Residence Permit - how long | ExpatWoman.com
 

Residence Permit - how long

52
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 08:31

We've been told that Qatari RPs are taking 10-12 weeks to be issued. This could really cause a problem for a villa lease, getting furniture shipped, connecting power, water, phone etc etc. Has anyone got an RP recently? How long did it take? (10-12 weeks makes Dubai look speedy in comparison.)
<em>edited by CSM on 10/03/2011</em>

52
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 02:00
Thanks so much ladies. Thanks ccdoha for the explanation.
676
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 20:52
Not to scare the OP but DH still doesn't have his RP after 11 months... He didn't have a problem getting apartment/electricity/rental car, the only slightly tricky part was getting his shipment released once it arrived, however there is always a way... Fingers crossed for next week...
697
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 12:57
I agree, each company is different!!! We came in Sept and DH had to do the appointment system on the computer at work and pay with his own CC because the company said they didn't have one available that day and it would take more time to get one thus slow the process. I was not concerned about getting an RP for various reasons until after Nov and DH's company did nothing to push it along. When I finally asked them to get it for me, DH had to stay on them EACH day. He has had other colleagues that have taken longer because they work off site and can't chase it up each day. My interpretation of what happens AFTER you go to the medical, get the blood type, get the finger prints, sign the paper and attach a picture is that a couple days later - someone from the company needs to PHYSICALLY go get the RP and they can get it back the next day -as was my case and the latest colleagues case. :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 11:56
oh that is good news! we were also told 8-12 weeks. very pleased to hear that others have gotten it done so much quicker :) i really want to be there and moved in and organised before the h e l l ish trifector that is june/july/august
514
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 11:46
Yes, it is only the person on the company sponsorship that goes through the appointment system and it is a very new (last 2 months) system. Problem is that the spouse cannot get their RP until the person on the company sponsorship gets theirs. In fact you can't even go for the medical until your spouse has their RP as you have to be on an RP visa to go for the medical. There are some companies who get things done a lot faster but I won't go into how they manage that...just use your imagination! ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 10:38
Just to clarify, as I understand it, with the new system only the person on the company sponsorship (DH) needs the appt in the system. Our experience for DH was less than 4 weeks and I think it was only that long because we came at peak season (september). The new system does not require the spouse (me) to have an appt. The spouse just goes to the medical place, once the medical place puts you in the system the company can enter your blood type and then as soon as you get your finger prints, you company should be able to submit your paperwork and pic and RP should only take a day or two. My whole process was very quick - just a couple of days waiting for each step to show in the system and then once I signed the form and the company submitted the paperwork I got the RP back the next day. My husband helped a colleagues and his wife last month and they were the same, once she did the fingerprints it was just a couple of days before the RP is in hand.
487
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 10:33
My husband got his within 10 days, it might have been even less than that. His company are really fantastic though and have their own special internal mini-immigration department.
514
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 09:57
It is taking longer for company sponsored RP's because they have put in a new system whereby you actually get an appointment for your medical now and that is generally at least 4 weeks after you arrive (you still have to wait with everyone when you actually go for the medical so I'm not sure why they have put in this new system). Not having your RP shouldn't stop you getting a villa. We managed to get villa, electricity, phone etc without having our RP's. The only problem will be getting a cheque book to give cheques to the landlord but most landlords are understanding of this and will work with you - also if you talk to your/your husbands company they will often help out too. I read somewhere recently about not being able to ship your stuff over (or not being able to receive it here) without having your RP but we had all of our stuff delivered without RP's when we got here 4 years ago..maybe the system has changed??
56
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 09:46
If you begin the process as soon as you arrive it shouldn't take you longer than 4 weeks - maybe 5 max. Both I and a friend of mine managed to get our RPs in this timeframe. Good luck!