Dh has interview for job in dubai.... questions?

[Starmummy]

Hi
DH has been approached out of the blue for a job he would really like.. in Dubai. Its fine by me, havent approached DS yet but what questions does he need to ask his would be employer?
Any ideas would be great, I'm so taken aback that I cant think.

thanks in advance

expat package?
holidays per yr (normal is 1 paid flight for family per yr back to home)
taxation
accomodation paid for?
medical insurance for whole family
company
ability to transfer back to UK (do they have international offices?)

Thanks Marz
DH is on his way home from work now to do telephone int. They called him yesterday and asked to interview asap so tonight it is. Gosh! I'm going out with the girls so will hear all about it when I get home. No doubt I shall have many more questions if we progress.

Good luck....
Oh...bonus...(sometimes standard in other countries)
Hope it goes well! What does he do?

agree with Marz, as part of an expat package look for the following :-

• structure of company and type of contract - fixed term or open ended (may affect any repatriation allowance made), local terms and conditions or Expat which may affect notice periods, future pay rises, bonusses,£ allowances towards the other things on the list below
• accommodation allowance for rent plus loan of any upfront costs such as deposit
• removal costs and /or an allowance to buy things locally, especially electricals
• private health insurance (inclusive of dental or not ?)
• funding of private education for your child(ren)
• taxation advice, as you may still be liable for UK and local tax(low in Dubai) work permit /visa costs
• funding of flights home
• although less applicable to Dubai, language lessons, and cultural integration courses.

Another one - will they fund a reconnaisance trip before he, and you, commit ?

oo good one CF. dh continued to pay NI while we were away he kept the company pension but think it got frozen for while as you cna only pay in for so long if Non Resident.

Thanx for all this advice, keep it comming. DH spoke tonight seems all went well. I have advised him of your comments and when he speaks again tomorrow morning I'll make sure he includes them.
He works in telecoms and it would be for a v large company. I used to teach IT but have given up to start university on 18th September . Ds is 10 going into year 6, I think he would benefit from the lifestyle. He is very sporty and loves to sail.
Have to agree I would really like to have a look befoe he commits.
I'll let you know what we decide.

Starmummy,I have a really good friend out in Dubai.She's been there about 4 yrs now and loves it.She does come back for the summer school holidays because of the heat though ,so you may like to ask how people cope with the extreme summers.Her children attend an international school.
I haven't been out to see her yet,so we're planning a visit on the october half term..can't wait!

Hi Starmummy, we live in dubai, there is a great website with lots of information on it for people who live here or are thinking of coming.
www.expatwoman.com

You can post questions about any queries you might have about Dubai.

there is one extra piece of advice I have for you the schools can get pretty full and there are generally waiting lists for them so it would be better if you can get your child(ren) name down ASAP even if you don't end up coming here.

If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to let me know. hth

Thnaks Inthepink

It would be great. I have been looking at areas. The job would be at Dubai Internet City. Looking at local areas I think they are The Meadows, The springs, Jumeirah Island, Emirate Hills,The Lakes and Al Barshaa. Is that right? How far are the distances? DS is 11 next week going into uk year 6. I quite liked the look of the Wellington although I know people have made various comments both good and bad. If at all possible I'd like to be somewhere with kids his age, lots of info seems available for younger children but not so much for slightly older ones. It seems that getting a place at this late stage would be a bit of a lottery rather than choice IYKWIM.
Any help you can offer would be fab.
Thanks

Springs and Meadows would be great areas for meeting other families with children but beware!! They are building a large access road right through the centre of both locations, this wasn't on the original plans for the area.
Jumeirah Islands, Emirates Hills are both nice areas but I believe they are quite expensive. Al barsha and the lakes are very nice but not sure of how much the rent/purchase price are.
Also another word of warning if you are going to rent, do your research!! Landlords are increasing the rent each year and since we have been here it has shot up an alarming 40% approx. My inlaws moved here in December last year and they are having to cover the shortfall in what their company have given them and what their actual rent is, try and get the company to pay your rent and utilities in the package.

do not know anything about the Wellington International school, our ds goes to DESS which we are very pleased with, it is one of the best in Dubai and also the oldest, JESS is one of the other older schools and one of the best. I think that whatever school you get into will be good, small class sizes and great teachers.
If your ds is into sport there is a huge range for him to do, our ds is starting after school football coaching, he has swimming lessons and will probably restart golf lessons once the weather starts to cool down because, yes, it is extremely hot at the moment but don't fear everywhere has a/c and you will need to bring a jacket/cardigan/pashmina cos it is freezing in the restaurants, shopping malls etc
A good book to buy is the Dubai Explorer, it gives you lots of information about what to do & where to go in Dubai. It also gives the history of Dubai and all about the government, my dh used to call it my bible as I was always reading it!!
Hth, any more questions just let me know I will be happy to help if I can.