Hey again. No probs, I read this forum alot and this is probably the first time i've been able to contribute in a meaningful way haha.

OK
Applying for Sponsorship Seperately.
Yes, it's allowed. It is just hard to come by. I wish you luck, cos I tried initially to get my own sponsorship, but companies won't sponsor someone, when in reality they could hire a filipino or indian to do the same work for half the price.

If you both manage to get sponsorship from separate employers
No dramas at all. As you willl be on seperate visas, you'll lead seperate processes. No issues that I can see.

if we did go the route of me finding sponsorship and my wife obtaining residency through me - if I get the correct paperwork;
how long would it take for her to get that residency through me

I think residency takes approx 2 weeks, depending on the processing time of the day.
However, she can still enter the country on a visit visa, which is issued to most westerners automatically on arrival, and they last for 60 days. If by some crazy reason she hasn't been granted residency by then, she can simply hop the border and come back in, and get another 60 days.
This website has information on it;
UAE Visit/Tourist Visa Requirements [United Arab Emirates] - TEN Guide

Would she be limited in what type of job or salary she was allowed in that status ?
No is the short answer. What does she do for work? I'm in Admin / Secretarial / PA and i have actually been advised by a recruitment agency that is interviewing me, that it's better to be on my husband's visa than a company's, for the reasons I gave before.

Also, I would strongly recommend getting your marriage certificate attested by your Foreign Affairs and also by the UAE consulate before even coming over. It's better to be safe than sorry, and all it takes is one a pissed off neighbour to report you to the police and when you can't produce your attested marriage certificate, it's deportation for you.


Mind you I haven't even left Australia yet, this is all info I have found out by ringing consulates / reading forums / recruitment agencies etc.