Once famous for its pearl trade, Qatar has experienced phenomenal development since the 1980s, thanks to gas, holding as it does 20% of the world's reserves. These resources have enabled it to develop a national vision for 2030, a true master plan for the development of the country, its infrastructure, human resources and investments. It has experienced a range of difficulties since June 2017, the date of the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

Good to know :

Languages Spoken : Arabic (official language), English (business)
Local Currency : Qatari Riyals
Capital : Doha

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.E in Qatar

Do you already meet the International Young Talent Program criteria ?  

Do you have any doubts about your eligibility ? Feel free to contact us

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.A in Malaysia

To go to Qatar as a V.I.A, you must fulfil the access conditions to the V.I.A.
The administration that is recruiting you is responsible for your residence permit.

Cultural work codes in Qatar

Despite being a major player on the international scene and a supporter of globalization, Qatar remains a country that is very attached to its values, its culture and its history. Traditional lifestyles co-exist withthose of the West, yet remain predominant, including in the business world. Find out before you leave about the cultural codes and rules to be observed in situ !   

In Qatar, the best way to get in touch with someone is to call them on their mobile phone or send them an SMS or Whatsapp. To make an appointment, you need to contact the person concerned directly as secretaries have no control over schedules. There's no point in making an appointment weeks in advance! However, remember to remind the person concerned of the date a few days before.    

Business meetings often start by talking a little about your personal life and non-business topics to break the ice. Punctuality is important but expect last-minute postponements or even cancellations.  Be patient - establishing a relationship based on trust can take time and may require several meetings. In addition, decisions are often a lengthy process and there is no point in pressurizing people. Never get angry, rather express your disagreement tactfully and diplomatically. 

In Qatar, private and professional life are not clearly separated. The network is very important and businessmen often organize evenings that bring their contacts together. This is a good opportunity to develop your network in situ. Doubts about the dress code ? Never dress like a Qatari as this could be interpreted negatively by the locals. Favour formal, sober and modest outfits.

Things that may surprise you in Qatar

- Qatar never leaves you indifferent. Even before going there, everyone has a rather fixed opinion. You either love it or hate it ! Clichés are hard to overcome... They need to be set aside however to discover the pearl of the East that is really worth knowing.

- Meet people from all over the world - Europeans, Asians, Americans, Lebanese and North Africans. English is the language of day-to-day life with a population composed of 90% foreigners. Good to know - if you want to learn Arabic, theInstitutFrançaisprovides practical courses to help you get by in everyday life !

- Qatar is a safe country ! It is very rare to be accosted in the street or to be a victim of pickpocketing. In addition, the numerous video surveillance cameras allow the police to monitor and intervene quickly.

- No, you will not have to wear the black abaya if you are a woman or the white thobe if you are a man. Only Qataris wear traditional dress ! Want to do some shopping ? There are no shortage of shopping malls where you will find all the international brands. A little tip Some "malls" are surprisingly original, from the reproduction of Venice to Doha Festival City which hosts the Angry Birds World theme park and the Snow Dunes artificial snow slopes ! 

- Stroll along the Corniche, from the famous Museum of Islamic Art to the skyscrapers of the West Bay business district. Doha looks like Miami with its athletes, palm trees and, of course, the sun and the turquoise sea.

- The weekend is from Friday to Saturday. Your programme ? If you are a sports enthusiast, why not go kite-surfing or kayaking in the Al Khor mangrove in the north of the country. Adventurers may prefer to take a 4x4 for a drive in the sand dunes and, maybe spend the night in the desert, arounda barbecue of chich taouk and kafta (skewers of grilled marinated chicken and beef with parsley). You prefer lounging around ? You can choose from the many private beaches in Doha or the wild public beaches outside the capital. You are interested in culture ? The museums, cultural and tourist sites on offer continue to increase - you can visit the Katara Art Cultural Village, the Museum of Modern Arts (MATHAF) or the Fire Station. A bit of a party animal ? Check out the bars of the 5-star hotels, such as the Backyard at the Sheraton, the Crystal at the W Hotel or the Nobu at the Hilton, which are the only places allowed to serve alcoholic beverages. Between friends, you can also hire a traditional "dhow" boat in the bay of Doha. The sunset is well worth taking in !

- Qatar is intimately linked with major sporting competitions. The FIFA 2022 Football World Cup is being organised there. The 8 magnificent stadiums will soon be ready! Is football not really your thing ? The equestrian domain, the Al Shahaniya camel racetrack or falcon racing, which Qataris are really passionate about, are moments to live and discover !