Job Discussion Forums

[Paul76]

Can an unmarried couple live together in Qatar? How about outside of Doha?

[helenl]

They can - it's illegal (considered adultery) and if someone decides to dob you in, you may be arrested, given jail time and/or lashes and then deported. Does that happen? It's not reported in the newspapers but I know personally of at least one guy who was accused of adultery by his Saudi neighbour (the guy was accused of having an affair with a housemaid in the same block of flats) - and that's the chain of events that occured.

In reality, there are lots of people cohabiting. So long as you don't tick anyone off or "flaunt" it - you could pretend to be married and so long as you are both white western expats, you'd probably be OK. You would both have to come in on separate work/residency visas and neither of you would be able to sponsor the other to enter the country. That means you'd both have to have jobs and get your own sponsorship.

Should you be able to accomplish that - do not tell your sponsor (or anyone else) that you are cohabiting with someone not your legal spouse - this can affect the type of housing you are offered (should that be part of the employment package), and other benefits such as medical and tickets home.

[biffinbridge]

I lived in sin in Qatar then my long term girlfriend came out and we did one of those weddings that aren't really legal gigs.
It's ok, but don't tell people you don't know about your situation....you wouldn't walk around the UK advertising the fact that you were doing drugs. The Qataris will leave westerners alone as long as a muslim isn't involved.

[wilberforce]

The best advice is not to co-habit as you can get into big trouble. One guy at the Gulag was reported on a few years ago and lost his job.

Just get married. I did years ago but then the wife left for someone who earns more money. So now I just hang around with my gal pals.