Moving to Qatar

Planning a move from the UK to Qatar

Qatar continues to attract professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, investors and families looking to establish themselves in the Gulf.

For somebody moving from the UK, the relocation can involve far more than obtaining a residence permit.

Employment, family visas, tax, property, business interests, banking, healthcare and the position of assets or commitments retained in the UK may all need to be considered.

Knightsbridge helps clients plan these issues as part of one coordinated international relocation.

Our role is to understand what you are trying to achieve, identify the areas that require attention and coordinate the appropriate immigration, tax, property and professional advice around the move.

Why are you moving to Qatar?

The right structure depends on the purpose of the move.

You may be relocating because you are:

• accepting employment in Qatar;
• moving with an international employer;
• taking up a senior executive role;
• establishing or expanding a business;
• investing in Qatar;
• moving with your family;
• purchasing property;
• managing regional business interests; or
• considering a longer-term move from the UK.

Different objectives can create different immigration, tax and practical considerations. The starting point should therefore be the outcome you are trying to achieve.

Qatar residence and visa options

Foreign nationals may obtain residence in Qatar through a number of different routes depending on their circumstances. These can include arrangements connected with:

• employment;
• employer sponsorship;
• family residence;
• business ownership;
• investment;
• property ownership; and
• other qualifying residence categories.

For many professionals, residence remains closely linked to employment. For investors, business owners and property purchasers, the structure may be different.

The appropriate route should be considered alongside your intended work, business activity, family position and longer-term plans.

Employment in Qatar

Many UK residents move to Qatar because of an employment opportunity.

This may involve sectors such as:

• finance;
• energy;
• construction;
• infrastructure;
• healthcare;
• education;
• aviation;
• technology;
• professional services; and
• hospitality.

The employment package can form a major part of the wider relocation.

It may include:

• salary;
• accommodation;
• schooling allowances;
• healthcare;
• flights;
• family sponsorship;
• transport;
• end-of-service arrangements; and
• other benefits.

For senior employees and executives, these arrangements should be considered alongside UK tax residence, pensions, investments and any continuing business interests.

Moving to Qatar with your family

Where a spouse, partner or children are relocating with you, their position should be considered from the outset. The family move may involve:

• dependant residence;
• eligibility criteria;
• documentation;
• schooling;
• healthcare;
• housing;
• rights to work; and
• timing.

The main applicant’s status can affect the options available to accompanying family members. It is therefore better to consider the family position before the principal applicant moves rather than afterwards.

Schools and education

For families with children, schooling can have a significant effect on both location and timing. Qatar has a substantial international-school sector serving expatriate families.

Families may need to consider:

• British curriculum schools;
• International Baccalaureate;
• American curriculum schools;
• school fees;
• waiting lists;
• admissions;
• term dates;
• transport; and
• distance from home and work.

Where the move is linked to the academic year, school admissions may influence the entire relocation timetable.

Housing in Qatar

Housing can also play a major part in the decision. You may be considering:

• employer-provided accommodation;
• renting privately;
• purchasing property;
• living close to schools;
• living close to work; or
• choosing an area based on long-term plans.

The most suitable option will depend on the length and purpose of the move. For some clients, renting first may provide useful flexibility while they become familiar with the country.

Property ownership in Qatar

Foreign nationals can own property in specified areas and under qualifying arrangements. Depending on the location and circumstances, a property purchase may also interact with residence rights.

Before purchasing property, it may be necessary to consider:

• whether foreign ownership is permitted;
• whether the property is in a qualifying area;
• the legal structure of ownership;
• financing;
• registration;
• service charges;
• rental potential;
• tax implications; and
• whether the property supports any residence objective.

The property and immigration positions should therefore be reviewed together.

Property and residence

In some cases, qualifying property ownership may support residence rights. However, this should not be treated as automatic.

The value, location and nature of the property can matter, and the rules can change over time.

Where property is being purchased primarily to support residence, eligibility should be confirmed before significant funds are committed.

Tax when moving from the UK to Qatar

Qatar is often attractive to internationally mobile professionals because of its personal tax environment. However, relocating to Qatar does not automatically bring UK tax residence to an end.

Your UK position may still depend on:

• the date you leave;
• days spent in the UK;
• accommodation;
• family connections;
• employment;
• UK property;
• business interests; and
• other continuing ties.

For many clients, the key issue is not simply the tax system in Qatar. It is how the UK and Qatar positions interact. Tax planning should therefore be considered before the move where possible.

Business owners and entrepreneurs

Qatar can also be relevant for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking a Gulf base or regional expansion.

A move may involve:

• establishing a company;
• investing in an existing business;
• opening a branch;
• relocating senior personnel;
• expanding a UK business;
• supplying Qatari customers; or
• operating across the wider Gulf.

These decisions can involve questions around:

• company formation;
• ownership;
• licensing;
• taxation;
• employment;
• banking;
• premises; and
• personal residence.

The business structure and the individual’s relocation should therefore be considered together.

Retaining a UK business while living in Qatar

Some clients intend to live in Qatar while continuing to own or manage a UK company. This can create additional questions around:

• management and control;
• directorships;
• salary;
• dividends;
• business travel;
• UK employees;
• UK tax;
• overseas operations; and
• transactions between UK and Qatari entities.

A personal relocation does not automatically change the tax residence or legal position of the company. Where substantial business interests are involved, both positions should be reviewed before the move.

UK property after relocation

Many people moving to Qatar continue to own property in the UK.

You may decide to:

• sell before departure;
• retain your home;
• rent it out;
• leave it available for personal use; or
• maintain homes in both countries.

That decision can affect:

• tax residence;
• rental income;
• capital gains;
• mortgage arrangements;
• insurance; and
• your continuing UK connections.

The UK property decision should therefore form part of the wider relocation strategy.

Healthcare and insurance

Healthcare arrangements should be understood before relocation.

Depending on your employer, residence status and family circumstances, medical insurance may form part of the employment package or require separate arrangements.

Families should consider:

• medical insurance;
• dependant cover;
• ongoing treatment;
• prescription medication;
• maternity care;
• specialist care; and
• emergency treatment.

Banking and moving money

A move to Qatar may require new financial arrangements.

You may need to consider:

• opening a Qatari bank account;
• retaining UK bank accounts;
• salary payments;
• moving savings;
• property funds;
• business banking;
• international payments; and
• source-of-funds requirements.

Where significant funds are being transferred internationally, it is useful to prepare supporting documentation in advance.

Investments and pensions

Changing residence may affect existing financial arrangements.

You may already hold:

• pensions;
• ISAs;
• investment portfolios;
• company shares;
• UK property;
• private businesses; and
• other financial assets.

Some UK providers may apply different rules once an individual becomes resident overseas. Where regulated investment or pension advice is required, this should be provided by an appropriately authorised professional.

Knightsbridge can help identify the issues and coordinate the relevant advisers.

Leaving the UK properly organised

The Qatar side of the move is only part of the relocation.

Before departure, you may also need to consider:

• UK tax residence;
• property;
• employment;
• business interests;
• investments;
• pensions;
• banking;
• insurance; and
• existing UK immigration status where relevant.

These issues should ideally be considered before the move becomes difficult to restructure.

How Knightsbridge helps

We approach a move to Qatar as a wider international relocation rather than simply a residence application.

We can help you:

Assess

Understand why you are moving and which residence options may fit your circumstances.

Plan

Identify the immigration, tax, property, family and business issues involved.

Prepare

Coordinate the residence and documentation process within the appropriate professional framework.

Coordinate

Work alongside Qatar-based professionals where local legal, tax, property or business expertise is required.

Review

Consider how your Qatar arrangements interact with the UK position you are leaving behind.

Before you move to Qatar

Qatar can offer strong opportunities for professionals, executives, families and businesses.

But the quality of the relocation depends on more than obtaining residence.

The immigration route, employment package, family arrangements, property decisions, tax position and UK interests should all support the same longer-term objective.

If you are considering moving from the UK to Qatar, tell us what you are trying to achieve, who will be moving with you and what UK property, business or financial interests you intend to retain.

We can help identify the areas that require attention and build the next steps around your proposed relocation.