Dear Biju,
Thanks very much for such a prompt response. SORRY FOR BURDENING YOU. But I know of many people who are facing similar dilemmas. Hence your suggestions will be very useful even if you take a little time in answering them.
Since negotiations for my job postings are still going on I have been asked to keep things confidential. Hope you trust me on that. But this is a Dubai based company with numerous divisions and it has a branch / office in Doha. The office where most probably I might be located is at:
Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi Building
Next to Teyseer Petrol Pump Station
Near Qatar Decorations Round About
Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar.
In addition to the previous point, I have other worries too. For instance, my wife is a professor in Management (International marketing & Corporate Strategy). I did a little bit of study and found out that there is One university of Qatar and 5 different foreign (US) university branches in Doha. The university of Qatar and 4 of the 5 foreign university branches in Doha either do not offer or don't have any management course. Only Dale Carnige branch in Doha is offering Management course and that too at the undergraduate level. I cannot allow my wife to compromise either on her professional career or designation, since she has more than 21 years of good service and she teaches mostly at Post graduate level. Moreover, what is the possibility for her to get an appropriate (professor level) teaching job in Doha, is the biggest question, since openings or opportunities are almost negligible. This is because in spite of Doha being the Education City, preference seems to be more for technical type of education, i.e., mathematics, engineering, IT, medicine, etc and almost none for Management courses, as of now.
Our family as of now, is me, my wife and my daughter. My daughter may or may not join us at Doha. So, we need to at least have one bed-roomed independent flat. My estimation (after enquiries) tells me that a simple 2-bedroomed flat with ACs only is not less than 8000 Dhrams / Riyals. therefore, we can expect one--bedroomed one to be 6000 Rials. Food, transport, mobile/telephone/ miscellaneous charges etc plus sending money for my daughter's educational and hostel needs in India will take another 4000 - 5000 rials, per month. That is the end of 12,000 rials / dhrms per month salary easily. According to very reliable reports, prices are further going to raise by 25% to 40%. The fact is that Doha is costlier than Dubai itself, without a doubt. Situation in Dubai is itself very alarming!!! Therefore it is important for me to see to it that my wife is also employed in near future where ever I go. Other wise what is the point ? India is better paying for managerial positions than the middle east now-a-days. (However, tax-fee is an incentive and for my wife her pay in teaching in foreign countries is definitely higher than in India, and therefore we are seeking employment abroad).
Is it possible for both of us (me and my wife) to live there with 12,000 UAE dirhams / Qatar riyals monthly income only, is the first question. Second, I beleive the visa procedure and especially the conditions to follow are very tough there? (For example, you have to serve a minimum of two years with your first sponsor before seeking any change. That means we will be under the mercy of our first sponsor (first job) for 2 years???). It is important to know this because then we will know what to negotiate for beforehand itself. Third, don't you think Dubai (which is equally costly) is a better alternative, since opportunities for my wife's employment in Dubai / Sharjah (or UAE) are better than in Doha, Qatar?
Dear Biju, kindly help. Kindly advise.
Warm regards,
M.A.G