Myself and my husband will be relocating to Dubai in Dec, 2006, and we have a few questions, anyone who can give us any info please do. Thanks

* What do we have to do regarding Visas?
* Can my husband drive on his UK license?
* Do we need visas before we can work?
* Are there a lot of recruitment agencies?
* How easy will it be to rent / buy a property?
* Is it easy to open a Dubai bank account? Can we do it from the UK before we go?
* Do we need sponsorship? and if so can my in-laws who live in Dubai sponsor us?

I realize it?s a lot, but we would be grateful for any help.

Thank
Lorenzo

Hi,

My husband and I did the same thing about 4 months ago. We left the UK for sunny Dubai and totally relocated although we didn?t sell our property in London. Dubai is very different to the UK in a lot of ways and I suppose it is about dealing with all the changes as smoothly as possible. In terms of work it is very different here. You need to get a labour card to work - even if you have a residence visa you will still have to sort out a work permit I think. When you get your residency which I think you will get as your In laws will be sponsoring you it does not automatically give you the freedom to work, however it makes it easier. Things on the job front are also slow. Don?t expect things to move fast however if you have contacts then you might get sorted out quicker. Things are a bit slower out here and salaries are also a lot lower than the UK, however this is aligned with cost of living etc.

You can sort out your driving license in a day to get your UAE license. Once you have the stamp in your passport as a resident of the UAE apparently you are no longer allowed to drive on your UK license. Please note that the form to get a UAE license has to be filled in Arabic and you have to get an eye test done. When my husband did his license he had to go to a translator for the form then get an eye test at an opticians etc. When I got mine done I went to Bur Dubai traffic department on the Shaikh Zayed rd and they did everything in 1 hour. I went really early and luckily I knew someone who worked there who kindly helped us but we had to pay him a little extra for his services - but it was well worth it.

Anyway I hope this has been of use to you. Email me if you have any other questions particularly around recruitment as I work in that sector. Cheers
Thanks
Nelson