Fauna | ExpatWoman.com
 

Fauna

Fauna
25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2015 - 11:36
Here's an update on Sidra and its on the local news: http://dohanews.co/sidras-qatar-staff-told-to-expect-more-delays-before-hospital-opens/
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 21:49
Looks like it will be January for me then as well, since I have yet to send anything to Ottawa.... Does the criminal records check have to come from the RCMP or can I use an original from my provincial police force ? Would you mind if we pm'ed Hi abby86, check your email. At first I went to my local police station but when I explained to the supervisor the purpose of it, he gave me the proper form to fill up and it's an RCMP criminal records check form. Once filled up and digitally fingerprinted they will submit it to RCMP Ottawa office. Then RCMP will mail it to you notarized. Then the waiting game continues?
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 19:14
Wondering if you're still around Fauna?? Hi abby86, I'm still here in Canada, on going with my attestation of police criminal records.Too bad there's no way to follow up or speed up the process at Canada DFA(3 weeks waiting time). Then it has to go to Qatar embassy (2 weeks processing + a week to mail in). Looks like I might still celebrate ??? 2014 Canadian holidays.Hoping to be in Qatar by January 2015?? Looking forward to meet you all. edited by Fauna on 30/09/2014 <em>edited by Fauna on 30/09/2014</em>
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2014 - 19:42
Hi Ladies, Are there a lot of Car rental companies you can recommend that provides long term (monthly basis) on Compact SUV's or 4x4 type suitable on Qatar's dangerous roadways, that will fit on a budget of $1800 to $2000 monthly? How is driving on a small car works there? Not really looking for glamorous cars but something a litte bigger and safer for my family. I've read a lot of dangerous driving habits of motorists in Qatar and undisciplined semi-truck drivers. Thanks, <em>edited by Fauna on 19/09/2014</em>
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2014 - 02:56
thanks ;) Did u need birth certificates too? It will just be me and DH relocating, we don't have kids. I will have to get those now too if they need them, since we only have the wallet size ones . edited by abby86 on 19/09/2014 As per Sidra's HR: These are the documents required for Visa and Residency Permit Applications: 1Police Clearance Certificate · 2Qualification Certificates · 3Children’s Birth Certificate(s), if your children are relocating to Qatar. 4Marriage Certificate, if your spouse is relocating to Qatar. 5Passport size photographs of yourself and dependents relocating to Qatar. 6Passport copies of dependents relocating to Qatar. 7Names and contact details of three referees These must be Line Managers. The only document that needs to be attested is Police Clearance Certificate. I wonder what's Sidra's time frame in acquiring a Work Visa for their newly hired employees? :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2014 - 01:57
Hi abby86, As per Mobilization Handbook (Sidra): We need to bring the Original Attested documents with us. "d) Please scan/email us a copy of each attested document as soon as it is issued. You must bring all original attested documents with you to Qatar. " Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada will send it to Qatar Embassy ONLY if it is stated on your Cover Letter. Yes, it should clearly state that the money order, pre-paid return envelope is for embassy attestation. As per Canada DFA's instruction: "Before sending your documents •You must enclose a cover letter that: ◦outlines your specific needs; and ◦includes your mailing address. •If your documents have to be forwarded to an embassy in Ottawa, please note that information in the cover letter; otherwise they will be returned to you, not forwarded to the embassy...... How to send your documents •If your documents are to be forwarded to an embassy or high commission in Ottawa, you do not need to include a courier envelope. The authentication office will deliver the documents for you. If your documents are to be sent to a consulate outside of Ottawa, you can include a prepaid envelope for their delivery. Otherwise your documents will be sent by regular mail...." ALL THE BEST!!!
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 21:21
Hi, Thought I might as well share this information to our fellow Canadians who are interested in working Overseas(particularly in Qatar) and have successfully negotiated on the terms of their provisional offers. I suggest you start working on your Canadian Police Clearance Certificate Attestation, because this will take an 8 to 10 weeks of processing time or even more. Here are the steps: First, You need to apply at RCMP Criminal records check-fingerprinting. Processing fee depends on your local police service jurisdiction. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm The police officer says its a 3 business days processing, but if you have moved from another city within the last 5 years that will take 2 weeks or more. Second Step: You need to mail that RCMP Certificate to Dept of Foreign Affairs(DFA)-Authentication and Service of Documents section-Ottawa. This is Free of Charge. You must write a cover letter stating that it needs to be forwarded to Qatar Embassy. DFA will do it for you, and again this is free of charge. This is a 15 business days processing plus 5 days for mailing. they do not accept any exceptions or requests to make your papers on priority. http://www.international.gc.ca/department-ministere/authentication-authentification_documents.aspx?lang=eng Third Step: Once your RCMP certificate is authenticated by DFA then you need to submit it to Qatar Embassy in Ottawa. Embassy Attestation fee is $7.00-Money Order form only. Do not forget to include a pre-paid return envelope. This is another two weeks processing and it might depends on the availability of consular official. Qatar's Embassy is at: 150 Metcalfe St Ottawa, Ontario K2P1P1 email: [email protected] Best of luck to all. Merci!
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 August 2014 - 02:29
Congrats Abby86, Yes you are right, It would be nice to know beforehand what are the documents that Sidra's HR required from us(Canadians)about attestation, embassy paperworks, etc. I heard that all these paperworks are usually done by the recruiting agencies. Unfortunately I applied directly thru Sidra's website. However, there is a Canadian recruiting firm that represents Sidra, I hope they wont charge you for asking information. [email protected], fax 1-416-977-6128, phone no: 1-800-387-4616, their office is at 2403-180 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1Z8. My HR contact is still on vacation, so I have no clue as to what specific docs do I have to prepare aside from School records/diploma, marriage and kids birth certificates, etc., considering that I will be relocating with my family. Thanks also to Bambii, for giving us insights on Doha and Sidra. Very encouraging indeed! Keep in touch!
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2014 - 21:20
Thank you Bambii and all the ladies for these valuable information. Just wondering, if any Sidra employeess have enrolled their kids at Qatar Academy Sidra? They say that this is nice and dedicated school for kids of Sidra employees. I believe it is an American Curriculum. How far is this from Sidra Medical (SMRC)? or is this near or inside Al Rayyan Oasis Compound? Does Sidra covers our kids full tuition fee if in case we dont enroll them at this school? Thanks.
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 August 2014 - 00:57
Reference checks are at the very end of the process. Once they inform you they have applied for your visa (you may need to ask to be aware when) then that can take 2-8 weeks. Ours took 6....We relocated within 10 days of getting our visa as we had a school deadline to meet for the kids. Hi Bambii, good to know that you are already in Doha. So it is possible that we(my kids) can travel at the same time with their sponsor. Are you staying in a company provided housing, I heard that Al Rayyan Oasis is already full or did you opt for housing allowance? Is Sidra going to make its grand opening on March 2015? Sorry to ask a lot of question. Im just a few Canadian trying not to catch good ole winter 2014. :) <em>edited by Fauna on 26/08/2014</em>
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 August 2014 - 19:30
It says staff allocated housing, so not really sure what that means. Gosh, my interview was back in June! Didn't find out until mid July that I was accepted for the position and then finally just this week found out about the offer. Feels like a long process. Are there any Canadians going that have any insight about paying tax back in Canada? Hi ashdc, Good to know there's a number of Canadiens heading to Doha. As for the tax, as long as you dont have any property ties (house, car, health card, etc.) then your contribution(tax) to the Harper government will be less to possibly nil. Check out this link: http://www.expatica.com/fr/finance_business/tax/tax-basics-for-canadian-expats-25663_10481.html Also, you may want to read some topics about our govt revenue agency (CRA), deadlines, tax forms for emigrants, etc. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/lvng-eng.html#txblgtns Keep in touch. :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 August 2014 - 02:33
I've completed all my paperwork and am just waiting on a start date? Really excited about my new job and coming out to Doha and looking forward to making new friends.Will be staying in allocated housing but don't know where. I will be working as a midwife. Are there any other midwives heading out? Congrats Solway22, Looks like you are ready to take off . I'm still waiting for final contract sign in. Sorry I'm not a midwife, but will be under Facilities Dept. Just wondering if you have the list of what documents do we need to certify/attest/authenticate/ verify. I've sent an email to my HR contact a few days ago about it, but she just started her vacation and will be back next month. Appreciate any info you could share. Thanks!:) edited by Fauna on 22/08/2014 <em>edited by Fauna on 22/08/2014</em>
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 August 2014 - 21:18
Hi Fauna, I will be working for Sidra as well; will likely be relocating sometimes in October. If you do not mind me asking, did you only negotiate base salary or you were negotiating vacation and other allowances? My agent recommended to negotiate only base salary. However, I was at first told that I will have 40 days leave/year + national holidays, and once providional offer came they said it will be 30 days leave/year + national holidays. I was bit anoyed by this... Hi Klaraleva, Sorry I moved your message to Sidra Medical thread, so as not to confuse the readers. I have replied to your queries on that thread, hope it helps. Cheers! :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 August 2014 - 19:58
Hi Fauna, I will be working for Sidra as well; will likely be relocating sometimes in October. If you do not mind me asking, did you only negotiate base salary or you were negotiating vacation and other allowances? My agent recommended to negotiate only base salary. However, I was at first told that I will have 40 days leave/year + national holidays, and once providional offer came they said it will be 30 days leave/year + national holidays. I was bit anoyed by this... Hi Klaraleva, I did negotiated on my base salary then send them a copy of my latest two paychecks, they replied with a little bit more than the figures I asked for. Then asked for a housing allowance instead of company provided housing, and they agreed with it and gave me a furniture allowance as well. I asked about the coverage of their clause " Will provide educational assistance upto four children..." That, I did not get a response. I wonder if its full coverage, even if my kids will not enroll under Qatar Academy Sidra. I asked also about the vacation days, and they clarify that it is 30 business/working days for vacation. That does not count friday and saturday( holyday of obligation), Plus 10 national holidays. Not so sure about sick leave or bereavement leave. Just to travel from Canada to Qatar we already lose 2 days in the air. I hope I have answered your queries, had enough of negative -40 degrees Centrigrade here in North East Ontario and hope to be in Doha this winter. Cheers :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 August 2014 - 16:02
Hi happy_feet, Thank you for this valuable information and much appreciated. I will be working for Sidra, got the provisional offer, happy with the renegotiated terms and waiting for contract sign off. Cheers! :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 August 2014 - 23:48
Hi node, We moved here (me n DD) in June but my husband came in mid April. We had cargo allowance of 300kg and I had sent some around 9 boxes weighing around 250kg. We had been told the only restriction in cargo is explosives, liquid and perishable . Hi happy_feet, Sorry ladies if I go off the topic on this thread, just would like to seek some valuable tips on someone who has recently and successfully reunited with their family on a short period of time. Your DH came in April, then you and your DD followed in around June. Did you came on Special entry visa? or visitors visa then goes to renewal process? How long does it take your DH to process your RP(resdidency permit)? Do they still ask to show a 6 months bank statement from your sponsor(DH)to process the RP? Kind regards, :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 August 2014 - 02:34
Sorry not to hijack this post but just wondering what the salary usually is for a live-in maid? Does it depend on how many people in the household/amount of work or is it something that is fixed? That's quite an interesting topic, salary does not depend on the numbers of family but it depends on the nationality of the maid. Sorry if it seems to sound kinda bit racist, but this is like living in a twilight zone. :) There's an FAQs about that on this webpage. How to hire a maid . FYI here are the embassy designated salaries: Embassy Set Minimum Salaries: Indonesia: QR 700 Sri Lankan: QR 800 Filipina: QR 1,400 CHEERS!
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 August 2014 - 19:55
Hi Ladies, On the application for residency permit(RP) for my family, it requires 6 months bank statement. Does that mean I have to be away from them in 6 months cost effectively ? Or they can come as visitors visa for a month then exit/re-entry again to Bahrain or other nearby country? but my kids won't be allowed to go to school there because they don't have RP yet. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2014 - 02:34
Happyfamilies, I am not sure what position have you applied for, however, I was offered a very competitive salary from Sidra, ~$30,000/year more than I make in NYC, including all other benefits. I was not looking for a new job, but a recruiter found me on Linked In and contacted me first... After my Skype interview with Sidra people they seem to really want me so after the first offer (which was also good) I negotiated and got what I wanted... Currently, I am in the process of getting my visa now and should be ready to move sometimes in October. Klaraleva, That's good that it went well for you. Just wondering, when did you received your provisional offer? Is it before or during Ramadan? How soon did they reply to your negotiation, a week or a month? I'm planning to do the same. I doubt if it's that same chief who decides what pay grades goes to each profession. It appears that the recent latest provisional offers sent were below expectations?? :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 August 2014 - 13:50
Wow . . . that's crazy. I interviewed at the end of May and was told I was hired a few weeks later. However it took over a month to get an offer in writing and it was approximately $30,000 (US dollars) less per year than what had been mentioned during my interview.... I got an offer today. But it appears the company starts to offer a low ball. The basic salary is less than US$ 20k per year from my present job. Is this becoming a trend in there or am I being "Arab bargained style" that I need to negotiate? How will they be able to hire the best and the brightest from developed countries. What happens to competitive salary offer? About vacation days, will it be like Bahrain or Dubai that after the probationary period ( 6 months)you are entitled to avail for it? Or do you need to complete a year of attendance before you can file for a much awaited month long of R & R (rest and recreation)? Thanks.
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2014 - 02:25
Hi Sanap, Thanks for this info. I will try to call Brytor. I'm guessing this will be a 3 months shipment before it arrives Qatar? Cheers!
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 July 2014 - 22:30
Thank you mdbs! We do get an allowance but I would not call it a shipping allowance, more like a "bring some bags" allowance :) We were planning on only bringing essentials but with everything in, including baby toys it seems we will need a container. We were told the container will be half empty so are now stocking up on more baby toys etc.. she will have stuff she will need until she goes to university!! Trying to get things we may not find there or might be very expensive. I understand new items have 5% duty applied so will use them before we leave :) We are getting company provided accommodation, furnished or not is a mystery. We were told it depend on availability and if unfurnished, will be given a depreciating allowance to furnish it. We're not bringing any furniture but other smaller stuff which will make it a home. It's a journey... that is what I keep telling myself! Will probably not end up leaving until November based on where things stand today, will be more than a year since my OH's interview.. imagine! Thank you again for the advice, keep in touch and hopefully we will meet some day. Do let me know if there is anything "Canadian" I can get you from here... got loads of space in the container :) Hi Sanap, my family will be moving to Doha as well from Northeast Ontario. We are planning to put in all our stuffs in a container for relocation, who is your mover? And price range? Thanks
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 July 2014 - 03:41
http://dohanews.co/new-finnish-school-open-sec-expands-private-education-sector/ This is a good news indeed! Finland always got the highest position when it comes to ranking International education System. They've been doing it since 2006 and up until now. http://www.businessinsider.com/finlands-education-system-best-in-world-2012-11?op=1
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 July 2014 - 23:39
I am looking for a little advice please, if possible... Our removal people managed to break our tv during the air freight. Since then we have been told that it wouldn't have worked anyway here as it's not compatible. It's from Australia and the research I did suggested that it should work in qatar but now I don't know if it's worth shipping any other tvs over. Does anyone have any experience of using overseas (particularly from Australia) ? Hi, Australian TV set will work well in Qatar because they have the same standard which is PAL: Whereas TV's from US, Canada will need some sort of converter because they have NTSC Standard. How much does the shipping cost from Australia to Qatar, is it covered by your relocation package? I would just buy one right there in Qatar, they might have the latest and the greatest technology that arabs can sell/buy. Just my two cents. :)
Fauna
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 July 2014 - 19:58
Hi Ladies, Any updates on your applications/processing at Sidra? I have applied last January 2014. Done thru all the Skype Interviews since May 2014. Last email from HR was that I got the position so they send me 4 forms to fill up and so I filled it up sent them back via email. According to HR, the director went into annual leave. Im guessing all processing will return to normal mode after the Ramadan holidays? BTW, I applied for the facilities and maintenance. Thanks. :) <em>edited by Fauna on 17/07/2014</em>
 
 
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