Relocating With Dependants to the Gulf: Visas, Schooling & Documents — A Calm Guide for Western-Trained Clinicians

The family evidence pack (legalise → then translate → one colour PDF each)

• Marriage certificate (for spouse sponsorship).

• Birth certificates for each child.

• Police clearance (as required by pathway).

• Passport pages (all travellers).

• Vaccination records (school/visa use).

• Latest school reports and transfer certificates (children).

• Tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq/Attested lease) once secured.

• Employment contract/offer noting sponsor and salary (some pathways request).

Use passport-exact names (all middle names) and build one PDF per document: Original → Legalisation/Apostille → Sworn translation.

Country snapshots (plain English)

UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)

• Path: Employee obtains work visa → medical fitness → residency → Emirates ID; then sponsors spouse/children.

• Housing: many schools and some visa steps expect a tenancy (Ejari/Tawtheeq) in the sponsor’s name.

• ID: digital Emirates ID unlocks bank, insurer enrolment, and access control while the physical card prints.

Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and beyond)

• Path: Employer issues work visa; upon arrival complete medical, biometrics, Iqama; then family visit/iqama sponsorship.

• Schooling: private international schools; transfer certificates often required on official letterhead.

• Housing: tenancy contract typically needed before dependent iqamas progress.

Qatar (Doha)

• Path: Work visa → medical exam → QID; then sponsor family.

• Schooling: place early; transfer certificates + immunisation records are standard.

(Rules evolve; treat these as signals, not promises and check the live portal before booking.)

Schooling: timing, documents and reality

• T-90 to T-120: research and contact schools; shortlist 2–3 by curriculum (UK/IB/US) and area.

• T-60: prepare transfer certificates, last two report cards, passport copies, immunisation record.

• T-30: hold a provisional slot; confirm once your residency/ID is issued and tenancy is signed.

• Area logic: choose school first, then housing within a 15–25 minute morning drive.

Housing & tenancy (what actually matters)

• Tenancy in sponsor’s name (Ejari/Tawtheeq/attested lease) is a frequent dependency for family visas and schooling.

• Clarify district cooling and utilities; budget summer peaks.

• If on nights/on-call, prioritise reliable 15–20 min commute over views.

• Keep parking predictable and safe—especially with children.

Health insurance and benefits

• Confirm if your package covers dependants or provides a cash allowance.

• Ensure your insurer network includes your own facility and nearby paediatrics.

• Add a maternity rider only if relevant; check waiting periods.

A calm T-timeline (copy/paste)

• T-90: Begin document legalisation/translation; shortlist schools; gather vaccination records.

• T-60: Book initial travel; arrange temporary accommodation for Week 1; shortlist housing.

• T-30: Land sponsor first (or together): work visa → medical fitness → residency → ID.

• T-15: Sign tenancy; open bank; insurer enrolment; school confirms seat pending IDs.

• T+0 to T+14: Submit family sponsorship; biometrics/medical as required; collect IDs; finalise school start dates.

Common pitfalls—and calm fixes

• Names don’t match across documents → add change-of-name/marriage document in the same PDF; reissue school letters in passport-exact format.

• Translated before legalised → redo translation after legalisation.

• No tenancy → many steps pause; use short-term housing only as a bridge to a lease in sponsor’s name.

• School waitlists → contact two alternates and hold rolling options; consider a temporary curriculum bridge (online) if term start is tight.

• Insurance gap for family → pay cash for urgent visits, keep receipts, then enrol dependants the week IDs issue.

Copy-paste checklists

Visa & documents

• Marriage/birth certificates legalised → translated → single PDFs

• Police clearance within validity (if required)

• Passport-exact names checked on all forms

• Sponsor contract/offer and salary letter saved

Housing

• Tenancy in sponsor’s name; utilities/district cooling set up

• Commute timed at school start and rota change hours

Schooling

• Transfer certificates, reports, immunisations ready

• Admissions contact, deposit and uniform/transport plan documented

Insurance

• Family added to plan or cash equivalent confirmed

• Provider network checked for paediatrics near home/school

Short FAQs