All cases are presided over by a judge (or ‘qadi)’ – there are no juries – and both plaintiff and defendant can be asked questions by him in order to determine guilt or innocence. The plaintiff must establish proof of guilt, and generally is required to produce two to four eyewitnesses (the number depends on the seriousness of the alleged wrongdoing). In the absence of eyewitnesses, the qadi may require the defendant to undertake an oath of innocence; refusal to do so will be regarded as proof of guilt. Visitors from Western countries to Gulf States need to be aware that these largely patriarchal societies do not yet share the same degree of sexual liberalism as Westerners may be accustomed to: homosexuality, adultery and ‘fornication’ each carry fixed, and frequently severe, penalties, as indeed do theft, murder and ‘apostasy’ (deserting or rejecting Islam). Lesser penalties are issued for drug and alcohol consumption, debt and usury or viewing pornography – but all are considered illegal. As in Western countries (only more so), ignorance of the law is not considered a defence – it’s advisable to be very familiar with the specific laws of the Gulf country you are about to enter.

The most notable opportunity for long term, full time work in Qatar is the information technology sector.  Qatar IT jobs are vital to the success and proper operation of these multinational firms.  Whether communicating with offices outside of the nation in the neighbouring country of Saudi Arabia, or thousands of miles away with international clients in Japan, open lines of communication are absolutely necessary. The next most notable positions are project management and construction positions within these oil companies.  Whilst some construction projects are short lived, these sorts of project management positions can span several years.  Regardless, each and every support position in the petroleum industry is in demand in Qatar; it’s simply a matter of getting oneself in touch with those who are hiring.

Most of the time you will discover that many areas of the Gulf are included in such a job search.  For instance you will usually find sections of websites that are focused on jobs in Qatar, as well as jobs in other specific regions.  If you have a specific preference for finding a job in a particular area (such as jobs in Qatar for example) you should start in this region.  Otherwise the best bet is to search for jobs in Gulf in general, and then narrow down your findings as you get closer to what it is you want.

For instance you may have a specific job type in mind, such as a job in the oil industry or in the IT world.  On the other hand, you may simply want to look at all the jobs in Qatar and then narrow down the work that you are best suited for after that.

As you can see, you can begin your search for jobs in Gulf in many ways.  Isolate the best method for your needs, depending on the knowledge you already have, and go from there.

This is where the internet comes in.  You can find all the information you will need by searching online for it.  Jobs in Qatar are easy to find once you know which websites to visit.  Look for them, make a list of URLs and check them regularly for the kind of work you are looking for.  Searching in this way saves time and will enable you to find more opportunities as well.

But don’t just look for jobs in Qatar.  Look for information about the area and familiarise yourself with the exchange rate as well.  You will need to know how far your proposed salary would go, so bear this in mind.  Working in Qatar means you will be living out there too, so every aspect of the move needs to be considered well in advance.  One of the most important things to know is the type of visa your prospective employer would give you if they offered you a job.  This information will help you to make a decision about your future.

Relocating to Qatar is a big move and a big decision to make.  Finding out as much as you can online will get you ahead of the competition.

Oracle developer jobs are commonly seen, as are database administrators and software development project managers.  The important thing to remember is that it pays to get some experience in your own country before trying to find Qatar IT jobs that will suit your grade and level of professional knowledge.  The competition for these jobs is generally quite stiff, so you should give yourself the best advantage possible before you apply.

Most Qatar IT jobs will have a set of requirements you must meet to be considered for the position.  Read through them carefully so you can work out whether you meet them all.  Watch out for minimum time frames of experience as well; many positions ask for three or four years and so are unsuitable for newer people with less experience.

When you eventually land one of the Qatar IT jobs that are available, you can look forward to better prospects once you settle down into the company you are working for.  Many IT companies have more than one branch and location, offering you the chance to move within the company. 

Finally make sure you pay attention to the length of time between the successful applicant being notified and the time to start the job.  You must be sure you are ready if you accept.

Jobs Qatar opportunities are oftentimes overlooked compared to other desirable areas such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.  For those of you who are contemplating relocating overseas to work, Qatar has become a popular destination for career and job seekers.  Since 2000, the country has been experiencing positive economic growth.  This is evidenced by the fact that the country experienced a budget surplus for the 8th year in a row as of 2008.

A simple search using the keywords “Jobs Qatar” will result in hundreds of choices and information about the career market in this Middle East nation.  If you refine your search to include the particular job or specific position you are looking for, this will help you narrow down your choices and save you a lot of time in the long run.  Additionally, use the internet to research the particular companies you are considering.

Start by investigating those larger companies that have been operating the longest.  You may find that the best opportunities are waiting for you when you do this.  In addition to this, remember that longevity also equates to better job security when the company is more stable.  There is a possibility that the earnings potential may be greater with these larger companies, but that is not always a hard and fast rule.

In the first instance a work visit visa is usually issued to allow the applicant to enter the country and take up their employment.  They then complete the necessary paperwork whilst in the country with the help of their employer.

In order to obtain the correct visas and permits applicants must ensure that they have a passport which still has at least six months to run, birth certificate, marriage certificates and a medical certificate.  The fees which relate to work visas will be paid by the sponsoring company, though applicants may have to pay a small processing fee when they send in their documentation.  Information on fees and documentation required can be obtained from the website of the country’s embassy.

This can all be dealt with when you arrive in the country on a business or visitor visa.  Residency visas can run from one to three years. Those who may need to travel regularly may be able to obtain a multi-entry visa.  Applications for residence visas are made on arrival in Qatar and usually take around six weeks to come through.  Immediate family of the worker will also be issued with a residence visa under the same sponsorship as the worker.  

Long-term residence visas are subject to both medical and fingerprint examinations. Those staying long-term in Qatar must also have an identity card.  It is required documentation when dealing with all official issues.

If you search on the internet for the job market in Qatar, you will see what we are talking about.  Numerous positions are opening up in a variety of industries such as:

- Banking and Finance
- Construction
- Education
- Healthcare
- Management
- Media
- Real Estate
- Tourism

So if you are qualified in any of these areas you should consider applying for the position that is most suited to your qualifications and skill level.  There are also a number of job recruiting agencies to choose from, but just be aware that many of them charge the prospective employee the fee.  Search for those who only charge the employer when considering using a job recruiting agency.

You will need to compose a top quality cover letter to send with your CV or resume when you apply for a position in the job market in Qatar.  Additionally, you should make sure that your CV or resume is as accurate and up-to-date as possible before contacting any employer and applying to them.