Dear Biju,
Thank you very much for such a prompt response. I apologize for burdening you. However, I know many people who are facing similar dilemmas, so your suggestions will be very useful even if you take a little time to answer them.
Negotiations for my job postings are still ongoing, and I have been asked to keep things confidential. I hope you trust me on that. This Dubai-based company has numerous divisions and a branch/office in Doha. The office where I may be located is at:
Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi Building
Next to Teyseer Petrol Pump Station
Near Qatar Decorations Roundabout
Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar.
Additionally, I have other concerns. My wife is a professor in Management specializing in International Marketing & Corporate Strategy. After some research, I discovered there is one university in Qatar and five different foreign (US) university branches in Doha. Unfortunately, the University of Qatar and four out of the five foreign university branches do not offer any management courses. Only the Dale Carnegie branch in Doha offers a Management course, but only at the undergraduate level. I cannot allow my wife to compromise on her professional career or designation, considering her 21+ years of service and her usual teaching at the postgraduate level. The biggest question now is the possibility of her securing an appropriate (professor level) teaching job in Doha, where opportunities seem scarce, especially for Management courses compared to technical education fields like mathematics, engineering, IT, and medicine.
Our family currently consists of me, my wife, and our daughter. My daughter may or may not join us in Doha, so we require at least a one-bedroom independent flat. Based on my inquiries, a simple two-bedroom flat with ACs only costs not less than 8000 Dhrams/Riyals, while a one-bedroom flat could be around 6000 Rials. Monthly expenses for food, transport, mobile/telephone/miscellaneous charges, and sending money for my daughter's educational and hostel needs in India could amount to an additional 4000-5000 rials. This totals to an estimated 12,000 rials/dhrams per month easily. According to reliable reports, prices are expected to increase by 25% to 40%. Doha is undoubtedly more expensive than Dubai itself, and the situation in Dubai is already alarming. Therefore, it is crucial for me to ensure my wife finds employment wherever we go. Otherwise, the move may not be worthwhile, especially considering that managerial positions in India are currently better paying than in the Middle East. However, the tax-free incentive and higher teaching pay abroad for my wife are driving us to seek employment overseas.
The first question is whether it is feasible for both of us (my wife and me) to live on a monthly income of 12,000 UAE dirhams/Qatar riyals. Secondly, I am concerned about the visa procedures and the strict conditions to follow in Qatar. For instance, serving a minimum of two years with the first sponsor before seeking any change puts us at the mercy of our initial sponsor for a significant period. Understanding this would help us negotiate effectively. Lastly, do you think Dubai, despite its similar costliness, might be a better alternative? The employment opportunities for my wife in Dubai/Sharjah (or UAE) appear more promising compared to Doha, Qatar.
Dear Biju, your assistance and advice are greatly appreciated.
Warm regards,
M.A.G