working abroad doesn’t fix it

In today’s world or era, many people especially young people see working abroad is a ticket to better life, for thousands from Africa and other developing countries, the dream of working in Qatar-one of the most richest countries per capital is especially alluring with its booming economy, tax free salaries, and job opportunities in sectors like construction, Hospitality, education and health care Qatar draws expatriates in such good life ahead

But here is the hard solid truth that people don’t know that working abroad doesn’t solve your problems of them if they can maybe one or two and not in the way you might expect actually if you are considering relocating into Qatar I am writing and this or this content aims to give you an honest and a more practical look at what it’s and what the decision one needs more than just hope and desperation

Why Qatar

Qatar is one of the fastest developing countries in the Gulf cooperation council GSS region with preparation for global events like the FIFA World Cup which was held in 2022 and major National development projects in cooperation to vision 2030 the country now offers a surge of employment opportunities to people who are looking for jobs or greener pastures

Accommodation is sometimes included sending money back home is a life changing game but this this promises you too use or people who are looking for job to become a reality to many

What it takes to work in Qatar

✅ A valid visa or job offer sponsorship

Qatar has sponsorship programs kafala which needs you to have a local employer who will as your sponsor and this allows him to give you the following

Work permit, a residence visa, exit permit but comes with more restrictions that have been polished in the recent years

However, to avoid third party agents who can give you fake jobs without legitimate contracts you have to verify your visa sponsorship through government official channels

✅ Proper documents as it is to get any job you have to get certified and qualified documents like educational, professional licenses (for teachers, engineers not forgetting medical workers) police clearance and medical services reports but the most important thing is to have a passport with sufficient validity

✅ Understanding Labor Rules and regulation

Many people sign contracts without reading them or understanding them for example in Qatar law it governs contracts, when will your working period will end, end of contract benefits, leave policies and many more because the list is endless

You have to know this before you leave your country

📌Is your accommodation provided

📌Are you paid overtime

📌Is your passport help by your employer which is illegal?

✅Mental and change of culture awareness

Living in Qatar it means a lot to you as a foreigner. First of all, you have to adapt to a Muslim society, modesty and dressing is highly expected because you can be denied access to even your workplace if you are dressed improperly, alcohol, public affection, and controversial peach can lead to legal troubles or even fined or lead to termination of your contract

Many people face culture shock especially it they are first timer and never lived in the middle east adding to the loneliness of being far from family and support systems this experience becomes to a more psychological draining

✅ High cost of living

Even thou above I had mentioned that salaries are competitive it happens to be the same in expenses also

Let’s just do a math calculation

If your salary is 4000
1000 is for rent if the company doesn’t provide accommodation
Food cost 500 depending on what is your diet and type of food you want for your body
Transport, data and personal or hygiene items 500

💫This is half of your salary that you have spent and yet not to your fulfillment actually you are left with little to save or send back home.

⭕Now here comes the misconception: #working abroad will solve my problems

Many of us think or have that idea that When I get out their things will get better

But do you know what really happens let me highlight some of the problems you may encounter

You carry your own problems with you, emotionally you will be traumatized, toxic relationships or lack of directions won’t disappear once you have boarded a plane or have a plane ticket in fact they can increase or intensify when you are alone in a foreign land
Ending up in a worst situation, desperation often leads people to accept poor working conditions or fall into debt traps some migrants even return home with no savings and broken dreams and emotional scars
In Qatar you can be overqualified and underpaid it is very common here in Qatar for experts in some profession fields like engineering, IT professionals or teachers to work as security guards or salespeople this means that the jobs offered here are far below the qualifications one holds and due to this it leads t 📌 Loss of profession and identity

📌Frustration and burn out

📌Stalled career progression

4. You can be exploited

Reforms are made every time, but this doesn’t give you a white card that everything will occur, some common issue can be like 📌 Delayed or unpaid wages

📌Passport confiscation

📌No access to legal assistance

📌Poor living conditions for low wage workers

So, should you consider working in Qatar?

Yes, you can if you have a plan because it can be incredibly rewarding if you have the right reasons on why you are going to work abroad

Maybe you could take a breath and ask yourself these few questions

🥊Am I clear on what am I going to do or why am I going?

Ask yourself this am I going to grow professionally or it’s to escape hardship
am I aiming for financial stability or it’s just following on what others do like monkey see monkey do principal
If you didn’t get this job, could you still pursue the same goal another way

Be honest with yourself if the why is rooted in the desperation zone or peer pressure the experience may not be fulfilling

🥊Have I done enough research about the company, the job and what it takes to do the task

Do you really know the exact job title, duties, salary, and working hours?
have you verified if the company is legally registered and has a good review from employees?
do you have a copy of the employment contract and understand every term in it?

Never trust vague promises if it sounds too good to be true then surely it is

🥊Do I have emotional resilience to handle loneliness, stress and cultural adjustment

Can you really live far from family and friends for months or years at a time?
Have you ever worked or lived in a different country or environment before?
Are you easier to adapt or copy strategies for stress, homesickness, or working pressure?

Life abroad can be isolating I myself have become an introvert, emotional strength is important than physical readiness

🥊Am I prepared financially to cover initial expenses

Can you afford your travel, visa processing and basic needs when you arrive?
Do you have emergency money in case the job offers falls through or you face delays?
Are you borrowing money or selling assets to go?

Starting broke and staying broke in a foreign county is risky prepare a landing safety cushion

🥊Do I have a 3–5-year plan for career and personal development

Ask yourself what do you really want to achieve I 3-4 years to come, savings? A professional upgrade? Or business capitalism?
How will this job help you reach that goal you have been fantasizing about
Do you have a backup plan if things don’t go as expected because things turnover

Without a plan you may end up spending years abroad and returning home with nothing but regret and emotional scars

If you answer this questions correctly and truthfully then it will be your compass to guide, you through your journey to work abroad and it will protect you from having a disappointment later

Location can’t fix direction

Qatar is not a magic land is a country like yours with its own challenges and opportunities. Moving abroad is not a solution to inner problems, unclear goals or bad planning

Make it a strategic move if you are planning to work abroad not an emotional escape because here your future deserves more than a wishful thinking