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Arriving from UK in June - what to bring?

26

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 16:22

Hi

I am arriving in Abu Dhabi in June with my husband and 2 children (2 and 5 months). We will be living in a serviced apartment for a month whilst our furniture is shipped and I will be starting full time work about a week after we arrive.

So, I was just wondering from those of you who have already made the move, are there any useful/essential items I should pack for that first month that I may not be able to get hold of, or at least not until I get my bearings.

Many thanks

With kind regards

Maria

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26

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 01:55

I will get on with the attestation of everything! My husband recently got his degree certificate apostilled at the Foreign Office then had it attested/verified by a notary public - is this the process I need to go through with all my docs? We have quite a lot to have attested - 4 birth certificates, decree absolute, marriage certificate and 3 degree certificates - hopefully I can get a good deal on price if I get them all done together!

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 17:38

Agree 100% with busybee2 & mrsb. Even if you've been told not to bother getting certificates attested, DO IT!! Wish we'd ignored the (wrong) advice we'd been given, would have made our move here so much easier. everything here is done on degree certificates, you need that to be attested, they need to tick their boxes that you have a degree, not many people can work here without a degree. passport photos are much cheaper to get here, 25dhs for 8 photos they will put on cd.

1370

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 12:52

My DH company insisted and insisted that marriage, birth Cert did not need attested. They then started to process our visas and turned round and said they had made a mistake and we needed done. It was a lot of extra stress. I believe my DH did not need his degree attested but he was working for same company in uk as here. Every job I have applied for here they have requested copies of my attested degrees. I got an agency in London to do everything...£297 for two degrees to be attested. As we had been told we did not need marriage,birth Certs we had to get done out here which was a huge pain especially as one DD born in Malaysia, one in new Zealand and we got married in uk. Bring loads of passport photo and have a cd done with your passport photo as well. Loads of money, lol. Start up costs are huge. Apart from Decathlon shop in Dubai, I find kids swim suits, rash vests, sports gear expensive here so stock up otherwise travel to Dubai and use Decathlon. Ham stock cubes are something else that I bring as impossible to find here even in p**k section.

309

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 12:41

Agree 100% with busybee2 & mrsb. Even if you've been told not to bother getting certificates attested, DO IT!! Wish we'd ignored the (wrong) advice we'd been given, would have made our move here so much easier.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 09:05

As BusyBee2 says, ATTEST, ATTEST, ATTEST, and then VERIFY!! This is most important. Also lots of passport sized photos are essential. Attest all documents including school transfer documents for children, birth certificates, marriage certificates, education qualifications etc - absolutely EVERYTHING. you can buy everything here so just concentrate on documentation - life is impossible here without it!

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 08:12

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. My employer does not want certified certificates so I was not going to bother but I will get them sorted now I know other agencies will require it. Will also get sunscreen and passport photo sorted, and of course, stock up on drinks at duty free! Really looking forward to getting to AD now! With kind regards Maria degrees need to be attested, everything needs to be verified and verified and attested.

26

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 02:47

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. My employer does not want certified certificates so I was not going to bother but I will get them sorted now I know other agencies will require it. Will also get sunscreen and passport photo sorted, and of course, stock up on drinks at duty free! Really looking forward to getting to AD now! With kind regards Maria

309

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 22:00

You can get most things here, albeit maybe a bit more expensive. If you have a particular brand of shampoo, favourite make-up product, might be best to stock up on those. As someone else mentioned make sure you have any legal things formally attested by the British Embassy - marriage certificate, degree certificate, etc. We were told it wasn't necessary to have this done by my husband's HR manager - WRONG!! It was a major oversight and caused many, many delays with getting ID cards, bank accounts, etc. And although it may sound pretty obvious IT WILL BE VERY VERY HOT IN JUNE! Outside activities will be virtually impossible, so make sure you have lots of books & dvd's to keep your little ones occupied (and you too!) June can be quite a difficult time to relocate to a new country, as most ex-pats will be leaving for the summer months as soon as schools break up. I know this from experience, as I moved to Venezuela (first time as an expat) in July, just as everyone else left! However, on a plus side, the city will be quieter with less traffic, so it's easier to get orientated. You'll LOVE Abu Dhabi. It's a very easy, safe place to live. Good luck. <em>edited by lulubaker on 16/04/2013</em>

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 17:21

Getting a passport photo put onto cd is also invaluable as you require many! Sun screen def cheaper in uk. Buy ur grape etc after landing in Dubai as there is a duty free there much cheaper than uk. Great minds think alike reference the grape!

1370

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 17:19

Getting a passport photo put onto cd is also invaluable as you require many! Sun screen def cheaper in uk. Buy ur grape etc after landing in Dubai as there is a duty free there much cheaper than uk.

26

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 17:14

That's great advice Sarahlou, especially in respect of liquid refreshment! Thanks a lot Maria

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 16:45

I believe nappies, baby milk, suntan lotion are expensive also however the other posters can advise on kiddie stuff better than i can If you like the grape stuff both yourself and your Husband buy your allowance at the airport as until you purchase an alcohol licence you cannot buy it in the UAE Are they processing your residence visa prior to arrival? as it is always best to have hundreds of copies of your marriage certificates, birth certificates, driving licence etc Also some companies ask for your education certificates to be attested by a solicitor, f and commonwealth office and UAE embassy in your home country to apply for work visa's

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 16:37

Hi I am arriving in Abu Dhabi in June with my husband and 2 children (2 and 5 months). We will be living in a serviced apartment for a month whilst our furniture is shipped and I will be starting full time work about a week after we arrive. So, I was just wondering from those of you who have already made the move, are there any useful/essential items I should pack for that first month that I may not be able to get hold of, or at least not until I get my bearings. Many thanks With kind regards Maria Although it will be warm in June bring some lightweight jumpers or cardigans as the malls and air conditioning are cold. I always bring pork products in when i travel home as it is expensive here You can buy practically everything here and supermarkets/corner shops are plentiful

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