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Advice Appreciated!
Hi there
My husband and I are considering moving and working abroad, as we've decided that it's time for some new adventures and experiences! He is currently an assistant head in a secondary school (maths teacher by background), and I am a clinical lead for school aged speech and language therapy services. We are looking at UAE/Dubai/China areas for employment, but are open to other destinations. However, we wanted a little bit of information that we haven't yet come across elsewhere. I found this site and thought it would be a good place to start! 1. What would the typical working week look like in UAE/Dubai/China? Is it 9-5, Monday - Friday, or some variation on this? (I know Dubai weekends are Friday & Saturday) 2. Do school terms follow a similar pattern to that in the UK, e.g. 3 terms and a long break in the summer, or is it different? 3. Is there a "typical" amount of annual leave given to employees in these areas? 4. Do you have any information/guidance re. tax on wages & pension contributions, or know where to look for this information? 5. Is there an average salary for a speech & language therapist working in these countries? And are salary payments typically weekly/monthly? 6. What happens with regards to driving/getting a driving licence in UAE/Dubai/China? Is the UK licence transferable? 7. In terms of medical care, do these countries offer an NHS-type service, or more paid for, privatised care? Thank you in advance - and sorry for the essay!! Any form of guidance/advice/tips would be greatly appreciated Amy |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
Originally Posted by AmyW89
(Post 12395566)
4. Do you have any information/guidance re. tax on wages & pension contributions, or know where to look for this information? No income tax (or other deductions). HMRC have both increased the number and height of the hurdles you have to jump to be considered Non Resident. Guidance is available on their website, and third-party explanations abound via a Google search. 6. What happens with regards to driving/getting a driving licence in UAE/Dubai/China? Is the UK licence transferable? Your UK licence is transferable, relatively easy-peasy. Driving can be awe-inspiring, and not in a good way: aggressive, testosterone-fuelled, incompetent, selfish. It can also be very congested, so careful selection of where you live is important. If either you or your husband is a petrol-head (going from your professions I'd guess not, but we come in all shapes and sizes) and not an eco-warrior (probably more likely), then you'll be spoilt for choice. 7. In terms of medical care, do these countries offer an NHS-type service, or more paid for, privatised care? Employers are legally bound to provide medical insurance; the standard is generally very high provided you have a good provider. |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
See below.
Originally Posted by AmyW89
(Post 12395566)
1. What would the typical working week look like in UAE/Dubai/China? Is it 9-5, Monday - Friday, or some variation on this? (I know Dubai weekends are Friday & Saturday) UAE will be Sunday-Thursdays. School days start very early in UAE, around 7:30 AM, and finish around 2:30. Administrators, however, tend to work longer into the afternoon
2. Do school terms follow a similar pattern to that in the UK, e.g. 3 terms and a long break in the summer, or is it different? British schools do. 3. Is there a "typical" amount of annual leave given to employees in these areas? Most private sector jobs come with around 25 annual leave days (there are variations, 22 is the minimum, some get up to 30, some people get 30 days calendar leave, which translates into 22-25 working days etc 4. Do you have any information/guidance re. tax on wages & pension contributions, or know where to look for this information? No local income tax in UAE. Lots of hidden costs! You get gratuity upon leaving your job but it's piss poor 5. Is there an average salary for a speech & language therapist working in these countries? And are salary payments typically weekly/monthly? Salaries are monthly. Actual salaries I can't comment 6. What happens with regards to driving/getting a driving licence in UAE/Dubai/China? Is the UK licence transferable? Transfer UK licence into UAE licence within a few hours 7. In terms of medical care, do these countries offer an NHS-type service, or more paid for, privatised care? School will provide health care. Thank you in advance - and sorry for the essay!! Any form of guidance/advice/tips would be greatly appreciated Amy |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
You will be provisionally UK non resident and therefore income tax free once you leave the UK, however to be confirmed non-resident you need to either pass the Automatic Overseas Test or be deemed to have permanently left the UK. The former is the quickest route and can be achieved by working a full tax year overseas and limiting your days visiting or working in the UK. Easy enough to do, but can't be done before 6th April 2019 at the earliest.
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Re: Advice Appreciated!
I am curious about why you lump Dubai and China together. They may be both "abroad" but that is not one homogeneous place !
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Re: Advice Appreciated!
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12396843)
I am curious about why you lump Dubai and China together. They may be both "abroad" but that is not one homogeneous place !
And it makes perfect sense because outside the UAE China has to be the other huge market for British teachers due to the demand for English-speaking instruction and the explosion of English instruction international schools. |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
Perfect sense to some perhaps, but these are two totally different places, with different job markets. That applies to those in teaching as to those involved in providing any service.
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Re: Advice Appreciated!
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12400795)
Perfect sense to some perhaps, but these are two totally different places, with different job markets. That applies to those in teaching as to those involved in providing any service.
"...we've decided that it's time for some new adventures and experiences!" So why not Dubai or China, good to luck them I say. |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
It may be best to draw up a list
of Pros and Cons for each possible destination. How would a speech and language therapist function in an environment where (s)he does not speak the local language ? Perhaps in an international school ? How many international schools have a speech therapist on the payroll ? I see there are quite a few fora online where these issues are discussed by speech therapists. Interesting. |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12402170)
How many international schools have a speech therapist on the payroll ?
The UAE would have more, but still relatively few. Saudi - forget it. Not even Saudi Aramco schools cater for special needs... which is why their drivers bring them over to the aforementioned professional special needs school in Bahrain each day. |
Re: Advice Appreciated!
A speech therapist from the West Midlands. Heaven help those poor kids.
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Re: Advice Appreciated!
Only those who speak RP should be practitioners ? On yer bike pal !
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Re: Advice Appreciated!
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12400795)
Perfect sense to some perhaps, but these are two totally different places, with different job markets. That applies to those in teaching as to those involved in providing any service.
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