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oldtimer

161
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2018 - 08:01
Meeva Mathew is super. Google and find her on facebook. She will consult with you as to what you want and then get it all and put it in place including having curtains made.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2018 - 16:59
I can recommend "La Perle" at Habtoor City. It is similar to a Cirque show and was absolutely phenomenal.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2018 - 16:57
We recently used Orbit movers and they were great and much cheaper than any other quotes. They sent a huge team and were all packed in 2 hours and unpacked in 2 more. At 1230 on moving day we were sitting in our new home all unpacked with pictures on the wall (they provide a handyman) feeling a bit shell-shocked!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2018 - 16:52
Linda and Alison at Petexpress in Dubai are excellent and well priced. [email protected]
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2017 - 12:10
Just wondering if you found a mover that you would recommend? Anyone else have any recommendations for moving a short distance in Jumeira?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2017 - 10:31
i obviously had the same difficulty as Countess Wrinkle posting the reply!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2017 - 10:30
I'm very sorry to hear that your daughter has been diagnosed with scoliosis so young, it usually presents at puberty. I do have experience with this condition as my daughter was diagnosed at 13 with a 30 degree double curve. You will find that different consultants have different views ... my daughter saw an orthopaedic consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England. His view was that bracing simply put off the inevitable, and that once the brace was removed the spinal curve would progress to the same point that it would have done without it. This could have been specific to the type of curvature my daughter had, I don't know if he would have recommended bracing if she presented differently. She had 6 monthly check ups to assess the curvature and unfortunately by 15 years it had progressed to over 40 degrees which is the point they recommend surgery. She had 2 spinal rods inserted the length of her spine and it is now 2 years on.. I know for children who are still growing, if rods are needed , they now use extending rods which are extended by remote control! Prior to this invention young children would need repeated surgery to replace the rods. Please feel free to ask any questions and i'll do my best to answer.
161
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2017 - 10:30
I'm very sorry to hear that your daughter has been diagnosed with scoliosis so young, it usually presents at puberty. I do have experience with this condition as my daughter was diagnosed at 13 with a 30 degree double curve. You will find that different consultants have different views ... my daughter saw an orthopaedic consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England. His view was that bracing simply put off the inevitable, and that once the brace was removed the spinal curve would progress to the same point that it would have done without it. This could have been specific to the type of curvature my daughter had, I don't know if he would have recommended bracing if she presented differently. She had 6 monthly check ups to assess the curvature and unfortunately by 15 years it had progressed to over 40 degrees which is the point they recommend surgery. She had 2 spinal rods inserted the length of her spine and it is now 2 years on.. I know for children who are still growing, if rods are needed , they now use extending rods which are extended by remote control! Prior to this invention young children would need repeated surgery to replace the rods. Please feel free to ask any questions and i'll do my best to answer.
161
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2017 - 10:30
I'm very sorry to hear that your daughter has been diagnosed with scoliosis so young, it usually presents at puberty. I do have experience with this condition as my daughter was diagnosed at 13 with a 30 degree double curve. You will find that different consultants have different views ... my daughter saw an orthopaedic consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England. His view was that bracing simply put off the inevitable, and that once the brace was removed the spinal curve would progress to the same point that it would have done without it. This could have been specific to the type of curvature my daughter had, I don't know if he would have recommended bracing if she presented differently. She had 6 monthly check ups to assess the curvature and unfortunately by 15 years it had progressed to over 40 degrees which is the point they recommend surgery. She had 2 spinal rods inserted the length of her spine and it is now 2 years on.. I know for children who are still growing, if rods are needed , they now use extending rods which are extended by remote control! Prior to this invention young children would need repeated surgery to replace the rods. Please feel free to ask any questions and i'll do my best to answer.
161
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2017 - 21:19
I recommend Cut Above in the Jumeira Centre, Jumeira 1 (next to the petrol station). It's a lovely, friendly salon with several excellent stylists. Perhaps pop in for a consultation and see if anyone inspires you. I always have my hair cut by Soniya but I have seen other clients having lovely styles by other stylists.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2017 - 18:09
Hi London72, I lived in Kingston for some years and worked in relocation for international families so fully understand your position. There are lots of excellent schools and if they will pay private fees you will find a place for your son. Kingston is a great place to live and there is a very nice private school in Hampton (Hampton School), Surbiton High is also good, Claremont Fann Court School, Kings College School in Wimbledon (V academic), Epsom School .... lots of choice. The state schools are more difficult as they are heavily oversubscribed. In that area the state schools finish at 16 after GCSEs and the kids move on to colleges for A levels. Richmond College, Epsom College, Kingston College. How exciting for you, we loved that area! Feel free to ask any questions about housing locations or schools :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2017 - 22:01
The Beach Centre on Beach Road (blue centre) has a shop upstairs with a good selection of cotton kaftans. Most beautiful fabrics are available in Rivoli on plant street Satwa - they have fabulous cottons from Japan, Switzerland ... the salesman will recommend a tailor.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2017 - 22:25
I can recommend Dr. Rolf Soehnchen at Cooper Dermatology on al Wasl Road in Um Suqeim
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2016 - 13:36
The code works for new purchase - yay! Thanks for sharing that :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2016 - 16:32
my daughter had quite widespread molluscum when she was about 5 yrs. She was seen by a German paediatrician who also practised homeopathy. He gave her some drops on her tongue and within a week the molluscum were gone, it was amazing but true! Apparently they are a virus similar to warts and veruccas and can just disappear spontaneously.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2016 - 21:29
Of course Dubai existed before 1971, my family has lived here since 1961. The UAE was formed in 1971 but Dubai has a much longer history.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 December 2015 - 20:03
Hi, the decision may be easy depending on your budget. You've probably seen on dubizzle or property finder that property prices are ridiculous in Dubai so depending upon your budget, a villa may not be an option. The cheapest, old and tatty villa near to Healthcare City is close to 200K whilst you may find 2 bed appts about 130K. Lifestyle choice is very personal - I would rather be in a run-down villa with my own garden than a contemporary apartment, particularly with children, but many prefer apartment living. Remember, once the property is clean, freshly painted and filled with your own lovely things it will look very different from the dusty, dirty photos you will see online. For me, living in Dubai is all about enjoying the outside, sitting in the garden and watching the birds, and you will be far less stressed if the kids can run off steam in the garden. Good luck with your move, you'll arrive at a lovely time of year.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 December 2015 - 12:13
Me too .... can anyone advise please?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 November 2015 - 21:14
Consider Austria which we found much friendlier than France. The Galtenberg Kinderhotel in Alpbach is fabulous. The area is beautiful with lots of snow and ice activities but also wonderful thermal baths. Full kiddy programme at the hotel with ski lessons, tabogganing, nannies if you want to ski longer or go out without kids, full creche and kids' club if you want to have a drink or dinner alone.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2015 - 12:47
I think it might depend how many houses are in the compound. If it is really small, like 8 houses, you could pop a note round in advance just warning of extra noise (then they can plan to go out if they want to avoid it!) and perhaps drop some cake round later. It's a great opportunity to get to know the neighbours a little. But if there are 20 houses it wouldn't be practicable. Have a great party!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 14:18
different companies offer different packages but you should at least be offered the RERA course and exam and visa/labour costs. Then it may be 50% of what the company makes on a deal (bare in mind that there are often cuts from landlord and other agents before the company gets its share of the 5% commission, and then you get half of that.) If there is a base salary you will get less commission. Real Estate is in a bad situation at the moment. Smith and Ken has gone bankrupt and left Dubai owing 80 staff pay and there are lots of other agencies going under. Try it if you have a back up salary (partner?) but it would be very risky to depend on what you can make.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 14:05
we bought 2 cars from 4X4 Motors on Shk Zayed and were very happy with the choice available and the service. It was very easy, we haggled a little (maybe 10%) and everything was arranged for us (insurance etc)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 14:00
The Sheikh Hamdan villas are about 500K for "backside", 700K for beachside. Ask at the security if any are available. They are managed by Dubai International Real Estate on Arouba St in J2. The blue tiled at the end of al Manara only had 5 bed left and they were 500K for side view, 700K for beach view. Again ask security guard for availability. If you register with a decent real estate company they will know if anything is coming up on the beach - try LaMaison Real Estate who are based in J1. Or just cruise up and down the beach side roads looking for to Let signs. Good luck, it's my dream to live on the beach!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 13:52
I can't think of the garage I used, but there are lots of body shop places in al Quoz opposite MOE
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2015 - 19:52
Can anyone recommend a garden designer who might be able to provide advice, and possibly complete work, to create a garden for a villa (at the moment it is a large lawn and needs to be broken up with trees/bushes - just don't know where to start!)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 July 2015 - 20:53
San Diego has an amazing zoo and also SeaWorld. We did a trolley tour and visited some old navy ships as my son was enthusiastic. We visited the beach over the bridge onto Coronado (?) where honestly the sand sparkled with gold! We stayed in LaJolla a few miles up the coast where there were lots of seals. Loved it.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 June 2015 - 18:32
I have just collected my car from Green Shine (at petrol station between Jumeira Plaza and Jumeira Centre on Beach Road in Jumeira 1 --- they did a fantastic job! It took 4 hours for the super clean, upholstery etc but it really looks like new. I was ashamed when I dropped it off as it was in a shocking condition after lots of beach visits, salt stains, sand, dog hair ... It cost 450 but they have a loyalty card, 4 cleans then one free which you can juggle between different cars. Didn't realise they come to your home, even better!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 18:22
I don't know if you have been in Dubai long, but if you have you may have lots of experience and knowledge to share. I know one of the big relocation companies took on a lady in her 70s as a relocation consultant. Given that most people only have a job for about 2 years your age shouldn't be a barrier - at least you probably won't be needing time off for childcare or maternity leave! Good luck.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2015 - 08:04
Claridges Hotel does a wonderful afternoon tea, very classy!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2015 - 09:06
All arranged online - needed copies of employment contract, passport, visa and EID - very easy. It includes outpatient consultations at certain hospitals and clinics (except in emergencies when you can go anywhere). There is a payment of, I think, 20% for treatment up to a maximum of AED500. We really wanted it for the big "what if". Happy to pay for normal appointments but I read some scary reports of maids who had a stroke, heart attack etc costing tens of thousands. We checked the list of authorised clinics and luckily we are only a few minutes from one. It will be a legal requirement for everyone to have this insurance for anyone under their sponsorship next year, and AED650 is cheap peace of mind.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 19:04
In case anyone else is going through this process, we organised insurance through AXA. There is a government authorised health insurance scheme for workers earning less than AED4000/month called Essential Benefits Plan and it cost AED650 for the year.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2015 - 20:29
Where is your home country / family / friends? Are you looking to work there or retire? Consider tax situation. Will those countries want you? Dubai has a high proportion of French - they aren't choosing to live in France at this stage in their lives. France is beautiful but you would need to be fluent in French or prepared to learn. My best friend emigrated to Australia and has stayed but isn't overwhelmed. She lives in Sydney and housing is very expensive, schools expensive, salaries not great. And she's a long way from family (UK) with parents getting older, kids growing up with little contact with UK relatives. USA is a huge country with so many different areas to live, impossible to generalise.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2015 - 20:22
Where do you live? In Jumeira 1, Soniya in Cut Above in the Jumeira Centre is good and reasonably priced. I also went to Salon Ink opposite Beach Park (RIP) and was always happy there but it was more expensive.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2015 - 16:39
I think most things are possible in Dubai - try Dubai Kennels and Cattery, they collect and deliver pets within Dubai, it's probably just a matter of paying more to deliver to AD
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 19:13
I went to one of the phone shops in Bur Dubai and they took it off me for 24 hours and had it repaired somewhere centrally. I think it was about 200dhs. Might be worth asking in a couple of shops for quotes and then negotiate.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 13:30
I would visit a tailor near where you live or work. Perhaps i've been lucky, but I haven't had a bad experience with any tailors in Dubai (certainly not for simple jobs like this). Usually by mosques there is a tailor and laundry. My local tailor is very cheap; it looks like chaos with piles of clothing in bags, but he always knows which bag is mine and completes the work quickly. Probably for shirt adjustment it would be 10-20dhs per shirt. If you go to a tailor in a mall or hotel it will be much more expensive.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 20:31
I was asleep so i'm not sure! I think it may have been elemis … but i might be making that up, call them and they can tell you. I had a super deluxe facial which lasted 2 hours (felt like 30mins) and it cost AED450. She got rid of some white bumps (melia?) which i'd had for years and sealed them after with an electric zapper, endless facial scrubs, oils, creams, head, shoulders, hands, forearms, feet, lower legs … I loved it! If you buy a course of 4 you get the 5th one free.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 10:12
Going through the same process, did you find a good policy? Any recommendations?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 21:41
I think staying on the creek is a nice idea - it looks very romantic at night with lights twinkling etc. The creek area is great with the abras, souks, museum, bastakiya etc, only prob it is soooooo hot just now that any outside activities are hard. Another option could be to have a couple of nights in Abu Dhabi - an early morning kayak through the mangroves, visit the beautiful Grand Mosque,… it's only an hour or so away.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 18:53
We have had several great holidays in Bavaria and Austria and both are much cheaper than Switzerland. Look at Bad Reichenhall on the Austrian/German border, close to Salzburg. It is a lovely spa town surrounded by hills - walking is lovely , beautiful lakes to swim in, the thermal spa pools are great, concerts in the park, cable car up the mountain, river running through, 20 mins to Salzburg, visit a salt mine, go to the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgarten, so much to do regardless of the weather. Lots of guest houses attached to farms so if the kids like animals they can help with feeding lambs etc
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 21:27
Has she done any boat trips? Water taxi from the creek to the Marina? Creek dinner cruise? Maybe an overnight trip to Abu Dhabi - the grand mosque is spectacular and they have lots of lovely art galleries. Have you done a desert safari? The platinum heritage tours are super and aren't dune bashing rallies, they are in vintage land rovers driving sedately through lovely desert - if she can bear to get up early the morning is beautiful, but so is the evening. Go granny!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 21:22
I don't think you will find anything for 170K; 200K is the starting price for villas, certainly in Jumeira and Um Suqeim. For that you will get 3/4 bed either old bungalow or compound with shared pool. You might enjoy either area as you are never far from shops, beach, parks, schools etc. So long as you aren't fussy about older properties you will have some choice but new build 3 beds are about 280K. Meadows and Springs have lots of green areas and lots of young families. Regarding furniture, Ikea is good value and they deliver and assemble. You can be lucky with second hand, especially if someone is doing a house clearance and you like everything they have, but otherwise it's a lot of hassle finding the property, looking at the items, then arranging truck to collect (and they may be in apartments where you need permission to move furniture) Or you could rent furniture but that's about 30K for a 3 bed villa per year. You can't go 500m in Dubai without passing a nursery so I wouldn't worry about that yet. Good luck with it all ;)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 21:12
sympathies Metro! My in-laws stayed for the whole of December and near the end my husband (who had been at work all day every day, just returning to eat) announced "hasn't it gone quickly"!!!! NO IT HADN'T!!!!! It will be even worse in the summer as they can't even go outside. Do they know how hot it is in the summer here? Perhaps there is an important work event that you need to be in Doha for? Without you cooking and cleaning after everyone perhaps it won't be so attractive to stay at your home. Maybe exaggerate what great offers are on in the hotels, and how nice it would be to have facilities like pool and gym, and foyer, and maid service etc … good luck. I held together for a month but I would struggle in the summer with everyone indoors.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2015 - 15:56
What area are you considering living in? If Jumeira / Um Suqeim, google lamaisonuae.com to view some properties, Helen works for the company and is really knowledgable and reliable.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 April 2015 - 14:48
Hi Mummy2012, you asked how my daughter's speech was as a result of her hearing loss - it is definitely not "normal" but she can make herself understood. Try not to compare your daughter with other children as they all have different levels of hearing loss; remember that my daughter's loss is severe. I would say that 2.7 is still young and particularly growing up bilingual. I'm assuming your daughter's loss is at high frequency in which case she will have difficulty with the "K" sound, and also s sh ph ... You will need to find a speech therapist and ideally one specialising in hearing loss. She will be able to teach your daughter how to produce sounds which she can't hear by demonstrating positioning of the tongue (I seem to remember the system used was called "lindamood") When she learns to read she will be able to see how a word looks, and will then understand it has a K or S at the end, she will know how to produce the sound and so will start to pronounce better. A speech therapist will teach you how to remind your daughter to add sounds she can't hear - for example "snake", she may not hear the sss sound so you will have to cue her with a snake gesture. (called cued articulation). There are lots of methods to help her but it all takes time. Lots of children have problems with different sounds even without hearing loss - I have memories as a child of reciting "round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran" and "i throttled thirty three thousand thirsty thrushes in a thorny thistle tree" as I couldn't do my "r"s or "th"s. Don't panic but do look for a speech therapist - your audiologist should be able to recommend a specialist. And it is important that you don't pounce on her speech all the time or you may discourage her from trying. Better to speak and make mistakes than not to speak at all. Practising through singing is a great way to encourage her.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2015 - 22:16
Imran 0552766592 He set up our house last year and was really helpful.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2015 - 15:41
Of course some people make a very good living in Real Estate, but it is incredibly competitive and without a good knowledge of the country, the system and contacts for clients and property it would be very difficult to be successful. Apart from anything, the broker exam has a very high pass mark (as in you have to score 84%, the pass rate is about 30%) although most brokers probably operate without official accreditation. I know several long-term brokers who have left the market as they just couldn't make enough money.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 21:34
It depends what passport you have - some countries are issued visas at the border, some must be arranged before. If you hold a passport eligible for border issued visa, provided your passport has at least 6 months validity you can get a visit visa to Oman at the border. I know a friend who held a British passport but wife's was Ukrainian and they were turned back so check the list of countries eligible.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 21:29
That depends where in Oman you want to go - Musandam, Muscat, Salalah, ...?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2015 - 16:06
very good advice from zululush. I worked as an immigration officer in UK so know how hard the process is. It is extremely difficult to get a marriage visa and even if you are married before going back to UK, entry will be difficult for him. Not knowing your circumstances I can't advise specifically, but all zulu's advice about detailed documentation of your history together and finances is critical. It is such a shame that genuine relationships are made to suffer because of the many cases of sham marriages.