Living in Qatar

Whether you are a resident or a visitor to Qatar, dealing with one or more of the country's government offices is going to be a necessity at some point in your stay. You can do it the old-fashioned way, visiting the offices and transacting your business directly with the government people, or do it the more convenient way -- online.

Government Online

Hukoomi

Hukoomi (the government website in English – www.gov.qa/wps/portal) should be the first place you look into when you want to learn more about Qatar. It serves as an access point to the many services provided by the government and allows everyone visitors and residents alike, to make transactions online. It has some 328 services including 65 e-services and has links for various government ministries, councils, departments and institutions.

Registration: Some services, like driving licences, require online registration with a Qatari ID card for residents and nationals or a passport number for users outside Qatar. You will need to confirm your registration in person after notification by SMS that it has been accepted, by taking your original ID plus a photocopy to the Q-Post Head Office.

Metrash

This Ministry of Interior electronic service allows residents of Qatar to receive free SMS alerts on GSM mobile phones for the following: residency permit expiry; traffic violations; driving licence expiry; car registration expiry.

Visit www.moi.gov.qa to register or send SMS to 2992 with the text “sub” followed by your ID number.

Useful Documents/Processing

You need to prove your identity in Qatar for all government and commercial transactions, so have plenty of:

• Passport-size photos and several copies of the passport of each family member.
• Copies of your marriage and birth certificate.
• Originals or copies of educational qualifications may need to be authenticated in your country of origin.

Translate a document: The official language in Qatar is Arabic. All documents must bear the translation firm’s official stamp to be considered valid.

Asia Translation and Services Centre 4444 0943 Arabic Cultural Centre 4465 3363

Translations Studio provides professional translation, proofreading and editing in all languages. Call Yvonne Ikram (appointed translator by EU Law) on 607 6889 or visit www.translations-studio.com Mandoub: Most organisations offer help to their employees on arrival and have a public relations officer (mandoub) who is responsible for completing much of the official documentation.