UAE Domestic Worker Visa: Essential Guide to Hiring Maids and Nannies, Costs, and Requirements
The process of hiring domestic help in the UAE has become increasingly streamlined, allowing families to effectively manage their household needs. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) facilitates this process through a network of Tadbeer centres located throughout the emirates. This guide outlines the essential steps, requirements, and costs associated with sponsoring household help in the UAE.
Understanding Domestic Workers
In the context of UAE law, a domestic worker encompasses anyone employed to perform household tasks for a family. The UAE’s Domestic Labour Law protects the rights and obligations of these workers, ensuring they are informed about their contracts, job responsibilities, and entitlements to rest periods. This law applies to a range of occupations, including but not limited to private agricultural engineers.
Rights and Protections for Domestic Workers
The Domestic Labour Law establishes a framework that balances the rights of both employers and domestic workers. It prohibits several practices, including:
- Employment of individuals under 18 years of age.
- Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or disability.
- Any form of sexual harassment.
- Forced labor or human trafficking.
- Assigning tasks outside the agreed contract without MOHRE approval.
According to the Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022, domestic workers are entitled to:
- Timely payment of wages within ten days of the due date.
- One day of paid rest per week.
- A minimum of 12 hours of rest per day, including at least eight consecutive hours.
- Paid annual leave of no less than 30 days.
- A round-trip ticket home every two years.
- Up to 30 days of sick leave per year.
- Retention of personal identification documents.
Steps to Hire a Domestic Worker
To initiate the recruitment and visa application process, prospective employers must visit a Tadbeer centre. These MOHRE-authorized centres, with 136 branches across the UAE, provide comprehensive services for hiring foreign domestic workers. Tadbeer centres handle various aspects of the process, including opening a sponsor file, managing visa status changes, conducting medical fitness tests, and registering Emirates IDs.
Finding a Tadbeer Centre
To locate a nearby Tadbeer centre, follow these steps:
- Visit the MOHRE website: mohre.gov.ae.
- Click on ‘Services’ and navigate to Approved Service Centres.
- Select ‘Domestic Workers Service Centres’ to find a convenient location.
Visa Application Process
The visa application process typically takes between two to four weeks. Expatriate residents can apply for a one-year domestic worker visa, while Emiratis, GCC nationals, and golden visa holders may apply for a two-year visa.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Certain prerequisites must be met to hire domestic workers:
- Minimum Salary Requirement: Expat sponsors must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 25,000, which can be a combined household income. This threshold may be lower for medical necessities, but it is advisable to confirm with a Tadbeer centre.
- Accommodation: Employers must provide suitable accommodation, meals, and clothing for domestic workers, ensuring adequate living standards.
- Health Insurance: Sponsors are required to provide health insurance that meets minimum coverage standards, regulated by the Dubai Health Authority in Dubai and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi in the capital.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Having the correct documentation is crucial for a smooth application process. Required documents include:
- A copy of the sponsor’s passport and residence visa.
- The sponsor’s Emirates ID.
- Ejari or registered tenancy contract.
- Salary certificate or labor contract.
- A bank statement from the last six months.
Step 3: Pay Fees and Obtain an Entry Permit
After gathering the necessary documents, visit a Tadbeer centre to submit them. The centre will apply for the worker’s visa and, if applicable, an entry permit for those coming from abroad. If the domestic worker is already in the UAE, they can transfer their visa without exiting the country.
Tadbeer centres offer various fee packages based on family needs, the emirate of application, the nationality of the domestic worker, and the type of contract. Costs can range from AED 2,500 for basic services to AED 7,000 for comprehensive packages, which may include health insurance, medical tests, and other services.
Step 4: Medical Fitness Test
Upon arrival in the UAE, domestic workers must undergo a medical fitness test at a Tadbeer centre. This test is mandatory for all domestic workers before a residence visa is issued. It includes blood tests and a chest X-ray for tuberculosis. Additional tests for syphilis and pregnancy are required for female domestic workers.
Step 5: Apply for Emirates ID
New applicants must complete a biometric scan and register for their Emirates ID at a Tadbeer centre. This must be done within ten days of applying; otherwise, the application will be invalid.
Step 6: Sign the Contract
After submitting the Emirates ID application and receiving the ‘Fit to work’ certificate, both parties can sign the labor contract. This contract is sent to MOHRE for verification, which also activates the mandatory health insurance policy for the domestic worker.
Step 7: Visa Stamping
The final step involves the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) stamping the new residence visa in the domestic worker’s passport.
For further details, visit the source: www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-04-21 18:16:00 • By the Editorial Desk
