Moving to Dubai with Partner

[urbanpioneer]

I have a couple of questions about moving to Dubai. By way of background, my company is considering sending me on one year contract in Dubai starting in approximately October this year. They will be sponsering me for a visa. However, I plan to move here we my partner (we're a gay couple)., who does not have a sponsor. He intends to look for work here to begin around the same time I do.

First, my partner is a paralegal in the US. We have looked around on-line, but haven't been able to find much in that area. Are we not using the right terminology, or do such positions not exist in Dubai? He's not looking to be a secretary, but he's not a lawyer either.

Second, we plan to live together. I have been in Dubai many times for work, so I know all about being discreet. However, if we are discreet and live in one of the more anonymous towers near the Marina, what are the chances that we will run afoul with the vice police? At the moment, we plan to rent a two or three bedroom apartment as an "apartment share."

I look forward to any advice you may have.

Thanks!

[Elphaba]

Just be aware that being gay is technically a crime here - so be careful. As long as there are no PDAs and you keep below the radar you'll be fine. Just make sure you get a 2-bed apartment.

As for work, your partners should be able to get a job with one of the major legal firms here. I suggest he does some research & approaches them directly.

Good luck.


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[cairogal]

There are no vice police in the UAE. So long as you are absolutely never witnessed by anyone doing anything that is clearly sexual in nature then you should be fine. I would be very careful about who I told, though. No matter how modern Dubai looks I would not let my guard down on this one.

[Geordie Armani]

who told you there were no Vice in Dubai!! honestly .... there is a massive Vice Department.

[cairogal]

Originally Posted by Geordie Armani

who told you there were no Vice in Dubai!! honestly .... there is a massive Vice Department.

I've had colleagues busted for behaviour that was inappropriate (kissing girlfriend in the car, public intox, etc.), but we're not talking mutaween like in KSA.