1

Sorry, but in my opinion this isn't going to work. Loads of unmarried couples DO live here together but no school worth its salt is going to let you do so because it is illegal. How long do you think having him live with you on the sly is going to work? Sometimes teachers' accomm is on site, or a whole building full of teachers from your school. Any repairs etc will probably be done by school maintenance staff. Sneaking your boyfriend in and out every day is really not viable and personally I would say not worth the risk.
So, either you get the bit of paper, or he needs to find a job which provides his own accommodation, then sneaking in and out becomes much less of an issue.

2

I largely agree with veralynn. It's not practical (or legal) to have your boyfriend living with you permanently in company/school provided accommodation. When you apply for the job, they will ask if you are single or married and allocate accommodation accordingly. Also, many schools prefer teachers to be single as it costs them less.

However, other than getting married or him getting his own place, there may be another option; ask the school if they will give you an accommodation allowance so that you can find your own place. In your own place, it's easier for your boyfriend to live there, although still not legal. In my experience here, co-habitation only works short term and ultimately people get married because it makes life a lot easier.

There is also the issue of visas for your boyfriend and whether he intends to work. If you are married then the visa provided by the school will also entitle your spouse to reside and work in the country. But If he comes to the UAE as your boyfriend, he will be on a tourist visa, meaning he will have to do a visa run every few weeks. The only solution to that is for him to find a job where the employer will provide the residence visa. He also won't be able to rent an apartment or open a bank account without a residence visa.

Frankly, as an unmarried couple not willing to get married, you are better off not coming to the Gulf.

Edited by: dxb1969

3

even if you do get married, i don't think a working married woman cannot sponsor her husband for a dependent visa
he has to be working and get his on work visa
he could come on a tourist visa though but they can't be extended forever

4

I work (female) and sponsor my husband. Plenty of my (female, expat) colleagues do the same. It's becoming more normal and acceptable. Raises more eyebrows with the school yummy mummys than the immigration authorities nowadays.

Do a very quiet civil marriage for the paperwork, and a church marriage for the "proper"ness (although presumably you're having sex whilst living together, so I struggle that it is really "proper", but I do understand it would be a big family thing).

5

A forged marriage certificate is risky and may trip you up - I am fairly sure that the certificate needs to be attested by your embassy and possibly one or two other authorities either during or soon after the residency process. I would not screw the authorities around with fake documents as in this part of the world, they can be very harsh.

6

LtWharf - working married women CAN sponsor their husbands in the UAE, as long as they meet the minimum salary (which I believe is something paltry like AED4k a month).
Aine, of course marriage is more than a piece of paper, but it's the piece of paper that you need. If you came here with forged paperwork wouldn't it always be in the back of your mind that you could get found out and deported (possibly imprisoned first) at any point?

7

You all make very fair points and I no know the risk involved.
We feel, way too young to be getting married even if it is just a piece a paper. I think it would go against both of our idea's about marriage. Growing up in catholic Ireland, makes sure about this:)
We also don't mind living in in different houses, its just the issue of money and saving. I have heard that rent is pretty high in Dubai and if we are paying for 2 places it might defeat our purposes of going over there to save in the first place. It make be back to the drawing board........

8

If you want to check the cost of renting a property in Dubai or Abu dhabi, go to www.dubizzle.com

Property is generally cheaper in Dubai than abu dhabi, but it varies a lot depending on area.

9

I think it would go against both of our idea's about marriage. Growing up in catholic Ireland, makes sure about this:)

I can understand that, but think of what else goes against your religious background that you do or support in principle. Sex before marriage? Abortion?

Bottom line is that you have to be true to yourselves. Sounds trite, but is a good way to live. If you cannot get a piece of paper to say that you are married because it goes against your beliefs then you have to accommodate that without that piece of paper you are going against the beliefs of where you want to live & work. If you cannot in your hearts accommodate that, then you have to rethink.

10

Yeah you maybe right, cheers!! Life was so much easier being single!!! Not having to think about someone else ;)
Its not a belief as such. when I mentioned catholic Ireland, it was a criticism of that system more than anything. We are not religious in any sense, in fact I have no desire to get married at all. However our backgrounds, family etc are very rooted in catholic Ireland and we respect our families.
Anyway thanks for all the advice. Could anyone suggest anywhere else they have taught/ worked in their experience that was good for money and lifestyle?? Obviously without such hash laws etc?
Aine

11

Sorry, but I don't think it is harsh to require people who want to live together to be married, and prove they are. If you enter the UK or Ireland as immigrants you need to prove you are married if you come as a couple.

12

NO its the same as in Australia and New Zealand, you have to prove that you are in a genuine, commited and loving relationship (which we've had to do many times) but that doesn't involve marriage, and this is the fairest way to do it so as not to discriminate against same-sex couples too.

I understand that different countries have different rules, I just don't agree with them and I have to decide if I want to live in a place and follow such rules/laws.

Anyway its away from the topic a bit. I've gotten lots of advice and I seem to better understand the situation there so thanks :)

If anyone can suggest any other really nice places to live and work, fire away :)
Cheers
Aine

13

you could try Singapore or Hong Kong for teaching - or other expat locations in Asia - they are unlikely to have such draconian rules around unmarried couples, although whether they will provide your boyfriend with a visa giving him the right to work is a question you would need to ask.

14

stuff it. was going to reply about SEAsia and the ridiculousness of saying Singapore and HK don't have draconian laws, but... stuff it.