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Living overseas

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Original poster

Move to Dubai or not?

35 replies

Dorisbonson · 03/07/2022 11:09

I'm dad of an 8 year old who plays an active role in my child's upbringing with my ex partner.

I have a potential job in Dubai that would pay me 50% more than I currently get paid in the UK. I already have a very good job here, though my company will lay people off later this year - if that happens I won't walk into another job straight away but would get 3-4 month salary pay off and am confident I would get another one soon. My son is at a good school and seems very happy.

I get on well with my ex and she is open to moving to Dubai with my son if she also got a job which made sense for her career.

If I went alone I think I could save about £100k a year living there (I've checked costs out there) and let my house out here. I would go for 3-4 years? If they came too, then we could collectively save more a lot more and let her house out too.

Should I take the job even if it is without them and they don't move there? I love my son a lot and worry I would miss him if he wasn't there but equally the salary there is huge and tax free.

OP posts:
JellyBellyNelly · 03/07/2022 19:12

Mellie555 · 03/07/2022 18:18

My brother lived there for years unmarried to his now wife. Nobody ever batted an eyelid. They even bought a home out there together when still unmarried. It’s not a big deal out there anymore. However, if not married then both parties need to be working out there otherwise it’s a max 3 month stay at a time for the person without a job

Show quote history

Anyone can buy a property with someone they’re not related to.

Do people live together? Yes. They do. And it’s generally ok till they get caught and they find out it still very much is a big deal.

Mellowyellow222 · 03/07/2022 19:19

SausagePourHomme · 03/07/2022 18:24

safe unless a crime is committed against you as a woman and you are the one convicted.

Or you become pregnant. Then you need to leave the country quickly.

If you are raped it will your fault.

OP make sure your ex wife is aware of the downside of this move.

IfIhearmumagaintoday · 03/07/2022 19:58

Why would you want to live with your ex wife? This is a bit extreme there's no chance that I would go along with that idea and it's not fair on your child.

Jconnais1chansonquivavsenerver · 03/07/2022 20:20

Nahnanananahna · 03/07/2022 17:56

You don't have to show proof of residence to get a work visa, if that's the question (how would that be possible - you can't be resident without the visa,!). You have to show proof of residence to get an ejari. You also have to show the ejari to sponsor family but OP won't be sponsoring his ex as he can't.

Yes, of course, I was thinking of sponsorship by a spouse. Though I seem to remember flat sharers having problems when only one name was on the Ejari and someone living at the same address needed proof of residence when changing jobs. Or when opening a bank account or getting a phone contract.

Nahnanananahna · 04/07/2022 02:50

You don't need an ejari to open a bank account, to change jobs or to get a mobile contract. You may need one for internet/landline - I can't remember but then that would be in the name of the person on the lease anyway. I've never heard of it being an issue except for people looking to sponsor family, and then the main issue is people living in illegal partitions, not genuine flat shares.

OP just ignore everyone who keeps talking about outdated laws that no longer exist - UAE has changed its approach, but people refuse to accept this.

Nahnanananahna · 04/07/2022 02:51

Or are you talking UK banks for KYC? Yes that can be an issue but there are well developed ways to manage it now.

Jconnais1chansonquivavsenerver · 04/07/2022 06:47

Nahnanananahna · 04/07/2022 02:50

You don't need an ejari to open a bank account, to change jobs or to get a mobile contract. You may need one for internet/landline - I can't remember but then that would be in the name of the person on the lease anyway. I've never heard of it being an issue except for people looking to sponsor family, and then the main issue is people living in illegal partitions, not genuine flat shares.

OP just ignore everyone who keeps talking about outdated laws that no longer exist - UAE has changed its approach, but people refuse to accept this.

I'm happy to read this, and bow to your superior knowledge, though am amazed at how quickly things seem to have changed in the 2 years since I left Dubai. I still get payment demands from Etisalat for a number I stopped using in October 2020 and which I can't access online because the account is closed.

Thereisnolight · 04/07/2022 09:32

Dorisbonson · 03/07/2022 13:15

How old were you when he worked away? How often did you see him when he worked away?

Only for 18 months. Then we moved to be with him. Perhaps a few years might have been different.

Nahnanananahna · 04/07/2022 12:53

Jconnais1chansonquivavsenerver · 04/07/2022 06:47

I'm happy to read this, and bow to your superior knowledge, though am amazed at how quickly things seem to have changed in the 2 years since I left Dubai. I still get payment demands from Etisalat for a number I stopped using in October 2020 and which I can't access online because the account is closed.

Show quote history

The legal changes have been massive - unmarried sex now legal, you can give birth unmarried and have the birth registered and cross dressing is legal (unless being used to access female only spaces).

I've only been in Dubai itself for a year, and haven't tried to do anything without an ejari here, but I certainly opened bank accounts and mobile contracts with just my ID card in AD. I think my friend did the same in Dubai as much as 6 years ago (and she wasn't husband sponsored).

When 'computer says no' at Etisalat on the other hand, you get stuck in a loop! 🤣

sleepymum50 · 04/07/2022 13:15

I lived for a couple of years in Dubai. It’s very much the expat lifestyle. But don’t under estimate the heat.

I really suggest you all go out there for a holiday. It can be a marmite place.

it felt like being permanently on holiday. It’s a very consumerist lifestyle and I was glad to move back home. I also think their human rights are questionable.

I also know some people get so used to the high standard of living, they never want to give it up, and stay on for another year, then another. Look up expat forums and find out as much as you can.

They really don’t like sex outside marriage and there can be serious consequences.

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