Can anyone provide information regarding expat women in dubai. What challenges have you come across (ex. any problems getting a bank account etc.). Do most employers help with moving to the UAE? Would you recommend going through an employer for information and help when moving to the UAE or find housing etc yourself?
1
seetee
I lived in Dubai for a year and this is my experience (I'm male, but hearing from female coworkers, it's the same treatment).
Bank account:
You need to get a non objection letter and a salary certificate from your company to open a bank account. Make sure you sign up for internet banking, since the service is very bad in Dubai. Also make sure you get your cheque book as soon as possible, because you need checks for a lot of things (deposits, rents, loans etc)
Getting loans:
This can also be a big challenge. 2 banks rejected my application, because my company was not listed with them... Also here, you need a non objection letter and salary certificate from your company and also your bank statement for the last 3 months. You would need to give them all the checks for the loan in advance, predated. (3 years loan = 36 cheques to write and sign)
Moving:
My company paid the move for me. So, this is not a big issue normally. I just gave some quotes from moving companies and they chose one that I could use and that they pay for.
Housing:
Housing is very expensive. Most companies give a housing allowance. For finding apartments, I recommend Gulfnews. I found my apartment in the online edition Gulf News. Make sure, and this is an absolute must, you go and see the apartment! No matter where it is located!
As for company help. I'm not sure whether they do that. In case they are renting some by themselves, they might have some contacts. But I think you'd be better off by yourself.
Sharing is not allowed but mostly tolerated. Don't move into a villa, because there were some police raids and people were put on the street (with a 1 month notice)
Hope it helps
2
stacih143
Emirates bank has an account option (I read about it in Dubai Explorer and opened one myself) for people without residency visas. All you need is a passport. I'm going to switch to a regular one once I'm all settled, but this is a good option if you want a local account and don't have all your papers in order yet. You can wire money in, get an ATM card...
You can only have an account in AED and can't get checks, just the Debit card and you get charged for every transaction done in person, but for a short term if you need a local account, it works. It is called the meAccount I think. You open online but do have to go to a local office to show your passport and receive you debit card.
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