Post: #1

I'm going to Abu Dhabi in November, I'm about to book my ticket next week. But instead of thinking just for vacation, I'm thinking I can stay longer there and find a work. If anybody has been there and can give me some tips on what to expect I would appreciate it. I was in Philippines earlier this year and it was awesome. If I buy 1 way ticket to Abu Dhabi, will they let me in the country? Do I need anything special? Thanks

Post: #2

I have spent some time in that region.

1 - You cant just turn up without accomodation or a job with no money - That's not wise. Search the local job market online and see if it fits the skill set you possess. Accountants, project managers, logistics is big demand in that region.
2 - Abu Dhabi is a very conservative place far more than Dubai. In dubai you can pretty much do whatever you like in the clubs (drinking, hookers, drugs etc) but AD is far more conservative

Post: #3

I'll be staying with a filipina lady friend of mine that I spent time with in Philippines, just me and her. She told me I can find work there easily and she will help me for a little bit. I'm not into drinking hookers or drugs. The original plan was to stay and work in Philippines with her, but I have to wait till March for that. I'm just wondering what will happen if I buy 1 way ticket.. If I need any special visa ?

Post: #4

I've never been asked for a ticket out, and I've entered the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) about 20 times.

Your plan is not unrealistic, plenty of Filipinos go there without a job and find a job there.

Post: #5

1. It's much easier to land a job if you are on the ground. It's not unusual to show up on a tourist visa/permit (issued on arrival for certain nationalities) to look for a job.

2. Abu Dhabi is not Sharjah. Drinking is allowed in Abu Dhabi as in Dubai. Hookers are in Abu Dhabi as well. Pot might get you behind bars for a few years in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Heavier drugs will carry more stiff penalties.

3. You can't legally cohabit with a girl you aren't married to. Many people still do it, probably more in Dubai than in Abu Dhabi. Act married and be discreet is how those breaking that law try to do.

4. As for visa they might ask you how long you will be in the UAE. To be on the safe side you probably would need an outbound ticket. Check with the embassy to be sure. Why don't you just buy a return ticket instead? It's usually more cost effective anyway unless you fly low cost. Probably easier than getting a special visa. I guess that a one way ticket to Oman or Qatar should probably be sufficient. Again, check with the embassy to be sure. I doubt that your Filipina girlfriend will get a visa/permit on arrival. I guess that she might already be in the UAE though?

5. If you go there to look for a job try out both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and see where you can land a job.

Post: #6

(09-22-2014 03:23 PM)Sp5 Wrote:  I've never been asked for a ticket out, and I've entered the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) about 20 times.

Your plan is not unrealistic, plenty of Filipinos go there without a job and find a job there.

Someone's ethnicity (not passport) might have something to do about what questions you might get (and generally what treatment to expect) in the UAE.

Post: #7

@ sp5 thanks for the comment and info.

@ Cheetah

Yes my Filipina has been there for a year now working as a school teacher for kids. She will be looking for a place for us to stay soon, I guess where a lot of filipinos stay, just like a 1 room place. I met her here and we were together for 6 months everyday, then I visited her in Philippines, and the original plan was for me to meet her back in Philippines and stay a long time, but she can't go back yet until March. So if they confront me and her and find out were not yet married what is the worst that can happen you think? Yes, maybe I will just pay a few more hundred to have return ticket, but end up staying there and getting everything worked out. She told me she entered the country with a 1 way ticket, and then like a fake outward ticket, I forget the word she used to call it. I haven't done much research on this country, but I know what to expect and how to act there. I've had all kinds of different jobs in my life and have never been fired. I'm 26 and I need to get out of America for awhile!! It's time to make moves! My woman is strong and can support me for a short while if needed. But it was a change of plans at the last minute and now this is my plan b. Also I'm thinking about bringing a very nice road bike to get around for awhile.. Is cycling like legit there for me? haha Thanks for the input.

Post: #8

I don't have any first hand knowledge but Abu Dhabi/Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, don't strike me as the kinds of places where you can get away with much that they wouldn't want you to.

Very small local populations + very rich + threat of terrorism = very heightened security and intelligence.

I think you should probably rely on more than what your girlfriend is telling you.

You wont be jailed for life or anything (because you're american) but i think they'll be fully aware of your situation. Question is if they will care.

Post: #9

You will probably cause more attention cycling through AD than fucking unmarried girls. Seriously, I would be more worried about the cops pulling you over on you bike. Its very uncommon there.

As far as girls go, as its been said already, just be discreet, refrain from obvious daygame.

Post: #10

You might be surprised with the living arrangements your girlfriend has in mind. At best, you will share a room in an apartment.

I've been in a few apartments where Filipinas stay in Abu Dhabi/Dubai, they are often filled with bunk beds.

Like four girls to a room. Or an apartment with Filipinas in one room, Indo/Pak guys in another room. The Indian guy / Filipina couple is common there.

There are Filipino married couples who rent out rooms for other Filipinos, too. It's a pretty dense place, I don't think the authorities are going to care much what you're doing behind closed doors. Kuwait would be different, there they might prosecute you for cohabiting - used to see reports in the newspaper there all the time.

Post: #11

Biclycling in Abu Dhabi is not recommended. It's close to suicidal. In the winter months you might find a park or something where you could use your bicycle if you just want to exercise. I don't even know if that is allowed. For transport, no. Distances could be long also but taxis are cheap.

Are you just going to work in Abu Dhabi for a few months? That's not worthwhile. Also, how much do you expect to earn in the Philippines should you want to work there?

Post: #12

Abu Dhabi for a holiday ...that's just wrong!
For work....unless it's a HIGHLY paid expat job ,forget it!

Post: #13

(09-23-2014 10:35 AM)Pilgrim37 Wrote:  Abu Dhabi for a holiday ...that's just wrong!
For work....unless it's a HIGHLY paid expat job ,forget it!

Visiting the Grand Mosque and staying at one of the luxury beach hotels on Yas island isn't too bad. If you want good nightlife you might be disappointed.

If the employer provides a sufficient allowance for accommodation I don't think that it's that incredibly expensive. Dubai isn't that far away either (around 80-120 minutes by car)

Post: #14

Any recommendations for things to see/do besides the typical tourist attractions in Dubai? I'll be there for a weekend in October.

Post: #15

(09-23-2014 12:54 PM)B00G3r Wrote:  Any recommendations for things to see/do besides the typical tourist attractions in Dubai? I'll be there for a weekend in October.

Buddha Bar/restaurant in the Grosvenor hotel is awesome (on the pricey side)

Post: #16

(09-23-2014 12:54 PM)B00G3r Wrote:  Any recommendations for things to see/do besides the typical tourist attractions in Dubai? I'll be there for a weekend in October.

What do you consider to be the typical tourist attractions? Knowing that will make it easier to advice you if you have 'forgotten' something. I guess that most things worth seeing or doing in Dubai is more or less a tourist attraction.

Post: #17

Well I made it to Abu Dhabi, already back in USA now. I stayed 12 days, and the 1 way ticket worked perfectly. On the way back tho in Paris, the lady at the boarding gate just asked me what I was doing flying out of Abu Dhabi with a 1 way ticket that I didn't book on my own credit card. I had my girlfriends friend book it because my credit card wasn't working there. Anyways, my plan didn't really work out. We were only suppose to stay in the hotel for 1 night, ended up having to stay there every single day. We tried to find a room but like someone on here said before "Filipino only" We had other options but it was to crazy the living conditions. UAE , much rich, little fun. People aren't all that friendly it seemed. I got to stay with my girl every single day and we had our own fun if we could. She told me it was so boring her first few months there that she would cry herself to sleep. Go there if you want to make some money for sure. We were swimming in a pool and the lifeguard said we couldn't really touch eachother. And we got stopped walking on the street 1 time by 3 guys speaking arabic. I just smiled at them and proceeded. Not sure how long this country will continue to live by these standards tho. Going back to Philippines in March. Middle East isn't for me.



           

Post: #18

Cool, but you never did hit up Dubai?

Post: #19

Nice pics buddy, looks like you had fun.

Post: #20

Heres a little picture montage . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0-ZNt_F...gqOYXWKXpg


Cheetah, never made it to Dubai!! We planned to go, but never made it. I feel I got jipped on that for sure! The day we were suppose to ride a bus to dubai, is the same day i realized I couldn't use my credit card there to book a 1 way ticket back. So were running around everywhere trying to find a way to book my ticket ha. I got some Dubai T shirts tho haha Actually there is maybe a slight chance I will be back in Abu Dhabi someday, but i'm in no rush!

Post: #21

Dubai is a place you go to for the experience. Watching a brand new city being built. Similar to watching Seoul, Tokyo, NY get built back in the day but 20th century version.

Post: #22

(12-18-2014 01:45 AM)lucasboy87 Wrote:   And we got stopped walking on the street 1 time by 3 guys speaking arabic. I just smiled at them and proceeded. Not sure how long this country will continue to live by these standards tho. Going back to Philippines in March. Middle East isn't for me.

You got stopped walking with a girl?

I am going to Abu dhabi in couple of days, pipelined some girls, but seeing this sort of stories making me wonder, where can we go for dates….

Post: #23

(04-07-2015 03:57 AM)Love charm Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 01:45 AM)lucasboy87 Wrote:   And we got stopped walking on the street 1 time by 3 guys speaking arabic. I just smiled at them and proceeded. Not sure how long this country will continue to live by these standards tho. Going back to Philippines in March. Middle East isn't for me.

You got stopped walking with a girl?

I am going to Abu dhabi in couple of days, pipelined some girls, but seeing this sort of stories making me wonder, where can we go for dates….

There are plenty of places for dates: malls, restaurants, the marina, walk along the corniche, the big hotels like Emirates Palace with several bars and restaurants.

Nobody is going to hassle you on the street. For all the OP knew, those guys were welcoming him to AD.

The only issue is the hotel you're staying in. No problem bringing a girl to your room if you're in an international chain hotel with a big lobby and restaurants and bars. If you're staying in a small locally-owned hotel with a narrow entrance past the desk, you might get stopped and told there is a no-guest policy.

Post: #24

(04-07-2015 05:10 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 03:57 AM)Love charm Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 01:45 AM)lucasboy87 Wrote:   And we got stopped walking on the street 1 time by 3 guys speaking arabic. I just smiled at them and proceeded. Not sure how long this country will continue to live by these standards tho. Going back to Philippines in March. Middle East isn't for me.

You got stopped walking with a girl?

I am going to Abu dhabi in couple of days, pipelined some girls, but seeing this sort of stories making me wonder, where can we go for dates….

There are plenty of places for dates: malls, restaurants, the marina, walk along the corniche, the big hotels like Emirates Palace with several bars and restaurants.

Nobody is going to hassle you on the street. For all the OP knew, those guys were welcoming him to AD.

The only issue is the hotel you're staying in. No problem bringing a girl to your room if you're in an international chain hotel with a big lobby and restaurants and bars. If you're staying in a small locally-owned hotel with a narrow entrance past the desk, you might get stopped and told there is a no-guest policy.

I will try to stay in one of the 5 star or 7 star hotel. Mind you, we are being invited by a Bank, and they are booking our hotel.

Out of curiosity, holding hands and kissing in bars are ok? Or they have no touch policy there as well.

One of the girl invited me to her for dinner, so I guess I will try not to escalate in bars..

Post: #25

(04-07-2015 06:21 AM)Love charm Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 05:10 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 03:57 AM)Love charm Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 01:45 AM)lucasboy87 Wrote:   And we got stopped walking on the street 1 time by 3 guys speaking arabic. I just smiled at them and proceeded. Not sure how long this country will continue to live by these standards tho. Going back to Philippines in March. Middle East isn't for me.

You got stopped walking with a girl?

I am going to Abu dhabi in couple of days, pipelined some girls, but seeing this sort of stories making me wonder, where can we go for dates….

There are plenty of places for dates: malls, restaurants, the marina, walk along the corniche, the big hotels like Emirates Palace with several bars and restaurants.

Nobody is going to hassle you on the street. For all the OP knew, those guys were welcoming him to AD.

The only issue is the hotel you're staying in. No problem bringing a girl to your room if you're in an international chain hotel with a big lobby and restaurants and bars. If you're staying in a small locally-owned hotel with a narrow entrance past the desk, you might get stopped and told there is a no-guest policy.

I will try to stay in one of the 5 star or 7 star hotel. Mind you, we are being invited by a Bank, and they are booking our hotel.

Out of curiosity, holding hands and kissing in bars are ok? Or they have no touch policy there as well.

One of the girl invited me to her for dinner, so I guess I will try not to escalate in bars..

7 star? I thought the Burj al Arab was the only one in the world. Any of the large international chains should be ok. If you get caught by the desk, they might want to get a copy of the girl's ID at most.

You will have no problem, but be discreet. Holding hands and quick kisses would be OK in a bar. A long "get a room!" make-out session might not be, just as in a posh hotel elsewhere. Your Muslim religious types do not hang around the bars to get offended.

I recommend Le Meridien for dinner, they have several restaurants and nice outdoor seating.

What kind of girls are you pipelining? Filipinas or others?