Husband wants to move to dubai

[Dilemma87]

My husband is a businessman in property and with the recent proposed tax changes and new rules putting limits on how long he can keep doing things from the UK, he’s now saying he needs to move to Dubai and operate from there.

We actually have some friends there, and his business partner is already based out there, so on paper it all sounds easy enough. His plan is to buy a second property in Dubai and move there by himself, while I stay here with the kids.

The problem is, the children are really settled one’s in high school and the other is due to start soon, so moving them just isn’t an option. He’s suggested that we (me and the kids) fly out to Dubai every school holiday to spend time with him.

The catch is, under his visa he can only be out of Dubai for 90 days a year, so he’d basically have to live there full-time.

AIBU to think this is just not going to work long-term? I can’t help but feel like this is the start of living completely separate lives.

'Don't see the problem'? 🤣 Here you go :

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studies/united-arab-emirates/&ved=2ahUKEwjyrcfg7uiQAxW9XUEAHY4xFhoQFnoECA0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ugMzCN4Q70Bpz8xuO6kAA

https://www.freedomunited.org/news/dubais-expo-worker-abuses/

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/gulf-hrw-report-on-the-impact-of-extreme-temperatures-and-the-failure-of-midday-work-bans-to-protect-migrant-workers/#:~:text=Another%20study%2C%20in%20Kuwait%2C%20found,not%20provide%20substantive%20responses...

https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/united-arab-emirates/#:~:text=The%20government%20investigated%20at%20least,in%20the%20previous%20reporting%20period.

Not a government policy, no. However, there seems to be effectively no official attempts to protect these women, who are exploited by elite men.

On that score, I know that UK is arguably in a similar position with the official cover ups of the grooming gangs, Epstein ring and Lord Mountbatten's ring.

Realities? I agree expats mostly have a nice life, probably. Surely, however, you don't deny that the country as a whole is immoral by several counts?

Facilitating ongoing Sudan genocide, porta potties, migrant slave labour, princesses held captive by the ruling family, gay sex and adultery illegal, flogging on the cards for breaking the alcohol laws,...the list goes on..

Honestly was not aware of this - hence my question. I don't know much about living in Dubai so never researched this. We moved to Asia earlier this year and hence assumed it was same working conditions as domestic workers here. Good to know the difference!

But surely he is doing it to make tons of money which, ultimately, the children will benefit from.

As a mother, i couldn't do it to my kids.

And if i was a kid with a dad who already has money, I'd rather have my dad.

I'd hate to think dad had enough money to look after me and still opted to move away to pursue more money. Giving up being there for sports day, family dinners, just knowing him in the way you do someone you live with full time. It also assumes as kids grow up they want to give up all their downtime to fly out and see dad, when most kids with parents together get to see them all the time and use that time for hobbies and friends and parents support that with lifts. It's parenting and it's what makes a family.

this just popped up in my newsfeed - ‘Forget Dubai - Britons are moving here to cut tax bills instead ‘ : https://apple.news/AL_vUuoF-Ta2aRYN5hHCZ8w

Malta?

its behind a paywall so guessing here

yes, good guess!

I miss the EU.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/10/is-malta-new-dubai-why-uk-migrants-flocking-to-small-island-nation

God me too. Every day.

They’re clearly already well off so no worries about the children not having enough. They’ll benefit a lot more from a father who’s around for them in childhood than “tons of money” later. Money isn’t everything.

Perhaps they can change schools and move?

Op has already said they can’t. Again, why negatively affect the kids’ stable lives for more money that isn’t actually needed.

Maybe in a few school years. The UK is a sinking ship.

In your opinion. You’ve now gone off on a tangent from what I originally replied to which was that “tons of money” would benefit the kids, when actually having their dad around is more beneficial when there is already plenty of money.

The migrant workers that work in construction are treated like slave labour with no employment or other rights, extremely low pay and no health and safety rules. Many die working there.

Stable lives here in the UK with the dangers every kid faces now when they step out the door? Whereas they could be going to a private school getting great IGCSE or IB results living in a climate where you can play sports and have an outdoorsy life. Yes there are dangers in Dubai from locals who like to taunt ex pat youngsters and they do have to be aware of the laws - not a bad thing.

Stable lives here in the UK with the dangers every kid faces now when they step out the door?

what do you perceive to be the biggest danger to teenagers in the Uk and why do you think that isn't present in UAE?

I'm not naive enough to believe that every kid in the UK experiences these things. Not everyone works a 9-5 job.

Currently the dangers of being involved in a confrontation with someone who has no regard for other people - can be in various forms. I have lived in both places.

“living in a climate where you can play sports and have an outdoorsy life”

playing sports in 40 degree heat? Ok then.

Basically there are the people who will never leave the uk except for holidays and there are the ones who will do seeking a better life for themself. It's always been this way. No place is perfect and the Uk certainly isn't. You can make the choice and each party will feel it is the right choice for them and will quote to that effect. Of course financial gain is part of the goal - there are few people who would live in restricted conditions without that. Staying in the UK doesn't make you a better person.

Yes it's done.