It was a major step forward to Doha when I received my contract on Sunday. Written in Arabic and English, side by side in two columns. I signed it with my scanned signature and emailed immediately.

A sentence at the foot of the contract tells me not to resign my current post until advised to do so… because my details are now with the Qatari government department that deals with visas.

I am told it can take up to four weeks for the visa process to be completed after which I have to give 2 months’ notice to quit… so all being well I should be out in Qatar by mid September or sooner.