Job Discussion Forums

[nielsen]

Just a little knowledge please..and please...I'd like to hear from somebody who actually has his feet on the ground in Abu Dhabi.

I have just accepted a job with the UAE Military....I'll be moving there in January.

My question is this...My partner will be joining me and needs some kind of work. He has a few years of EFL experience in Japan and a CELTA cert.
He'll be working on his Ph'd dissertation for the most part..and just needs a part-time job to get some kind of legal status.
I have a decent job and a furnished apartment...so it's not a question of money or anything ..it's just a visa issue.
He's a Danish citizen with an MA (Manchester U.) in Art History.

Any thoughts, advice would be much appreciated...I worked in the Emirates years ago..and I realize things have changed there since the "90's...a lot!

So, I'd love to hear from some people living and working in the UAE... now 2011. I know you're out there!

thanks;
Niel

[Sleepwalker]

Be careful - you would be unwise to move him into your apartment unless you're married. You never know who's watching and reporting.

If you are married, then you can sponsor him.

[veiledsentiments]

I'm suspecting same sex couple here, and the Gulf doesn't recognize same-sex marriages.

VS

[helenl]

Also, homosexuality is a crime in most Muslim, including UAE, countries. That's not to say it isn't happening but it is punishable under the law.

[spiral78]

Would two men rooming together be considered automatically dodgy there? Our Saudi students in the Netherlands roomed together without apparent shame.....

Obviously I mean so long as no-one makes it clear that they are a couple.

[It's Scary!]

[veiledsentiments]

It is all about being very discreet, and taking care to make no enemies of neighbors and work mates.

VS

[Shimokitazawa]

There are a lot of homosexuals working in TEFL, particularly the British Counsel. So, I would infer then that there are homosexual men working int he UAE, also. So I suppose people are doing it.

I also agree that it might be tricky and for sure you would not want to make any enemies at work or in the neighborhood. Because once they put two and two together and have some reason to report you, that may cause you serious grief.

Frankly, going to that part of the world with that kind of lifestyle isn't the wisest decision.

[Badar Bin Bada Boom]

What two Saudi students do in the Netherlands is totally irrelevant. If you have a same-sex "partner" in the UAE then you need to live in separate apartment buildings / villas and just visit each other. Forget about living together. Obviously it's best if both people have jobs in the country.

[spiral78]