What are the pros and cons of getting residency as non-working spouse | ExpatWoman.com
 

What are the pros and cons of getting residency as non-working spouse

154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2016 - 12:33

Ladies!

I'm curious of the pros and cons of getting residency. I had residency years back but after a recent relocation back to sunny Dubai last month, I am left wondering if I should bother with residency.My spouse is the one working with residency.

So...all of you Dubai experts...can you tell me what I have to gain or lose?

1) I know a visa run costs about 85aed and a 2-3 hour trip. We have a vehicle so no bother with hiring a company. Can get travel insurance for medical while I am here...which is not costly.

2) On the other hand it is about 1,100aed to move my status over in-country to residency, plus around 300aed for the Emirates ID plus having to get medical insurance (usually paid upfront for entire year)

What other possible benefits would there be to getting residency? Any benefits to being a "tourist?"

Thanks!!

379
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 September 2016 - 12:51
As a tourist you can't legally drive a privately owned vehicle, I'm not sure how you get a sim card for your phone, as already said, visa runs are a legal grey area and the rules can change overnight, not sure how easy it would be to use travel insurance for routine gp visits, you won't be able to get an alcohol licence so legally can only drink in hotels, if your husband has housing in his package it may affect his allowance if he is officially living here alone (though he may be entitled to more flights home !! lol).. I'm sure there are lots of minor things we take for granted having an ID - resident discounts etc, but I can't imagine any benefit associated with being on a tourist visa and can't really imagine why anyone would want to do so... I was not aware that you can't drive a private vehicle as a tourist. I wonder why that is? Again, I still have my UAE driving license from my previous residency which is valid for 10 years. RTA told me it doesn't cancel but then again, you know how the laws always change! As far as the other things though like housing allowance, etc (Loads of things I didn't think about!) Thank you :) Your driving licence is only valid as a resident, you stopped being entitled to use it and drive a private car as soon as your visa was cancelled regardless of what date it states. Insurance companies will only insure residents to drive. I have called the RTA. I was told that the UAE driving license is valid for the duration of its issue regardless of visa status (cacelled, etc.). Then again, we know how the "rules" change depending on who answers the phone! This person also said a "first degree relative" can drive a personal vehicle on a visit visa and with a foreign driving license. Not only a hire car. That once you have residency however you must move to the UAE license to drive. So it does seem that I could drive my husband's car on my foreign license and on a visit visa even though we are currently using a hire car. LL I fully understand where you are coming from but I strongly recommend that you double check with the car insurance company. I'd worry that if you had an accident you may not get charged with not having a licence but could be charged for driving without insurance. That's without even considering the financial problems. Our insurance company (one of the main large insurance companies) very firmly informed us that our "first degree relative" (daughter) could not drive our car as I quoted previously.
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2016 - 12:33
I was about to say the same as Dally. You might physically still have a driving licence but it technically won't be valid as you're no longer a resident. You can be sure the insurance company won't pay out if, God forbid, you have an accident. If I were you, I'd stop driving til you get your visa sorted, or at least get a hire car instead so you're 100% legal. I am driving a hire car right now using my foreign license. I have my UAE license but am not using it to drive. I also called the RTA and they said the UAE license doesn't expire when the visa is cancelled. Here is an article I found on it: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/transport/driving-licence-valid-after-visa-cancellation-1.46179
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2016 - 12:29
As a tourist you can't legally drive a privately owned vehicle, I'm not sure how you get a sim card for your phone, as already said, visa runs are a legal grey area and the rules can change overnight, not sure how easy it would be to use travel insurance for routine gp visits, you won't be able to get an alcohol licence so legally can only drink in hotels, if your husband has housing in his package it may affect his allowance if he is officially living here alone (though he may be entitled to more flights home !! lol).. I'm sure there are lots of minor things we take for granted having an ID - resident discounts etc, but I can't imagine any benefit associated with being on a tourist visa and can't really imagine why anyone would want to do so... I was not aware that you can't drive a private vehicle as a tourist. I wonder why that is? Again, I still have my UAE driving license from my previous residency which is valid for 10 years. RTA told me it doesn't cancel but then again, you know how the laws always change! As far as the other things though like housing allowance, etc (Loads of things I didn't think about!) Thank you :) Your driving licence is only valid as a resident, you stopped being entitled to use it and drive a private car as soon as your visa was cancelled regardless of what date it states. Insurance companies will only insure residents to drive. I have called the RTA. I was told that the UAE driving license is valid for the duration of its issue regardless of visa status (cacelled, etc.). Then again, we know how the "rules" change depending on who answers the phone! This person also said a "first degree relative" can drive a personal vehicle on a visit visa and with a foreign driving license. Not only a hire car. That once you have residency however you must move to the UAE license to drive. So it does seem that I could drive my husband's car on my foreign license and on a visit visa even though we are currently using a hire car.
379
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 September 2016 - 13:25
I was about to say the same as Dally. You might physically still have a driving licence but it technically won't be valid as you're no longer a resident. You can be sure the insurance company won't pay out if, God forbid, you have an accident. If I were you, I'd stop driving til you get your visa sorted, or at least get a hire car instead so you're 100% legal. This isnt correct - driving license validity is not connected to residence visa - hence the reason your driving license doesnt automatically get cancelled when your visa does (or they would ask you to surrender it along with your Emirates ID). You legally have a license to drive in the UAE while the license is valid (renewing it might be harder). My husband has been driving here for the last 2 years without a residency visa, and uses my car to do his visa runs, without any problems. The below was published in the National last year ..... "It used to be the case that only someone with a UAE residency visa could use a UAE licence, but this was overturned by a Dubai court a few years ago, so theoretically it is possible to get a replacement licence even if a person no longer has a visa. It was stated that even if a residency visa is cancelled it does not mean that the driving licence is invalid, so it is usable for the time remaining until it expires. However, a driving licence cannot be renewed without residency." The RTA was trying to change the law so that professional drivers (truck drivers, taxi driver etc) had their licence cancelled when their residence visa ended, but for everyone else it remains valid. As usual with all things Dubai a very grey area. I do however have had conversations and correspondence from our insurance company that stated quite clearly "as per UAE law car insurance is only valid to UAE residents" Here is a copy of one letter from car insurance company Dear **** As per ministry, visiting visa holder can not drive a personal car. But rent a car is allowed to drive as long as she is having international driving license. Once she got resident visa, can convert her UK driving license here and start the driving.
409
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 September 2016 - 10:36
Your travel insurance would only normally cover trips of up to 45 days providing they start and end in your home country. So you may be covered up to 45 days but outside of this you probably wont. If you decide to go on holiday elsewhere form here then you wouldn't be covered. You would need international health insurance rather than just travel insurance. You need ID for all sorts of things in Dubai so well worth becoming a 'legal' resident.
126
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2016 - 08:19
I was about to say the same as Dally. You might physically still have a driving licence but it technically won't be valid as you're no longer a resident. You can be sure the insurance company won't pay out if, God forbid, you have an accident. If I were you, I'd stop driving til you get your visa sorted, or at least get a hire car instead so you're 100% legal. This isnt correct - driving license validity is not connected to residence visa - hence the reason your driving license doesnt automatically get cancelled when your visa does (or they would ask you to surrender it along with your Emirates ID). You legally have a license to drive in the UAE while the license is valid (renewing it might be harder). My husband has been driving here for the last 2 years without a residency visa, and uses my car to do his visa runs, without any problems. The below was published in the National last year ..... "It used to be the case that only someone with a UAE residency visa could use a UAE licence, but this was overturned by a Dubai court a few years ago, so theoretically it is possible to get a replacement licence even if a person no longer has a visa. It was stated that even if a residency visa is cancelled it does not mean that the driving licence is invalid, so it is usable for the time remaining until it expires. However, a driving licence cannot be renewed without residency." The RTA was trying to change the law so that professional drivers (truck drivers, taxi driver etc) had their licence cancelled when their residence visa ended, but for everyone else it remains valid.
59
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 18:28
I was about to say the same as Dally. You might physically still have a driving licence but it technically won't be valid as you're no longer a resident. You can be sure the insurance company won't pay out if, God forbid, you have an accident. If I were you, I'd stop driving til you get your visa sorted, or at least get a hire car instead so you're 100% legal.
379
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 17:11
As a tourist you can't legally drive a privately owned vehicle, I'm not sure how you get a sim card for your phone, as already said, visa runs are a legal grey area and the rules can change overnight, not sure how easy it would be to use travel insurance for routine gp visits, you won't be able to get an alcohol licence so legally can only drink in hotels, if your husband has housing in his package it may affect his allowance if he is officially living here alone (though he may be entitled to more flights home !! lol).. I'm sure there are lots of minor things we take for granted having an ID - resident discounts etc, but I can't imagine any benefit associated with being on a tourist visa and can't really imagine why anyone would want to do so... I was not aware that you can't drive a private vehicle as a tourist. I wonder why that is? Again, I still have my UAE driving license from my previous residency which is valid for 10 years. RTA told me it doesn't cancel but then again, you know how the laws always change! As far as the other things though like housing allowance, etc (Loads of things I didn't think about!) Thank you :) Your driving licence is only valid as a resident, you stopped being entitled to use it and drive a private car as soon as your visa was cancelled regardless of what date it states. Insurance companies will only insure residents to drive.
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 12:09
I appreciate all the replies. It seems to me that the overwhelming consensus is to get that residency! I was just curious if there were any benefits at all to remaining a "tourist." Looks like nobody can find any! Well... I suppose I'll be doing this visa run as husband's process took longer than we wanted and move forward with residency (for a second time) next month. Thank you all ladies!!!!
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 12:06
I notice from another thread that you are a family. If you have school aged children they will need ID cards for the school contract, I can't remember if you need to have one also. I did think about that with the children! I do not think kids can attend school with a visit visa only. I do think they can start with a visit visa only. I'll check into that. Thank you
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 12:04
As a tourist you can't legally drive a privately owned vehicle, I'm not sure how you get a sim card for your phone, as already said, visa runs are a legal grey area and the rules can change overnight, not sure how easy it would be to use travel insurance for routine gp visits, you won't be able to get an alcohol licence so legally can only drink in hotels, if your husband has housing in his package it may affect his allowance if he is officially living here alone (though he may be entitled to more flights home !! lol).. I'm sure there are lots of minor things we take for granted having an ID - resident discounts etc, but I can't imagine any benefit associated with being on a tourist visa and can't really imagine why anyone would want to do so... I was not aware that you can't drive a private vehicle as a tourist. I wonder why that is? Again, I still have my UAE driving license from my previous residency which is valid for 10 years. RTA told me it doesn't cancel but then again, you know how the laws always change! As far as the other things though like housing allowance, etc (Loads of things I didn't think about!) Thank you :)
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 12:01
Re visa runs: Be careful; if you have a Schengen country passport you are only able to stay in-country for 90 days out of any 180 day period as, effectively, you are given a 90 Day multiple entry visa on arrival. The UK and other countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand who are eligible for visa on arrival can still do visa runs but they aren't as straightforward as they used to be. As others have said, you can only drive a rental car on your home country driving licence (assuming that your home country is one of those where you can 'swap' your licence for a UAE licence). Temporary UAE driving licences no longer exist. Also most travel insurance policies don't cover people who are resident in another country, they only cover you when you are travelling to another country in which you aren't resident. Yes, you are correct. If I don't move forward with legal residency though aren't I considered a tourist still for travel insurance? of course, we all know how much insurance companies will try to get out of paying! Good point. Will have to research that more. Not a Schengen passport. Can do visa runs on my passport. It may be better to just get my residency though after reading these comments!
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 11:59
Unless your vehicle is a rental car then I do not think you can drive it without a UAE license, which you can only get with a residence visa. You can drive a rental car with an International Driving Permit. As a visitor, it used to be possible to get a temporary driving licence, which is valid for 6 months, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get or even if they are still available. You cannot legally drink alcohol without an alcohol licence, which you can only get with a residence visa. Both great points. I still have my UAE driving license but the alcohol license is expired. Husband would be able to get a new one. It does say on the back of the card that it is valid for the holder and members of immediate family. But I also remember them asking for my passport on the old application. Hmm......
154
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 11:57
I can't advise really, but just wanted to say - check your medical cover VERY carefully. Travel medical doesn't usually cover someone actually LIVING in another country even if it is yearly cover, it is usually for limited trips abroad within that year. You may also find that the coverage is also more limited than a full, normal cover, and health care is very expensive if you don't have insurance to cover it. Yours might be fine, but just thought it worth mentioning. Great advice! I will need to check that much closer. Thank you
59
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 11:39
I can't think of a single reason why anyone would choose to remain as a tourist over becoming a resident. There's also no way that travel insurance will cover you for the circumstances you describe.
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 08:20
I notice from another thread that you are a family. If you have school aged children they will need ID cards for the school contract, I can't remember if you need to have one also. Yes not having an Emirates ID will make things complicated with registration in nursery/schools etc and you husband will always have to do things that requires Emirates ID.
2298
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 03:04
I notice from another thread that you are a family. If you have school aged children they will need ID cards for the school contract, I can't remember if you need to have one also.
2298
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 02:58
As a tourist you can't legally drive a privately owned vehicle, I'm not sure how you get a sim card for your phone, as already said, visa runs are a legal grey area and the rules can change overnight, not sure how easy it would be to use travel insurance for routine gp visits, you won't be able to get an alcohol licence so legally can only drink in hotels, if your husband has housing in his package it may affect his allowance if he is officially living here alone (though he may be entitled to more flights home !! lol).. I'm sure there are lots of minor things we take for granted having an ID - resident discounts etc, but I can't imagine any benefit associated with being on a tourist visa and can't really imagine why anyone would want to do so...
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 September 2016 - 17:09
Just the fact that you don't need to do the visa runs is worth it, which is also not entirely legal.
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 September 2016 - 15:19
Re visa runs: Be careful; if you have a Schengen country passport you are only able to stay in-country for 90 days out of any 180 day period as, effectively, you are given a 90 Day multiple entry visa on arrival. The UK and other countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand who are eligible for visa on arrival can still do visa runs but they aren't as straightforward as they used to be. As others have said, you can only drive a rental car on your home country driving licence (assuming that your home country is one of those where you can 'swap' your licence for a UAE licence). Temporary UAE driving licences no longer exist. Also most travel insurance policies don't cover people who are resident in another country, they only cover you when you are travelling to another country in which you aren't resident.
199
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2016 - 13:51
Unless your vehicle is a rental car then I do not think you can drive it without a UAE license, which you can only get with a residence visa. You can drive a rental car with an International Driving Permit. As a visitor, it used to be possible to get a temporary driving licence, which is valid for 6 months, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get or even if they are still available. You cannot legally drink alcohol without an alcohol licence, which you can only get with a residence visa.
858
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 September 2016 - 13:29
I can't advise really, but just wanted to say - check your medical cover VERY carefully. Travel medical doesn't usually cover someone actually LIVING in another country even if it is yearly cover, it is usually for limited trips abroad within that year. You may also find that the coverage is also more limited than a full, normal cover, and health care is very expensive if you don't have insurance to cover it. Yours might be fine, but just thought it worth mentioning.
 
 

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