Job Discussion Forums

cafecafe · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20

Hi,
I am Norwegian and therefore I do not need a visa, my wife does, she is Thai. We were going to go together and stay with my sister and brother in-law in Abu Dhabi. My borther-in-law is a manager for some big company in Abu Dhabi. To cut a long story short, he was unsuccessful in obtaining a 2-week tourist visa for her even with a letter from her employer ( a European airline ) stating that she works for them full-time in Bangkok. My brother-in-law tells me that he simply can't get her a visa. Etihad airlines tells me that they could try by asking a hotel to sponsor her. The thing is, we don''t want to waste money on hotel accommodation, we simply want to stay with our family in Abu Dhabi. Has anyone been in a similar situation? any advice?
Thanks a lot!

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

This is a forum for English language teachers so visas etc. are usually dealt with by our employers. Have you tried the UAE embassy in Bangkok? If they can't advise you then no one can.

qas419 · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 32

Dear CafeCafe,
This forum is not meant to provide you with visa solutions. I advise your to join VirutalTourist or Tripadvisor. Both of them can easily find a remedy to your problem. Good luck

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I doubt many of the teachers here have had to deal with a problem like this. You seem to have tried all the right steps. Many years ago when visas were hard to get in all of these countries, the hotel route was everyone's only choice. I did that the first time I went to Oman, but I only had to pay for one night in the hotel - though I never saw the place since I stayed with friends. I suggest that you try the airline's offer or have your sister or brother-in-law call around to the smaller hotels to see if they can help.

Good Luck

VS

cafecafe · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20

Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond.

PS

I once was a university lecturer in Norway. I have therefore, every right to post my questions on THIS site.

peterpan13 · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 64 Location: neverneverland

Unfortunately the situation appears to be that the UAE like many Arab countries is rather discriminatory and doesn't look at people from many Asian countries as likely tourists with spending potential but rather as just mere workers or laborers which they have coming in all the time to perform the routine jobs.
The hotel situation might work with the visa - have you tried Emirates Airlines? They have their own hotel in Dubai and might help with a visa if you have a return ticket with them.You just might have to spend a night or two in Dubai seeing the sights!
I agree with other posters that this is an ESL forum but most of us are international travelers so we could perhaps try to help you from our own travel experiences although I'm not sure of the fact that you were a University lecturer is relevant in this situation. But I wish you luck and hope that you do have a satisfactory outcome to your problem.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

As well as many other contributers to this site, YOU have every right to post uptight and arrogant comments on THIS site. Welcome ! You will fit right in !

I thought they were just trying to be helpful in pointing out that we don't come here to visit, but to work and the visa situation is taken care of out of sight. Anyway, good luck !!

omanized, a rightful poster

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA