Working freelance in Qatar | ExpatWoman.com
 

Working freelance in Qatar

27
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 13:23

New day, new issue (I don't know what I'd do without this forum)...

I used to be a journalist in Europe before I came here and I'd like to produce some stories from Doha and be registered here. Started browsing the web for some info but didn't find anything of interest.
A French tv channel just contacted me for a 2-week gig and I don't know what to do. It would be silly to decline as I'm dying to go back to work!!

Any of you know people in my case? How do I get a sponsor? At the moment I'm still on a temp visa, waiting for my husband to get his RP before I get mine.

Thanks!

60
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:12
You're welcome & good luck :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 21:59
How lovely of you to share it with me :) Thanks Nik_172, downloading offer now!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 21:11
Toriabelle, There's a Journalist position posted in today Tribune, not sure if you're still looking but it's on page 4. http://www.qatar-tribune.com/data/20111120/pdf/nation.pdf
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 15:13
Yes, you will be on a family visa and no you don't need your own sponsor to be able to work (your husband is your sponsor). Technically you should be registered as a working woman if you are going to work but a lot of women work here without registering. Just to let you know though that (again technically) you can be fined for working without being registered although I don't personally know anyone who ever has been. Registering is quite a painful process as well! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 22:36
So basically, once my husband get his RP I'll be on a [b'>family [/b'>visa (right?) and this shouldn't prevent me from working? Understand - I don't really need a sponsor to work 2 days here and 3 days there? And then I can just invoice my client from here without really registering myself? I will definitely contact Qatar News Agency, and the French embassy too.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 20:42
Last year I started working for a company here before I got my visa while I was on a temp visa and I wound up leaving and going back to the UK and then back here in on a family visa. The school I worked for did not indicate to me that this was a problem and indicated that I should just show them my RP when I got it. I am now working as a consultant. The Qatari company has not asked to see any visa, passport, etc. but it was mentioned that if I needed a business visa they would give me on, as in, I suppose they feel that since I have said I am here on a family visa, they are OK with that. I can't imagine that every time we have a consultant come in for a few weeks they get a business visa but not sure...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 18:26
You can also try asking the Qatar News Agency. I do not know a whole lot about it, but I believe they are involved in registering journalists within Qatar. They might be a good resource. If you google it, their website will pop up.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 17:36
I know a few people who work as freelance journalists and as far as I know none of them are registered to work here - they are on family visas. Same for a few consultants that I know. If you are going to be writing for European publications I don't think its an issue at all. But you might want to try to contact some local magazines or newspapers who use locally based freelance journalists to see what the story is.