We have been together for over five years, and have a son almost four. We simply haven't felt a need to get permission from the world to be together, if you understand my drift.

Yes, I possibly should have been a hippie...

So now we plan to move abroad for awhile, preferably UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Bahrain.

How much more difficult will our lives be if we aren't exactly legally married? Is the de facto or life partner concept acceptable?

I look forward to hearing the replies!

[QUOTE=Jiggz;13196]We have been together for over five years, and have a son almost four. We simply haven't felt a need to get permission from the world to be together, if you understand my drift.

Yes, I possibly should have been a hippie...

So now we plan to move abroad for awhile, preferably UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Bahrain.

How much more difficult will our lives be if we aren't exactly legally married? Is the de facto or life partner concept acceptable?

I look forward to hearing the replie

Sinners........lol

Hi Jiggz,

Just by looking at the countries you plan to live in, I would have thought you would need to be married. These countries certainly don't like unmarried people living together and I am sure that applies to all and sundry and not just the locals. These countries have very very strict laws.

Good luck with your decision.

Michelle

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Check out some of the recent discussions on the Dubai forum. There, at least, the concensus seems to be that unmarried foreigners are not a problem. Maybe someone there will know something about the other countries.

you WILL have to be married to come and live in any of the Gulf Countries that you mention. Once your husband gets his residency visa sorted out he will then sponsor you and your son. If you were to come and not be married you would have to get a job, get your own visa and then sponsor your son. Can be quite difficult and not worth the hassle really.

Hi ! I have spent my childhood in Kuwait my daughter was born there, I pretty much know how things work in Gulf and Islamic countries. YES you have to be married to be living together and having a child

Hi ! I have spent my childhood in Kuwait my daughter was born there, I pretty much know how things work in Gulf and Islamic countries. YES you have to be married to be living together and having a child I dont think there is any way out, or if u wish to live in 2 seprate houses that would be fine (ha ha).

I would agree with the posts above. I have in the past lived in the Middle East & would say that you would have to be married in order to gain acceptance. Also, especially as you have a son - would you want him to be considered a '*******' (not meaning to offend but that is how your child would be considered).

Also I would say that if you want to live in a Middle Eastern country you will have to respect the customs of that country (applies to all countries - not just Middle Eastern ones!) if getting married means nothing to you then it will not harm you to do it so as to not offend the customs of the country that you want to be hosting you. Good luck.

I've never lived in the Middle East (or any Arabic/Muslim country) but have traveled to many of them. Some, such as EGYPT and MOROCCO, numerous times. I can tell you this, my Long Term Girl Friend immediately becomes my "Wife". In other words that is what she is referred to, her new title, at every hotel check in, room service order, asking the maid for fresh towels, days spent with private drivers, etc. Would NEVER even think of calling her my Girl Friend in these very traditional/religious countries, No big deal - When in Cairo do as the Cairo-ians... Zoom

This was in the newspaper today - check out paragraph 5 from the bottom of the article regarding living together. 'I'm terrified - it was a mistake': British businesswoman facing jail in Dubai 'after having sex on the beach' | Mail Online

Michelle

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www.expatsinargentina.ning.com

A wonderful place to live