Advice for working off Doha

[marT350T]

I have an offer of a job working in Doha doing a 28 on 28 off rota on and offshore. The money is great but it will be paid in US Dollars. Most of my time off will be spent in the UK.

I have a couple of questions , What is the best type of bank account for me , think about coverting $ to £?
Can I gat any Tax breaks?

Thanks

[thb]

You'll be spending too much time in the UK a year to get any tax breaks, as far as I remember you can spend upto 120 days a year if you don't want to pay tax.

[rabailey]

Security off Dubai can be a real PIA and I understand that Qatar is the same.

No :
Smart phones
Phones with camera
Laptops with camera (or facility for camera)
USB's
portable drives
soap (only joking but you will wonder).
If you need a laptop for work it needs to be cleared and checked by security (not easy).

So playing chess will be about your only option.

[Mattt]

Most Qatari residents are indirectly paid in USD as the exchange rate is pegged, so I wouldn't worry about that.

The UK residence test is no longer as simple as <X no of days back = not resident, there are more grey aspects to it. If you were going back often for personal reasons then likely you'd be resident. A lot of guys go to Asia on their R&R as it's cheap and avoids UK tax. Bank account depends where you are being paid and tax situation!

As for security offshore, it's a silly situation whereby internet is allowed (better with VPN *cough*) but physical media is controlled on and off - it is allowed but gets checked by CNIA in my experience of a few years back. Laptops without cameras are ok, so gaming is allowed.

[marT350T]

I have been told that people use an umbrella company , but I will be employed on a staff basis. I thought these companies only deal with self employed people ?

[C997]

marT350T said:

I have an offer of a job working in Doha doing a 28 on 28 off rota on and offshore. The money is great but it will be paid in US Dollars. Most of my time off will be spent in the UK.

I have a couple of questions , What is the best type of bank account for me , think about coverting $ to £?
Can I gat any Tax breaks?

Thanks

Depending on who you work for and wha type of contract you're on will make a difference to your bank account issue. Most people offshore for the big Operators are what's called direct local hire and you'll usually get paid into a local bank. The QAR is pegged at 3.65 to the USD and you can transfer out of the country easily. Some of the Operators allow you to have your salary paid anywhere, I get paid in the uk but have been paid in the US as well. I also chose to have my allowances paid locally.

Gulf Helis are strict with security only related to phones and tablets. No phones at all and no cameras without a camera permit which you won't get easily. All laptops are fine, even with webcams. iPads are fine as long as you can prove the SIM card isn't in it by switching it on. Ipad minis can be an issue. Hard disks, iPods, etc are no problem. Don't try and sneak a phone, they'll find it and you won't get to fly.

There's no restriction on internet with the two Operators I'm familiar with and I don't think the other two oil producers are restricted. The gas producers won't be any different I don't think.

Don't turn up at the heliport smelling of booze, same as the North Sea. You will sweat your arse off for four to five months of the year. Accommodation is generally good and flying is almost all done in AW139s. I'll let you decide if that's good or bad!

All in all I much prefer it to the UK and if you can manage your tax situation then it's well worth it. Pm me if you have more specific questions, I've been doing it for 8 years so can also tell you bit about the Operators if you want.

Cheers.

[marT350T]

Cheers C997, We are just try to work out Ts&Cs at the moments so If it comes off I shall dropo you a pm to discuss