Facts for visitors: Useful tips for new arrivals

BUSINESS HOURS: Private businesses commonly work from Saturday to mid-Thursday afternoon and are open from 8:00am to noon and 4:00pm to 8:00pm. International companies often work from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Ministries and government agencies typically work Sunday to Thursday from 7:00am to 2:00pm. It is useful to conduct business with these institutions before 11:00am. During the month of Ramadan working hours in Qatar are usually shifted to earlier in the morning and later in the evening to avoid the mid-day heat. Shopping malls are often open from 10:00am until 10:00pm. Many local shops close on Friday.

LANGUAGE: Arabic is the official language, although an array of different languages is spoken, including several South and East Asian languages. English is commonly used in business and in the services industry.

CURRENCY: The Qatari riyal (QR) is the currency and is made up of 100 dirhams. However, coins are rarely used and most transactions are rounded up or down to the nearest riyal. Notes are denominated as QR1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500. The riyal has effectively been pegged to the dollar at around $1:QR3.64 since 2001. ATMs and currency exchanges are plentiful.

ETIQUETTE: As is the case in most Gulf countries, hospitality predicates that regardless how brief a meeting is, you will be offered some sort of refreshment. Refusal is impolite; at least ask for a glass of water. Giving and receiving anything should always be done with the right hand. Shaking hands is the usual form of introduction and making eye contact when doing so is appreciated. In some instances, Arab men may prefer not to shake hands with women and similarly, veiled women may prefer not to shake the hands of men. As a rule of thumb when meeting locals of the opposite sex, the visitor should always wait for the other person to make an offer of a hand before reaching for a handshake.

DRESS: For women, skirts should generally fall below the knee, and shoulders and midriff should always be covered in order to avoid any unwanted attention. Shorts are generally acceptable for foreign men.

VISA: For 33 designated countries, one-month tourist visas are available on arrival. Although visa costs vary by nationality, QR100 ($27.50) is the standard rate. Visas must be purchased with a credit or debit card, rather than cash, at the immigration desk upon arrival. It is recommended to have a printout of your outbound flight and hotel confirmation available for presentation. Tourist visas can be extended for one extra month at the airport visa office. Visa requirements vary according to nationality. Policies and requirements can be subject to change, so it is always advisable to consult with an airline or embassy before booking a flight.

TIPPING: A service tax is usually included in restaurant bills, making tipping uncommon. Tips are appreciated, but taxi drivers and doormen do not expect them.

COMMUNICATIONS: Fixed-line to fixed-line calls within Qatar are free, but may be subject to a fee from hotels. SIM cards for local mobiles, both prepaid and post-paid, are available but require registration. The two mobile operators are Qtel and Vodafone. Prepaid phones are topped up with prepaid cards that can be purchased from hotels and stores. The international access code for Qatar is +974 and dialling abroad requires adding 00 before the dialling code.

Both dial-up and broadband internet access are available. There are a few internet cafes in Doha and a recent initiative by the government has seen the introduction of free wireless internet in designated areas, such as public parks and Souq Waqif.

ELECTRICITY: UK-style, three-pin plugs at 220-240 VAC are standard, but US and European two-pin plugs are also used, making adapters a must.

TRANSPORT: The bus network has expanded, but it is generally not used by Qataris or visitors. The most common form of public transport is taxi, with the cheapest option being Mowasalat’s silver and green cabs.

HEALTH: Foreigners can get emergency treatment in state hospitals for a nominal fee and there are also several private hospitals. A number of private practices will also provide services to travellers in need of assistance.