nzwalkers

I would like to know, if anyone has any idea, how many expats working in UAE have left their wives and children back at home for whatever reason whilst they work there.
In my case, if negotiations conclude well, I would have a daughter at Uni and one with 18 months left at school, and v keen to finish at that school etc.ie neither would come to UAE.
My wife is v supportive of the idea of me working over in UAE with her staying behind initially to see my youngest thro school etc. They would then come over to UAE. This all sounds ok in theory but if anyone can give me feedback on how they handled a similar situation I'd be grateful.
We live in NZ which would not make it so easy to pop home for the weekend however regular visits both ways would have to be in the equation. My other question is-what are(if any) the 'statutory' holiday days in UAE and presumably they are on top of the 30 calender days leave normally offered.
Thanks in anticipation.
Neil

The Dean

Hi Neil,

I've been doing a similar thing for several years. It's not ideal but you tell yourself there's a good reason for it (in my case, a son at a very good UK boarding school, and a daughter about to go to a very good UK univ, so no reason to have them out here). And to be honest it's the tax-free income level that makes all that affordable.

I go home for most of the mid-term breaks and the family comes out for Christmas, Easter, etc.

The only thing (as you rightly say) that makes that harder for you and yours is the greater distance from UAE to NZ, compared to the UK (I'm actually in Saudi, not UAE).

If the job offer looks good (and you MUST get some info from colleagues on The Bored about costs of living etc), don't let the factors you mention be an obstacle.

Good luck............

nzwalkers

Thank you,
Regards
Neil

benzonar

I think a lot of the guys who find themselves in a similar situation tend to discover that the biggest headache about it all is where to hide the chinese girlfriend when the wife comes to visit.

The Dean

I may have set that one up - but YOU carried it out................ not my fault, not my fault.......