Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

A friend would like to know where she stands as a spouse entering the Gulf with a criminal record. She won't be the one working, and wants to know if she'll get rejected, and if simply applying will put her husband on a blacklist?

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

She'll be chained to the ceiling, they'll put a gimp mask on and then lash her for being a naughty girl.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Depends on the country, I'd've thought. To the best of my knowledge there are no background checks done in the UAE, but things might be more stringent somewhere like Saudi. Perhaps not, though, since they welcomed Idi Amin in his final years.

We used to know someone who originally applied for Australian residency, but failed the background checks, so he tried Dubai instead and was let in without question.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Saudi is first point of call. Hubby has to have a 'criminal records' check. Strange it used that term, rather than 'CRB check', that great monstrosity. There's a bit of a blur apparently, I'm going to have to ask her to clarify what she's been told by 'probation staff' about "travel in the EU isn't an issue, but living somewhere she has to ask both countries" (she's on license...?) When that came up, I'm starting to think they may cringe and back off fast like a kid facing broccoli on the dinner table.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

If the Home Office requires her to explain her situation to the Saudi authorities and get their permission, then I wouldn't bet on her being allowed in. Is there any way she can talk to an experienced immigration lawyer in Saudi before applying?

Unfortuately, being obliged to reveal her criminal record and obtain permission from any country she wishes to move to may screw up her chances of getting in *anywhere*, including the UAE, where it's very much a case of "don't ask, don't tell". Although, maybe not. It may depend on what she was convicted of, it may depend simply on the mood of the immigration official who's making the decision on her case that day. Again, a local immigration lawyer would be the best person to ask.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

I think he's going to need a new career, a new wife, or she stays back home and only sees her 4 weeks a year. The conviction is a domestic violence, self defence one where the other party didn't survive the ride in the ambulance

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

She killed someone? :huh:

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

I used to pay for that :rofl:

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Or maybe the ambulance ploughed into a train at a level crossing.;)

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Yeah, it appears even those untrained in the dark arts can be a lucky beginner and hit an artery .

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

And he still wants to be with her? :ohmy:

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Well, once someone is rehabilitated we do tend to give them a second chance, do we not?

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

My missus is in HR and they don't ask if the spouse has a criminal record and doesn't think they can find out. However if he didn't mention it and it came out it might not be so bad.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

If she is on license she would need permission (I think from the Parole Board) to leave the country - there may also be other conditions on the license. Not as simple as just supplying a conviction history I'm afraid.

Re: Spouses criminal records and residency?
 

Sounds like she has got that, but that's only half the action necessary. Places like Canada won't let Americans in apparently if they've been busted for weed or got a DUI, and they aren't exactly major crimes. Working in the EU is now being looked at, where countries are, well not more liberal, but have signed up to agreements.