can enjoy 100% foreign ownership.
Businesses looking to operate offshore can avoid taxes on profits and capital gains generated within the zone – along with a 20-year tax holiday (no corporate tax, customs duties, or personal income tax).
People leaving the UK tend to be teachers and university staff on education contracts, though airlines are amongst those recruiting, says John Hood, the owner of John Mason International, a specialist international removals firm. UK moves to Qatar are up 146% since 2018 for the company, and after Dubai it is the second most popular relocation destination in the Middle East. The average house-move to Doha costs £6,300.
Golden visas
Foreign nationals can obtain residency through various routes including employment, investment and buying property
Since hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country has also enjoyed a wave of tourism; last year, visitors hit five million for the first time
Foreigners can also obtain temporary or permanent residency – so-called ‘golden visas’ – by investing in real estate in designated areas. A minimum investment of QAR 728,000 (£150,000) is needed for a five-year, temporary residence permit to live and work in Qatar. Investments exceeding QAR 3,650,000 (£754,000) can lead to permanent residency.
Whilst a proficiency in Arabic is required, permanent residency also provides access to free public healthcare and education, and the opportunity to invest in commercial activities. Foreign nationals who have lived in Qatar for at least 20 years can be eligible for permanent residency of they meet criteria such as sufficient ability in Arabic and financial resources.
Politics and culture
The work/school week runs from Sunday through to Thursday which can be a hard adjustment
The State of Qatar is a sovereign and independent state in the Middle East, having been a UK protectorate from 1916 to 1971. It is an Islamic State whose laws and customs follow the Islamic tradition and Islamic Law (Sharia). Since 2013, the country has been governed by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The work/school week runs from Sunday through to Thursday which can be a hard adjustment. Alcohol is not banned in Qatar, but is restricted to licensed locations and is heavily taxed, and it is illegal to drink alcohol in public or be drunk in public. During Ramadan, the rules are even stricter. Western females tend to dress conservatively although do not wear abayas and hijabs. English is spoken widely in Doha, especially in business.
Tax perks
As mentioned above, Qatar does not collect tax on personal income, gifts, or inheritance. There’s also no value-added tax (VAT), though it is likely to be introduced soon – the anticipated VAT rate is 5 per cent, like other countries within the GCC region. Income tax is not imposed on employed individuals’ salaries, wages, and allowances.
Self-employed workers who qualify for Qatari corporate tax pay a rate of 10 per cent. If they are part of the MOCI initiative this is 10 per cent of the net profit they make.
Qatar also has 84 double-taxation agreements in place with countries including the UK, preventing expats from having to pay tax twice on the same income.
Cost of living
Numbeo estimates a single person can live on £669 per month after rent (compared to £822 in the UK), or a family of four for £2,388 (compared to £2,805 in the UK). Transport and taxis (Uber rides cost £2-£3, a day pass on the Doha Metro £1.50 a day) plus petrol and utility bills are all cheaper than the UK, yet groceries, gyms and beach clubs can be high outside the many ‘deals’ and happy hours.
Qatar’s high standard of living, safety, modern infrastructure, and public services – especially healthcare – make it very appealing for families and long-term residents. Additionally, while it is not necessarily a low-cost place to live, the average net salary spot tax (according to numbeo.com) is £2,807 – more than the UK’s £2,386 – despite the cost of living being an estimated 25 per cent lower than that of the UK.
Housing
Despite rental rates sitting at around 12 per cent higher than the UK, accommodation (along with a car and healthcare) is included within relocation packages for most expats, including teachers, leaving the majority of one’s salary as disposable income.
A two-bedroom waterfront apartment in Lusail City is QAR8000 (£1,654) per month. The average villa in Qatar costs QAR15,875 (£3,279) per month to rent, according to Knight Frank.
Man-made island The Pearl is a residential area inspired by Venice, located near Lusail City
Most prefer to rent, but as buying a property has become increasingly easier, more are doing so, according to Adam Stewart, Head of Knight Frank Qatar.
‘Since the World Cup and the new residency schemes more expats are buying. It’s an alternative to Dubai, with the same lifestyle and tax benefits.’
Expats can only buy freehold properties in 10 zones of Qatar and get 99-year leases in 16 others.
The three most popular areas to live are West Bay Lagoon, the high-rise business hub; The Pearl Qatar, a luxury waterfront development, and Lusail City, a futuristic smart city.
A three-bedroom apartment on The Pearl is QAR15,721 (£3,247) per month to rent, or £578,825 to buy. A one-bedroom flat costs from QAR1.2m (£248,000).
There are no property taxes to pay in Qatar, just a registration fee – allow 2.5 per cent of sales price for buying costs; and mortgages are available for expats, up to 70 per cent LTV.
Education
Qatar has piled vast sums of money into its education system and the most obvious example is Education City, a 12km campus of educational facilities – including eight university campuses – and a research hub on the outskirts of Doha.
There are also private schools outside of this: there are 96 international schools, according to the International Schools Database, with 47 following the British curriculum.
There are well-known franchises such as Nord Anglia or offshoots of British and American schools, as well as French, Indian, German and Lebanese institutions. Most private schools tend to follow the American, British or IB curriculum.
Qatar has piled vast sums of money into its education system and the most obvious example is Education City, a 12km campus of educational facilities – including eight university campuses
The most popular schools have waiting lists. According to the Good Schools Guide, the top four British curriculum ones are Doha College, Doha English Speaking School, Park House English School and Qatar Academy. Starting fees amongst these span from £5,200 to £8,500 per year.
Healthcare
Qatar offers one of the top 20 best healthcare systems in the world – it was part of its Vision 2030. Most of the healthcare facilities are focused in the municipality of Al Rayyan and Doha.
Qatari citizens and foreigners with permanent residency are covered by a national health insurance scheme, but expats must have private health insurance via their employers. Private health insurance is mandatory for non-Qatari workers in the public and private sectors. Pay-as-you-go costs are lower than the UK. Basic health insurance is required for obtaining any form of permit, visa or renewing one.
Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Hampshire, Carolyn Sidgwick moved to Qatar in 2018. Her career in hospitality – working at The Lanesborough, The Wolseley and for Gordon Ramsay, amongst others – equipped her well to run a business and establish new networks in Doha.
Carolyn Sidgwick (right) moved to Qatar in 2018, pictured with her daughter Jasmin
‘My sister already lived there so I knew it well and when I arrived to help grow her Roots Hair & Beauty salon in Doha I used it to build a community of expat women,’ says Carolyn, 57, who has been married twice and has a 26-year-old daughter, Jasmin. Her sister sponsored her visa.
‘I thought I’d stay for two or three years but love it here – in the “Doha bubble”. It’s less materialistic than Dubai, more conservative and I’ve made many friends. Free time is spent brunching at hotels, BBQs at the beach, yoga, kite surfing.’
She now works for Fit20 as personal fitness trainer and runs ‘What’s on Doha’ WhatsApp group to connect and inform about events. She rents a five-bedroom villa on West Bay Lagoon with friends. ‘I think one day I will return to the UK but the social life here is the best I’ve ever had.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .