Week 4 was life admin heavy. Driving licence, Emirates ID, phone contracts, and a painful lesson about document attestation that cost us £714 and could have been avoided.
Here's everything – so you don't make the same mistakes.
Family Fun First: Trampo Extreme & Green Planet
Trampo Extreme (Dubai Mall)
The boys got very sweaty and complained about their backs all week. Worth it.
Key benefit: It's drop-and-go. We did 60 minutes – the kids were supervised by attentive staff while we grabbed coffee and alone time.
- Located inside Dubai Mall
- Well-staffed, kids are safe
- Offers available – check their website
- Perfect for parents who need a breather
Green Planet Dubai
An indoor rainforest in a 150ft tall glass building. A tree at the center, and you work down through the different layers from the emergent canopy.
"Absolutely amazing. Boys had a great time. Definitely my favourite tourism site so far."
Amazing staff, educational, and genuinely fascinating. Highly recommend for families.
The Most Expensive Pint of Guinness
Quick note on drinking in Dubai: Yes, you can – at certain places.
We were at a bar in Dubai Marina. One pint of Guinness:
54 AED (~£11.50)
"The most expensive pint of Guinness I have ever bought in my life. Hence me nursing it for as long as I have been."
You can drink in Dubai. You probably need to take a loan out if you're drinking a lot.
Driving Licence Conversion
Covered this in detail in a dedicated post, but the summary:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Eye test | 180 AED |
| RTA processing | 870 AED |
| Total | ~1,050 AED |
| Time | 30 minutes |
Remember: Wear trousers. They have a rack of temporary clothes for people like me who didn't know the rules.
Sara's Medical & Emirates ID
Sara got her medical and biometrics done on Wednesday. Same day, she received her residency visa electronically.
Once the physical Emirates ID arrived, she could finally get independence:
- Phone contract
- Bank account
- Everything else that requires Emirates ID
The Emirates ID is your "do not pass go" card. You need it for everything.
Phone Contracts
Went to Du in Dubai Mall.
| Contract | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sara's contract | 225 AED/month |
| Boys' phones (minimal data, just a number) | 300 AED/year each (~£70) |
We wanted the boys to always have a way to contact us. The annual contract for minimal usage is great value.
The Attestation Nightmare (£714 Lesson)
This is where it got painful.
The Problem
Our visas are sorted. The boys need their visas sorted within 45 days of starting school. To sponsor children, you need:
- Marriage certificate – attested
- Birth certificates – attested
Attested in the country of origin.
Our Complication
We got married in Cyprus. Our marriage certificate is Cypriot. The birth certificates are from the UK.
Each document needs to be attested in its country of origin, then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
What We Had to Do
Went to VFS at Wafi Mall. Efficient service, but:
Cyprus marriage certificate: Needs to be legalized in Cyprus first. Still figuring out if someone needs to physically go there or if we can get it done remotely via the embassy.
UK birth certificates:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | £714 (for both children) |
| Timeline | 22 working days |
| Process | 4 steps – 3 in UK, 1 with UAE MOFA |
| Service | Fully done-for-you |
The Painful Truth
"Slightly annoying that we didn't do our homework ahead of time. The first three steps we could have got done very easily in the UK if we'd been better organized."
Lesson: Get your attestation sorted before you leave the UK. It's cheaper, faster, and less stressful.
Government Buildings: Don't Judge the Outside
Every government building I've been to – medical, biometrics, RTA – looks a bit run down on the outside.
Inside? Night and day.
"It's like stepping 5-10 years into the future. Best technology, amazing working environment, really clean."
Don't let the exterior put you off. The service is excellent.
Cost Summary: Week 4
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Driving licence conversion | ~1,050 AED (~£225) |
| Sara's phone contract | 225 AED/month |
| Boys' phone contracts (each) | 300 AED/year (~£70) |
| Birth certificate attestation (both boys) | £714 |
| Pint of Guinness | 54 AED (~£11.50) |
What We'd Do Differently
- Attestation in the UK – Do this before you leave. It's cheaper and faster.
- Research marriage certificate requirements – If you got married abroad, factor in extra steps.
- Pack trousers – For any government building visits.
- Budget for attestation – It's not cheap (£300-400 per document if done from UAE).
Key Takeaways
| Task | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Driving licence | 30 minutes | 1,050 AED |
| Emirates ID (with medical) | Same day | Included in visa fee |
| Birth certificate attestation | 22 working days | ~£350 each from UAE |
| Phone contract setup | 30 minutes | Varies |
If You're Planning to Move
Before you leave the UK:
- Get marriage certificate attested
- Get birth certificates attested
- Check if you were married abroad – extra steps required
When you arrive:
- Get Emirates ID first (unlocks everything)
- Then phone contract
- Then bank account
- Then driving licence
More Relocation Guides
- Driving licence conversion guide
- Full visa & costs FAQ
- Take the neighbourhood quiz
- Work with Sara – Learn from our mistakes
Life admin week done. Wallet lighter. Lessons learned. 💸