Bambii | ExpatWoman.com
 

Bambii

Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2014 - 22:23
I came on a tourist visa and have been driving on my international license. Just got my RP and Qatar ID today so will go and transfer my home license to Qatari license. I have been told to stop driving from today until this process has been completed. Apparently cannot use International license once RP granted. So back to using a driver for about a week I think. Only Americans have to do a driving test.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2014 - 22:13
Congrats klaraleva! November will be beautiful weather. What advice do you need? Ladies please note that Eid (in celebration of yearly pilgrimage) is next week so everything will stop/slow down again for a couple of weeks.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2014 - 06:22
Police Clearance: zuzu i think should be fine but check with HR, but you must bring original with you. If u have time I would notarize and attest the original. Housing: I think there is also Saray towers (there is a thread on this forum). I dont think you get to choose but if you are proactive you may be able to discuss what is available with housing prior to moving. drc: there is a mix of males & females in all departments.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2014 - 23:18
BEDH can you please detail the process? I have someone I know from Indonesia I would like to bring over but not sure how to do it alone. How much do you actually save by doing it without an agency?
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2014 - 23:14
Dra as far as I know you need to have RP for private rental but maybe you can rent out hotel/apartment onn tourist visa? you will need to communicate with some establishments and ask. More importantly you need to confirm that children can attend schools for 6/7months on tourist visa. i think this may be an issue.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2014 - 13:15
Here are the schools I know of which you can google DBS - al wakra GEMS - al wakra Qatar Finland International School There were some announcements on Doha News website that you might look up.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2014 - 13:09
Im new in doha so not much help. Plenty of people live in Pearl area and travel to west bay, its 10min if no traffic. Ive heard different things about Zigzag. Issues seem to be plumbing, fire alarms (going off) and can't open windows. Again this is not firsthand info just what I have heard.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2014 - 06:55
They will need the original copy that has been notarised (once by notary public then by foreign affairs) then attested. Do not deface your original degrees, this is not necessary. Hence the need for the notary to sign and stamp the copy is a true copy of the original. The foreign affairs then signs and stamps that the notary public is known figure. Then the embassy attests that the foreign affairs stamp is true. Whether you bring original degrees is up to you, or if you want to leave home for safe keeping. If you leave I suggest you make several copies to be notarised. Also ask HR if they want the originals. We brought ours but did not need to submit originals, just copies. As the whole notary & attestation process takes time, you just email what you have to get the process going then email the attested later and bring with you. After you sign the provisional offer, HR will send you all requirements.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 August 2014 - 22:41
Police certificate: apply for this and then take original to be notarized by foreign affairs then send to embassy to be attested. Birth Certificates : everyone Position: Mom! When sidra send you the request for all these papers, you are required to email it all to them and then bring all originals with you. A note about emails: the best way to email this massive amount of documents is via dropbox or gdrive. Try to be organized and send them all in a couple of emails. It takes a while to scan and file everything. So start now scanning everything mentioned below to get a head start. Also make sure all passports are valid at least two years, if not more. There is more paperwork but it will be specific to your position.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 August 2014 - 13:13
According to what we were required for Sidra- were we sent a very detailed list of things to prepare. It will take time. Again requirements will differ according to position. Below is not everything! But you can start to prepare. *Paperwork- you only need to translate if certificates are not in english or arabic *Notarization: this is carried out by a notary public who will notarize copies of original (dont do this for police clearance as you must submit original) - then notarized by foreign affairs- then send to Qatar embassy in your country to be attested (so might want to find out about this service and address etc..) *Police clearance- apply and have it notarised and attested (they will only consider it valid for 6 months from application so hold off if you dont know for sure you are coming within this time frame *Highest degree needs to be notarised (a copy of) and attested. We were informed that you will need to submit a letter to embassy with your degree to state that it was not online degree if you achieved after year 2000. Get this from your college/uni admin. *Get ready: all degrees, registration cert, degree transcripts, marriage cert, 2years of children reports, birth certificates, 3 references, 2 letters of recommendationv(from last 5 years), Employment Verification letter on letterhead signed by HR and stating job title and period of employment in dd/mm/yyyy format for last 5 years. *Cv- detailed and with references with starting and end dates in dd/mm/yyyy (they will return to you if you dont do this format!) *Passport photos - blue back ground and white background (10- 12 each) *schools - get on this now. Research and apply to schools you would like if not attending Qatar Sidra Academy. Good Luck Hours of work- 7-4, Thurs finish a bit earlier I think, Fri and Sat off.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2014 - 21:39
Al Rayyan oasis consists of villas on the outer perimeter and (ithink 2 storey) apartments on the inner perimeter. The middle of the compound is an olympic size pool (very impressive) with a 3 storey clubhouse that is a hall, gym, squash, tennis, basket ball courts. A small minimart and not sure if there are a couple small stores. Qatar academy sidra is situated within Education City behind Qatar Academy. Education city is directly opposite Sidra Hospital. At the moment Sidra offices are in West Bay. Al Rayyan oasis is about 10-15 min away from Sidra Hospital. You need to clarify with Sidra if they will cover tuition for a school of your choice if you decide not to send to QAS. I think they will but rules change and again Im not sure if benefits are different according to grades. Its best to clarify. Note that Qatar Academy is different to Qatar Academy Sidra. They are two separate schools!
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2014 - 06:11
Noonie your friends will most probably come from people you meet at work/ courses. You need to network! There is a professional womans group ( any age) that provide opportunities to network and have loads of workshops to help you develop your career..http://hwwqatar.com ..I highly reccommend reading their site and blog for hints and then go to their events..I think one coming up 15 Sept. You might want to just send them an email and see what they can do for you. Also there are lots of other courses you can do such as learning arabic at Fanar, art courses, courses at the islamic museum, kayaking with entalek.org,..good luck :)
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 August 2014 - 22:36
In your contract it may state all your benefits, including your allowance should you choose to use it. They might write it as a benefit level. But the allowance is dependent on your grade and also your family status. So it is different for everybody. I would say that you may have to supplement the allowance if you want something specific or location specific. But then again if you shop around you could get something within the allowance. We didnt know our allowance until we were almost here. I think you can roller blade in Aspire park. Lots of water activities eg look up entalek.org for kayaking and moonlight trips!
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 August 2014 - 05:40
Hi Klaraleva & Fauna Normal procedure is for the employee to come first and to complete RP (2-3weeks) then apply for a family visa (2 weeks). If ststed in your contract that airfares covered for family members, Sidra will bring them over. However we did not have the luxury of this time as we really wanted children to begin school on time. So my husband was brought over by Sidra on his work visa and we (mum & kids) had to pay for our own tickets (to be reimbursed after RP) and we entered on a tourist visa. I may need to do a visa run if paperwork not completed. Im not up to that stage yet. We are lucky that the school the children go to are a bit separate from SEC procedures and I just have to show them that RP process underway (letter from sidra admin). However, I think this is unique to only a few schools and most schools require RP before kids can begin. At the moment im negotiating extending school fees as again Sidra will not pay fees till RP completed. So basically if you come early without family visa via sidra the family is not covered for any benefits including health insurance. So if you have the time, it is better to wait for normal procedure. We are currently in sidra accommodation in West Bay as our relocation happened so fast. Apparently, Al Rayyan is not full (at least family accommodation), not sure about singles/couples. I have visited Al Rayyan twice and seems very pleasant. We have not yet decided if we will go there or rent out. Just started looking. They give you I think 90 days to decide (which is also by the way the probation period). But there are lots of choices depending on your budget and needs. The advantage of staying in hospital accommodation is that it is fully furnished (right down to forks and cleaning equipment), you have no utilities to pay, maintenance included. Living in Doha is unique. It can be a boring place if you want it to be or it can be a place full of potential. I really think it is a mindset and how open you are to new and different experiences. Most importantly, don't compare, just take it for what it is. I personally like it and have found more things to do than I can fit in my schedule. Eating out here is big and so there are many, many choices for social outings based on food. On the cultural scene there does seem to be quite a bit going on, you just need to look for it. They are big here on fitness so there is so much choice of classes and sports.There is the unique opportunity of desert outings/camps and ofcourse you can travel very easily (&quickly) from Doha! Would highly recommend joining Dohamums which is a local forum full of info.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 August 2014 - 23:15
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. Then you would have told them how much time you need to relocate ie 2 weeks/ 2 months as per your circumstances. So I think once you know visa has been applied for you should have sufficient time to wrap things up. As far as I know hiring is still going ahead with no delays. We relocated within 10 days of getting our visa as we had a school deadline to meet for the kids.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 August 2014 - 23:07
http://www.fanar.gov.qa apparently classes here are really good
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 August 2014 - 03:31
From your experience which has best/ strongest network & internet connections? Thanx :) <em>edited by Bambii on 17/08/2014</em>
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 13:27
Rubyblue I heard that they will be using other functioning hospitals to keep clinical practices up? How high are the rents really for a 4/5 bed villa? Do you know the housing allowance range?
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 11:04
Shoesnbags have your children been attending school on a tourist visa? <em>edited by Bambii on 11/08/2014</em>
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 11:00
Thank you ParkClark for the advice. Are you with Sidra?
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 August 2014 - 05:22
Not sure but there is someone who supplies thermomix which also makes icecreams [email protected]
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 August 2014 - 05:08
I agree the lack of information and the extremely long time frames which seem to be never ending is the most frustrating part of the process..But many have said that once it happens, it happens very quickly. HOwever it is a very long process which is quite foreign to those in the west. I guess its just part of the package of relocating to a different part of the world.
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 August 2014 - 03:43
Government offices just started work yesterday (Tuesday 5th) including Sidra after a 11 day holiday for Eid. Hang in there Abby86 :) Am at my last stage and waiting visa which has been over 5 weeks now and hoping it will come through this week. Its down to the wire, school is starting soon! In terms of time frame, it was quite a few weeks between interview and offer. I dont think its a one man decision but that they have group meetings etc..it all takes time! I think its good to make contact, kind of reminding them you are still there ;) ie hope you had a great holiday and just checking on progress.... Can anyone share some negotiation tips ?
Bambii
24
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2014 - 08:53
Hi everyone From my experience, SIdra will at least meet what you currently earn. Was offered same salary (pretax) plus benefits. So i think its reasonable to negotiate before refusing a position, and you may even want to show proof of salary earned. I dont think its true that they dont want Americans. I think they very much want westerners. Dont forget that most of the admin staff are expats like us!
 
 
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