Hello James

Well yes, similar questions have been posed numerous times. Please read the sticky threads at least.

You usually just require a blood test for a residency visa (required in order to be employed), although sometimes a chest x-ray is also done.

Not all of Dubai is souless - not where I live anyway. I find it bizarre that so many choose to live in new Dubai on a 'Truman Show' housing estate, or in identical blocks in the Marina & then claim there is no soul to the city. Life here is what you make of it - your attitude is everything.

As I have said many, many times, it is illegal to co-habit if you are not married. You cannot sponsor your girlfriend and if you plan to live together, the tenancy can only be in one name & you'll have to be discrete. Much general office work is poorly paid as it is done by workers from the Indian sub-continent - bear in mind that India has many highly-educated graduates. It really depends on what she wants as there are opportunities.

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"Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it." Agatha Christie