Two Questions on Dubai

[Peanutbutteryday]

Sorry if this has been done to death I’ve had a busy day and not been on mumsnet. Also sorry for just focusing on Dubai in my post. It goes without saying that I feel for everyone involved in all countries including Iran

1. I feel like the UK media is light on Dubai coverage given the number of British nationals there. Why? Is the Dubai media not releasing info? or am I just missing seeing coverage

2. I know we don’t have a crystal ball but do we think there could be a mass exodus of Brit’s living there? Or a huge change in the number of people wanting to move there?

However, I reserve the right to make snarky comments to anyone who previously boasted about leaving the UK because they didn't want their taxes funding other people's lifestyles.

It would be embarrassing if it emerged that it was only money that gave people thick skins.

If you have bought property in Dubai, you may well find you are screwed unless you can afford to take a hit on the value of the property.

You also face the prospect of potentially trying to move back to the UK at the same time as a lot of other people in a similar position all chasing houses in desirable areas. Which will push up prices in some of those places. So screwed again.

That's of course if your job is portable. If it's not, you are stuck there until you can find a job back in the UK (good luck) or can afford to return without a job.

If you've got kids, well you are going to be scrambling around trying to find a decent school. I guess it might help a few private schools survive though.

There's also people who have visa issues relating to partners who are stuck.

There's going to be a lot of stuck people who can't just leave.

Yes I should have said that was UAE long term strategy not Dubai alone.

i have read this also and that a law was put in place in 2021

Speaking as someone who lives in the UAE, I don’t think there will be a mass exodus of Brits. I’ve certainly got no plans to go anywhere.

MN opinions on the country are often wildly out of line with the reality of what it’s actually like and this is no exception.

I DO think that the huge influx of Brits to the country will slow down for a while, due to what is happening.

I wonder if people in Dubai are able to speak freely? I imagine they’re “encouraged “ to not post negatively on social

Agree this is how I see it potentially panning out.

There is very little alternative to uae living in terms of weather, jobs, modern, proximity to uk (ie closer than Singapore). No alternative in Europe for certain and uae appears more favourable than other Middle East destinations with stricter rules.

I know - I was surprised too that Dubai was still such a backwater @domenica1 It was only a few years ago as well. I wonder if it's industry dependant as you keep referencing doctors and I work in marketing and I can assure you that my experience in Dubai was seen as completely irrelevant / outdated when I left the region

You also can't leave until you have cleared any debt and a lot of people run up a lot of debt living the Dubai dream!

This is true.

What, all the bankers, lawyers, accountants, actuaries, doctors, nurses and teachers? Those people?

My post is not about doctors, although I did mention I know a few who go on holiday to Dubai (in relation to the claim everyone who goes is ignorant and stupid).
it doesn’t surprise me if you build a professional services practice in one market your experience doesn’t always translate to a different place with a different culture (not to mention leaving your client base behind), hence I was saying I know many people who have stayed, built a business and been successful. They are anything but second rate. But I have no idea about marketing

I honestly think Dubai will be ok. Iran must be on its arse to be attacking Dubai airport in lieu of actually properly defending itself - ok temporarily hugely disruptive and expensive but to who? Molly Mae? (Ok that was a bit facetious but still! They aren’t going to win WW3 by bombing the fairmont on the palm, are they?)

I got a notification saying some emirates flights are already back up and running. I’m not a Dubai hater OR a Dubai lover (it is so not my scene and I understand the criticisms but I have visited). It was, on the surface of things, very safe until literally yesterday and I have friends from all over the world living there (my industry pays very well there and ex colleagues from counties like Pakistan who I’ve met in London have moved there for jobs which are slightly closer to home). Wishing them all safety and peace.

As a woman Ive never felt so safe as I did in Dubai . Follow their laws and show respect is all it takes

I thought you’d have to pay for NHS treatment if you’d been out of the U.K. for 3months! Being resident in the U.K. is the criteria for free treatment.

We have three friends out there. One there 25 years, married with kids - feeling safe, no plans to come back. Another there around five years, also married, kids quite young, also no plans to come back. The third is there for work for a few weeks, also feels safe - has seen air defences working well. None of our friends are criminals or influencers 🙄

Some hilarious and ignorant comments on this thread, or maybe just jealousy. Influencers aside, the average expat living in Dubai is undoubtedly better informed of world affairs than the average Brit who’s never lived outside the UK. I don’t and never have lived in the Middle East btw although have many friends and colleagues who have. And no, I don’t think there will be a mass exodus after this.

It can be up to five years which is remarkably generous. Quote from "Entitlement to NHS Hospital Treatment for Non-Resident UK Citizens"

• The NHS does not normally provide free hospital treatment for
people who do not reside in the UK even if they are UK nationals
• If you have lived outside the UK for more than 3 months
(6 months for some pensioners) in the last year you can be charged
• You will be exempt from charges if you can produce evidence that
you have been working abroad for less than 5 years and have lived
in the UK continuously for at least 10 years at some point

I looked it up because I went to hospital (walk in AandE) in England after about 18 months living abroad and was told I qualified for free NHS treatment still. I wanted to check I hadn't inadvertently scammed the system.

Someone said Iran was targeting US military bases in the Gulf. Most are a distance from Cities.
There was an important race meeting there and British & Irish jockeys and trainers are marooned there with everyone else.

Can you quote your source for this please?

out of interest how would they know or do they check the system during appointments or after? Or rely on you telling them? I didn’t even know this was a rule

They say you need to bring proof. It I didn't (I was all ready to hand over my insurance details) but the nurse/receptionist was quite blase and just said if you have been out of the country for less than 5 years but you lived there before your whole life it's fine (makes sense it's 10 years). I didn't need further treatment beyond AandE though anyway. So maybe they would have asked for proof if id needed further care. But I remembered she'd told me that.

I do think the NHS has historically been quite bad at taking payment from people who should pay because they aren't set up for it as much so I ve heard from people who tried to ask about payment but got a blank look (its not a case of foreigners deliberately scamming). I think they got better at that now though.

Well re teachers...you can stay in the UK and see that happening! Tbf I don't blame them...I managed 21 years but should have walked sooner. I'd advise any young teacher to get out.

I have to agree. I expect a lot of people commenting have never left the town they grew up in. As for the comments about tax, I’ve paid a lot of tax in the UK in my lifetime and probably paid more in than I’ve ever got out. Some empathy wouldn’t go amiss rather than insults, but that says more about the people commenting.

They’re not quitting teaching, they’re just quitting teaching in the UAE, though.