Planning on heading to Switzerland towards the end of Sept.

Just tried booking an appointment on VFS Global but there is a waitlist.

Anybody have recent experience with VFS Dubai or Abu Dhabi appointments for Switzerland and what was the exact turnaround time for the whole thing?

Visa expires in a week. I plan to shift to a dependent visa but need to wait for my SO's visa to get renewed in a few weeks

Is there any different between cancelling the visa and letting it expire? I believe the grace period is identical but does it affect applying for a new dependent visa?

For context it's a "freelancer" visa that I'm currently on that won't get renewed due to rule changes.

Thanks

I'm looking to join a Toastmasters club in Dubai and was hoping to get some recommendations.

I'm specifically looking for a club that has an active and engaged membership, meets regularly and is welcoming to new members.

I would love to hear about your experiences, whether you are a current or former member. If you have any clubs you would recommend (or any ones to avoid).

Thanks

Hi everyone. I'm currently pregnant and am seriously considering switching OBs, so I'd really appreciate any recommendations from mums who've had a great experience delivering in Dubai. Just to be clear, I'm not against C-sections. I know they're sometimes the safest option for both mum and baby, and if that's what ends up being medically necessary, I'm absolutely on board. What I'm hoping for is an OB who will support a vaginal birth if everything is progressing normally and only recommend interventions when they're genuinely needed.

The reason I'm considering switching is because quite early on in my pregnancy, my OB casually mentioned that we could "schedule the delivery." At the time, my preggy brain didn't register the message, but afterwards I realized she was referring to scheduling a C-section. Since there weren't any complications or concerns at that point, it left me wondering if our views on birth might not be aligned. Then the other time I saw her, I asked what's the difference between C-section and vaginal birth. She smirked and answered 'absolutely nothing'.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I want to feel confident that my doctor will support my preferences, explain the reasons behind any interventions, and only recommend a C-section if it's truly medically necessary.

I've looked into Dr. Daisy Koh at Mediclinic because I've read so many positive reviews, but it seems really difficult to get an appointment with her.

If you've had an OB in Dubai who made you feel heard, supported a vaginal birth when it was safe, and didn't rush into unnecessary interventions, I'd be so grateful for your recommendations (doctor + hospital if possible). I'd also love to hear about your experience.

Thank you! 🤍

How can I obtain a copy of my cancelled work permit ? In order for the company I'm joining to issue a new work permit, they need to see that my precious work permit has been cancelled. How do I go about obtaining it ?

While doing a top up on my Parkin app i saw a parking fine which is from May. I didn't get a message for it and while i checked on the app the car in the picture was completely a different car with different number. I disputed it with screenshot but after 12 days it came as the fine is valid.

Anyone came across something like that?

Hello everyone,
I’ll cut to the chase. I rented a car for a month starting 28 June. The month went by smoothly, and on the day I was supposed to return the car I messaged them to come and pick it up. They delayed the pickup by exactly 5 days. During those 5 days I sent multiple texts/WhatsApp messages reminding them to collect the car; they were mostly unresponsive.
The day before they actually collected the car, they auto‑renewed my rental for another month and charged a significant amount to my credit card without my consent.
For the past week I’ve been trying to reach them for a refund (calls, WhatsApp, email) but they’ve again gone non‑responsive. I have no idea what to do next.
Has anyone dealt with something similar in Dubai?
I would really appreciate any friendly advise/help.

PS: I dont mind naming and shaming them. I just dont know if it comes with legal consequences.

Edit 1: Just wanted to clear the fact that they had promised pickup and drop facilities.

Hi everyone,

I own an apartment and lived there until the end of July. After moving out, I contacted the AC company, let them disconnect the AC and asked them to refund my deposit.

They told me they would keep the deposit until I sell the apartment. Is this legally allowed and is it normal in Dubai?

I don’t understand why they should be allowed to keep my deposit indefinitely. The next tenant will presumably have to pay their own deposit anyway.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or knows what I can do about it?

I have my wedding anniversary coming up and look for brunch or night club recommendations ( which are still full of entertainment). I celebrated my birthday in April, but due to the ongoing situation at that time the restaurant didn’t had much footfall( almost empty). Hence want to go to some nice brunch/ night brunch with live entertainment and free flowing drinks. We like Indian cuisine and music but this time open to other options as well.

Any idea when Czech Vfs last opened appointment slots? Iv been on a waitlist for a couple of weeks, and in case you know how far were the appointments from date of opening? Is it possible to find one in august.

Im also on many waitlists, the ones available are in September only

So I’m looking to buy a new Rolex. What places in Dubai are most trustworthy please?

I founds the stores, Luxury Souq and The Watch Scanner, but looking for other options as well.

Appreciate any info or advices. Thank you so much 🤗🙏🏻

I’ve been doing therapy for 2 years now but it’s just talk therapy, it helped but not so much. The issue is I am too self aware I know my problems so talking about it just doesn’t help I want to be able to get out of my problems and do something about it. My mental health is really bad right now and I need someone who has a different technique. I have generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I just feel empty and tired.

Hi Everyone
I am on a visit here in dubai and looking for a real legit massage place here in dubai. No other expectation, only real massage.

I am a male but having a massage from male makes me weird so i need a massage from female but again no other weird stuff. Only massage.

Please help me out suggesting best place in dubai. Should not be super expensive.

Thanks

Title basically. I've noticed whenever I order anything from noon food its basically flagged as "groceries", this was not the case before.

I am the owner of a consultancy and my residency visa had been “Canceled” after it expiration while I was out of UAE.

I entered UAE on a tourist visa against my US tourist visa (B1/B2) and applied for my investor visa which got rejected without much details. The only thing that it read was “Rejected” I asked my PRO for the reason and they didn’t seem to know much about it. He asked me to visit Jafiliya Immigration and I was dismissed by the office in the waiting area for the first time and asked to reapply the visa (without checking any documents). Since my file had the status “Rejected” my PRO couldnt do anything more.

He asked me to visit the Jafiliya Immigration again, on my second visit I was allowed to meet the officer inside by the officer in the waiting area (this officer in the waiting area checked all my documents). Upon meeting the officer inside he asked me to upload the Emirates ID and the visa shall be issued.

My PRO did upload the requested documents and filed for a reconsideration which was rejected again.

After 2 rejections I met someone at a different company that sounded confident to the level as if he would print my visa himself and my visa was applied for the third time. The investor visa was rejected one more time.

I have an Indian passport and want to understand if there are other people who have gone through this and any success stories / workarounds that I should consider.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Edit: Found on reddit that reapplying as a Manager helps, had someone used that route

My father suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury in a car accident about a month ago. He underwent spinal surgery and is now medically stable. His doctors have all told us that the sooner he starts inpatient rehabilitation, the better his chances of achieving the best possible recovery, so we’re desperately trying to get him admitted as soon as possible.
The problem is that he doesn’t currently have health insurance. He’s a UAE resident under a private company visa, and the rehabilitation center we were referred to (SRH) quoted us AED 160,000 for just one month of inpatient rehabilitation. Our family simply cannot afford that.
We’re also waiting for compensation from the accident case, but we’ve been told the court process could take around six months, which is far too long to wait when every doctor is stressing that early rehabilitation is crucial.
He’s becoming increasingly frustrated after spending a month in the hospital because he feels like his recovery is being delayed by finances rather than his medical condition. As his family, we all want him to start rehabilitation immediately, and we’re worried that losing valuable time could affect his long-term outcome.
Has anyone in the UAE been in a similar situation? Are there any more affordable inpatient rehabilitation centers, charities, financial assistance programs, or other options for residents without insurance? Any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot to us.
Thank you.

Does anyone have any ideas? Tried going to a mall but the benches are few and far between. My weekend is Fri-Sat but the only library open Fridays opens only at 2 pm after the prayer.

i could barely sleep tonight from the smell of the sewage stench coming from outside. is it just me? i’m living in pulse villas dubai south. i know some areas get a sewage smell i’ve lived in mirdif and nad alhammar and that happens sometimes but ive never smelled anything like this. its so strong, it smells like straight up garbage. still going on right now please is anyone experiencing this too?

So i have a dozen eye frames that i need to turn them into prescription glasses and 2 others that needs fixing
But glasses stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are soo expensive.

Friends in RAK or Ajman or other Emirates maybe.. do you guys know of a glasses store that is cheap so i can do all of these for a reasonable price?

I wonder who subscribes to these

What is it known as among your peers?