Thank you for visiting the Expat Arrivals Forum. We have thousands of local expats waiting to answer your questions on living and working abroad.

Read our terms of use.

Filter by Destination:

Can anyone recommend expat compounds close to Medina in Jeddah?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Jeddah
Hi. I am considering a contract in Medinah in Saudi, and if I accept both myself and my wife will be moving to Saudi for between 2 and 5 years depending on the contract. As you are all aware the conditions in most of Saudi seem to be very restrictive for European women, and as such it is very important for us, that my wife is located in a good, friendly and supportive ex-pat community, so that the transition for both of us can work. My wife is a fully qualified Chiropodist although I understand that she will not be able to work in Saudi if she comes with me based upon my contract and visa.

What is the cost of living in Bahrain?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Bahrain
Hi, this is Vikas Agrawal. I am moving to Bahrain in the first week of October. The company is offering me a salary of 1156 BHD.

I am an Indian. My wife will move to Bahrain after three months. We believe in simple living.

1) Is the salary good or not?
2) What will be rent for a two bedroom?
3) How much will I be able to save? 
4) My wife has done a Masters in finance, will she be able to get a job? If she starts as a fresher how much she can earn?

Thank you

Admission to an international school in Jeddah?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Jeddah
I am very worried about my daughter's admission into the International Indian School in Jeddah. I have been trying to get her admitted for three years but I am disappointed that she has not been admitted yet.

This year she wrote the open school exam for class one and scored very good marks. I have been waiting for a call from the school since April 2014. How will I know that the school will take admissions in September?

Please reply soon I am very worried.

Will the language barrier be a problem in Portugal?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Portugal
Hi there

Moving to the Algarve with my husband and 2 kids. We are moving from the UK. I am concerned about us settling in and getting on well with the locals.

While I speak a bit of Spanish,I don't know much Portuguese. Will our lack of language skills ruin our experience?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Sally

Is it safe for Indians to work in Riyadh?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Riyadh
Dear All, Please suggest me I got a job in Riyadh Metro...I want to know it is easy to work safe over there as an Indian. Is any kind of harassment to Indians...??? Also I got 5400 SAR salary + accommodation provided by company and food also...please suggest me because I'm puzzled can I come in Riyadh over there or not.???

Is it possible to have residence permits for both Saudi Arabia and Qatar at the same time?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Qatar
Currently I am in saudi Arabia on independent visa i got a job offer from qatar is it possible whule doing a job in qatar i keep my current saudi visa as well. My kafeel has no problem with it.

What is the truth about living in New Zealand?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Auckland
Hello, I am just in the process of trying to decide whether to relocate from the UK and accept an offer of employment in Auckland. I am trying to get to the truth about living in New Zealand: is it a difficult transition? all of the forum / blog accounts that I have found so far paint a grim picture of New Zealand in general and Auckland in particular.

How can I get a visa for my adopted children to move to Saudi Arabia?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Saudi Arabia
Dear all, First of all I'm sorry if this is a double post. I couldn't see my earlier post after I pressed the submit button. But anyway, I have recently been offered a job at one of the universities in KSA. The offer specifies that I can bring my husband and up to two children with me. However, when I mentioned to the saudi arabia embassy in my country that my children were adopted (since birth), they told me that the process won't be straightforward. I have to leave for KSA first, get my iqama then apply for my adopted children to live with me.

Is Abu Dhabi a good place to move with children?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi

I will be moving to Abu-Dhabi from the US at the end of this year with my family. I have two small kids.

How are the schools there? School fees will be paid by my employer. Any advice for new comer with kids? Where should I stay? Crime? Food?

Thanks for the help.

Living in Dubai and working for a UK company

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Dubai
Hi - my Husband has a new job in Dubai and I am just negotiating with my company here in the UK to see if I can carry on working for them remotely from Dubai but I would still be getting paid by UK. Is there anyone else out there that has done something similar and if yes how did you get on and can you offer any advice on things I need to have in place if I get the go ahead:-) Many thanks Bernie

Moving to Dubai with dogs - advice/information please

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Dubai
Hi - we are moving to Dubai and want to bring our 2 cocker spaniels out with us. I would be really interested to hear people's views on your experience of not only living in Dubai with dogs but also how you found the transporting of your dogs and if you managed it yourself or used a company to do it for you. Any advice and information would be really appreciated. Thanks Bernie

Moving to Riyadh, can I bring ecigarettes / eliquids (for personal use)?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Riyadh
There doesn't seem to be much information concerning electronic cigarettes and liquids. Does anyone know whether it is allowed to bring a supply (for personal use) in ones luggage? There does seem to be local businesses selling ecigs/eliquids. If it is allowed, is there an upper limit to the volume of eliquid one can import (again, for personal use)? As I will not be travelling back to EU very often, it is tempting to bring a couple of 500ml bottles of nicotine base (72mg/ml) either Vegetable or Propylene -Glycol. Also various flavor concentrates (PG based)

South African Life Partner Visa or should I consider critical skills work permit?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: South Africa

Hi My partner is a South African citizen however he is currently on a work contract in the UK and will be returning back to SA next year. We have been in a relationship for more than 3 years however for most part it has been long-distance as I am working in India. We want to settle in SA now for which I had been considering either life partner visa or critical skills work permit as I am a professional architect and working in the environment sector. Firstly, I'd like to know the situation with job possibilities in the country and which type of visa should I prefer?

What do we need to have to qualify for residency in Spain?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Valencia
My partner and I are looking to move to Spain from the UK next year. We will have sold our house and have sufficient funds in the bank to see us through until our pensions in 10 years time. We are not proposing to work out there and will be buying a property outright. Dos this fulfill requirements for residency. Thx

Is it possible to rent an accommodation at Sutherland Shire before moving to Sydney?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Sydney
Hi, We are a family of 5 ( 3 school kids) planning to move to Sydney by the first week of January. We prefer to move to Sutherland shire as we would like to enrol the children in Lucas Heights Community School. Is it possible to lease accomdation or atleast enter into an agreement to hire an apartment/house even before landing in Sydney?....... Since the academic year starts by the end of January we need to rent a place in or around post code 2234 in order to enrol the children in the school of our choice hence we are a bit desperate about ensuring we get a place to stay there ......... Help

How can I get in touch with expats working at Al Wajh College in Saudi Arabia?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Saudi Arabia
Hi Recently I have been selected to work for Al Wajh Technical College through Wintec. I would be pleased to know any expats living there or who are planning to be there in August or September 2014. Please feel free to contact me on anjumnayeem91@yahoo.co.uk

Can I still get a job in Abu Dhabi although I once served a sentence for overstaying in the country?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi
Hello sir.I over stayed two years in Abdhabi and wen I was going back was caught at the airport and serverd my sentence and I came back but they never put anything in ma passport so can I go back through a company and work?its now 6months since I came back toa country.thanks

What are the best schools in Riyadh?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Riyadh
Hi, We are from INDIA and My Husband is in Riyadh Saudi Arabia now and we are following 3 months latter, we have 1 son preparing for kg level 2. I am wanting to know the best schools to try to apply to for my son.i am finding it really hard to find info or web page for other schools so i can download applications.

What are implications to my benefits if my partner moves to the Netherlands?

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: The Netherlands
My partner got made redundant and re-trained and is now in a position to be looking for jobs quite successfully in Holland, but as we are reliant on benefits and I can't join her straight away as my eldest son is at college what do we do? When do we tell people, do I continue to pay her NI contributions? etc

problems with pre exsisting illness and possible job with fedex in canada

Expert Info

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Calgary

I have been trying for many years now to move my family to Canada, as I have dual nationality. My husband needs an injection once a month for a pre exsisting illness, but this does not stop him working full time, or require him to be off his work. This has been the only set back as we couldnt affoard how much they charge for this. We were told that he might get covered but we would have to come over and sell the house and move the children, then wait for a decision. Which, when you have children is too risky.

Expat Health Insurance

Cigna Health Insurance

Cigna Global Health Insurance

Moving your family abroad can be intimidating, but learning about medical options such as family health insurance early on can help you successfully settle in.

  • Comprehensive family coverage, wherever you go
  • Paediatric coverage for well-child visits & immunisations
  • Access to dental and orthodontic care
  • 24/7 multilingual customer service

Get a quote from Cigna Global

Moving Internationally?

Sirelo logo

International Movers. Get Quotes. Compare Prices.

Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.

Get your free no-obligation quotes from select removal companies now!