Topic Summary
1. Maid Visa Requires a Domestic Worker Contract via MOHRE
Employers sponsoring a domestic worker in Dubai must register a MOHRE-approved domestic worker contract before the visa can be processed, protecting both parties under UAE labour law.
2. Minimum Sponsor Salary Is AED 10,000
To sponsor a domestic worker visa in Dubai, the employer must earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 and provide accommodation, meals, and annual return air ticket as part of the contract.
3. Total Cost Ranges from AED 5,000 to AED 7,000
The full cost of sponsoring a domestic worker visa, including agency fees, medical test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping, typically ranges between AED 5,000 and AED 7,000 for a new hire.
4. Maid Visa Is Valid for Two Years
Domestic worker residence visas in the UAE are issued for two years and can be renewed, provided the sponsor continues to meet income and accommodation requirements at the time of renewal.
5. Worker Is Protected Under UAE Domestic Worker Law
Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 grants domestic workers in the UAE rights including rest periods, annual leave, end-of-service gratuity, and protection from contract termination without proper notice.
In 2026, over 750,000 domestic workers are employed across UAE households, making the maid visa Dubai one of the most frequently processed residency permits in the country (u.ae, 2024). The minimum sponsor salary threshold sits at AED 6,000 per month (ICP, 2024). A standard two-year residence visa costs government fees of roughly AED 3,040 before insurance and deposit. The MOHRE security deposit is a fixed AED 2,000, refundable at contract end. Realistic first-year costs via direct sponsorship run AED 8,000 to AED 10,000; via a Tadbeer centre, AED 12,000 to AED 17,000. Entry permits are typically issued within 48 hours of an online ICP application.
Yet a significant share of sponsoring employers arrive at the Tadbeer centre or ICP portal underprepared, facing delays, rejected applications, or unexpected costs that push the total well above AED 15,000. This guide walks you through every stage of obtaining a maid visa Dubai: who qualifies as a sponsor, how the Tadbeer route differs from direct sponsorship, the full cost breakdown including deposit and insurance, the document checklist, medical and Emirates ID steps, your legal obligations as an employer, and what happens at renewal or if the worker decides to leave.
What Is a Maid Visa Dubai and Who Qualifies as a Sponsor
A maid visa Dubai is a UAE residence permit issued to a domestic worker under the direct sponsorship of a UAE resident employer. It covers roles including housemaids, cooks, nannies, drivers, and gardeners. The sponsoring employer must meet minimum salary and accommodation criteria set by ICP and MOHRE.
Roles Covered Under the Domestic Worker Visa UAE
The domestic worker visa UAE is a distinct visa category, separate from a standard employment or work permit. It sits under the private household sponsorship framework, which means different fee structures, contract templates, and legal protections apply. Roles classified under this category fall within ISIC Section T: activities of households as employers of domestic personnel.
Eligible occupations include:
Housemaid / household cleaner
Cook
Nanny / childminder
Private driver
Gardener
Private nurse
Personal security guard (household)
Workers must be nationals of countries on the UAE's approved sending-country list, which MOHRE updates periodically. A Dubai-based family sponsoring a Filipino nanny, for example, applies under the domestic worker category rather than a standard work permit. That distinction affects the fee structure, the MOHRE contract template used, and the worker's entitlements under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022.
Minimum Salary and Housing Requirements for the Sponsoring Employer
To qualify as a sponsor, you must hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. The salary thresholds set by ICP are:
AED 6,000 per month (without employer-provided housing)
AED 5,000 per month (when employer-provided accommodation is confirmed)
An expat employee earning AED 5,500 per month with company-provided accommodation meets the threshold because the housing benefit counts toward the calculation. You'll need to evidence this with an accommodation letter on company letterhead.
Accommodation for the worker is a legal requirement, not optional. You must provide a private room within your home or a separate furnished unit. UAE nationals face no formal salary floor but must still demonstrate financial capacity to ICP. For UAE residency visa holders who are also business owners, proof of company income or a director's salary certificate serves the same purpose.
Tadbeer Maid Visa Versus Direct Sponsorship: Which Route Is Right for You
The Tadbeer maid visa route uses a MOHRE-licensed UAE domestic worker centre that handles recruitment, visa processing, medical tests, and contracts on your behalf. Direct sponsorship means you manage the process yourself through ICP. Tadbeer suits employers who want an end-to-end service; direct sponsorship is cheaper if you are recruiting independently.
How the Tadbeer Centre Route Works
Tadbeer centres are licensed by MOHRE and operate under a regulated fee schedule. You sign a tripartite contract with the centre and the worker; Tadbeer holds responsibility for worker welfare during the placement period. The bundled fee typically covers:
Worker sourcing and pre-screening in the origin country
Entry permit application
Medical fitness test
Emirates ID application
Two-year residence visa stamping
MOHRE contract registration
Total Tadbeer fees range from AED 7,000 to AED 15,000 depending on worker nationality and the service package selected. A Dubai family recruiting an Ethiopian housemaid through a Tadbeer centre, for instance, typically pays approximately AED 9,500 as a bundled fee covering all the above steps. Most centres offer a 90-day replacement guarantee if the worker leaves or proves unsuitable during that window.
Direct Sponsorship Through ICP: When It Makes Sense
Direct sponsorship is the better option when you've already identified the worker, perhaps someone already in the UAE on a visit visa, or a referral from a previous employee. You apply through the ICP smart services portal (available 24/7) or at an Amer or Tas'heel service centre in Dubai. All medical, Emirates ID, and contract steps become your responsibility, but you can save AED 2,000 to AED 4,000 compared with a full Tadbeer package.
An employer whose previous housekeeper returned home and recommended a family member can recruit that individual directly, processing the entry permit via ICP online without engaging a Tadbeer centre at all. For guidance on MOHRE processes, the MOHRE inquiry portal is a useful starting point.
Tadbeer Centre vs Direct Sponsorship: Key Differences
Feature | Tadbeer Centre Route | Direct Sponsorship (ICP) |
|---|---|---|
Who manages the process | MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre handles all steps end-to-end | Employer manages every step independently via ICP portal or Amer centre |
Typical total cost | AED 12,000 to AED 17,000 first-year (agency fee included) | AED 8,000 to AED 10,000 first-year (government fees + deposit + insurance) |
Worker sourcing | Centre recruits and pre-screens candidates from approved origin countries | Employer sources worker independently (referral, visit visa holder, transfer) |
Contract template | Tripartite contract between employer, Tadbeer, and worker; centre registers with MOHRE | Bilateral MOHRE standard contract; employer registers directly on Domestic Worker Portal |
Replacement guarantee | Typically 90 days; centre provides a replacement at no extra cost if worker leaves | No replacement guarantee; employer bears full cost of re-recruiting |
Best suited for | Employers who want a managed service and have not identified a specific worker | Employers who have already identified the worker and want to minimise cost |
How to Sponsor a Maid in Dubai: 6 Steps From Application to Emirates ID
To sponsor a maid in Dubai, apply for an entry permit through ICP, arrange the worker's arrival, complete the medical fitness test, obtain health insurance, register the employment contract with MOHRE, and apply for the residence visa and Emirates ID. The full process typically takes two to four weeks once the worker is in the UAE.
Step 1: Apply for the Entry Permit and Step 2: Worker Arrives in the UAE
Step 1: Submit the entry permit application via the ICP smart services portal or at an Amer centre. You'll need to attach your Emirates ID (both sides), passport copy, salary certificate, and an Ejari-registered tenancy contract or accommodation letter. Online applications are typically processed within 48 hours, with the permit emailed directly to you. An employer in Jumeirah who applies online on a Monday, for example, can usually expect the permit in their inbox by Wednesday morning.
Step 2: The entry permit is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The worker must enter the UAE within that window. Once she arrives, you have a further 60 days to complete the status change and residency stamping. Overstaying that second 60-day window triggers daily fines, so calendar reminders are worth setting from day one. The worker enters on the entry permit itself; she does not need a separate visit visa.
Step 3: Medical Fitness Test and Step 4: Health Insurance
Step 3: The worker must complete a medical fitness test at a MOHAP-approved centre. The test screens for tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other communicable diseases. At a MOHAP-approved clinic in Deira, the test costs approximately AED 320 and results are ready within 24 hours, linked electronically to the worker's ICP file. A failed test prevents visa issuance; the worker must return home.
Step 4: Health insurance is mandatory before the residence visa is stamped. In Dubai, the policy must be DHA-compliant. Minimum plans for domestic workers start at approximately AED 600 to AED 700 per year. You, as the employer, are legally responsible for providing and renewing that cover throughout the visa period, it's not optional, and an insurer can issue a policy certificate same-day if you need to move quickly.
Step 5: MOHRE Contract Registration and Step 6: Residence Visa and Emirates ID
Step 5: Register the employment contract with MOHRE via the Domestic Worker Portal. This is mandatory under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. The contract must specify the wage, working hours, annual leave, and rest days. MOHRE provides a bilingual Arabic/English template; a family in Abu Dhabi can complete registration in under 20 minutes using it.
Step 6: Submit the residence visa application through ICP. Biometrics are taken at an authorised typing centre and the visa is stamped in the passport. The Emirates ID application runs simultaneously; the card is delivered by post within 5 to 10 working days. The standard domestic worker residence visa runs for two years.
Maid Visa Cost Dubai: Full Fee Breakdown Including Deposit and Insurance
The maid visa cost in Dubai typically ranges from AED 5,000 to AED 7,500 for government fees alone, covering the entry permit, medical test, residence visa, and Emirates ID. Adding the MOHRE security deposit of AED 2,000 and annual health insurance of approximately AED 650 brings the realistic first-year total to AED 8,000 to AED 10,000 via direct sponsorship.
Government Fees You Cannot Avoid
Here's a breakdown of the core government fees for a maid visa Dubai processed through the ICP portal and an Amer centre:
Entry permit: AED 500 to AED 700 (online vs. service centre)
Status change fee (in-country): AED 650
Residence visa stamping: AED 1,000 to AED 1,200
Emirates ID (two-year card): AED 370
Medical fitness test: AED 320
A family processing the maid visa Dubai entirely online and through an Amer centre in Dubai Marina pays a combined government fee of approximately AED 3,040 before insurance and deposit. That figure is the floor, not the ceiling.
The MOHRE Security Deposit and Annual Insurance Cost
MOHRE requires a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 paid at contract registration. It's returned when the employment relationship ends without dispute, so think of it as a held amount rather than a cost. DHA-compliant domestic worker health insurance plans start at approximately AED 600 per year.
A Sharjah-based family who used direct sponsorship and purchased cover through a DHA-approved insurer paid a total first-year cost of AED 9,200. Year-two renewal costs are meaningfully lower because the deposit is already held: you're mainly paying visa renewal and insurance renewal fees.
What Documents Do You Need to Sponsor a Domestic Worker Visa UAE
To sponsor a domestic worker visa UAE, you need the employer's Emirates ID and passport copy, a salary certificate or bank statement, a tenancy contract or title deed, the worker's passport, a passport-sized photo, and the signed MOHRE employment contract. Additional attestation may be required for workers from certain sending countries.
Employer Documents Required at Application
Valid Emirates ID (both sides) and passport copy
Salary certificate on company letterhead, or three months of bank statements showing consistent income above AED 6,000
Ejari-registered tenancy contract (mandatory for Dubai tenants) or property title deed
Accommodation letter from employer if company-provided housing applies
Family book (khulasat al-qaid) if the sponsor is a UAE national
An expat manager whose company pays his rent directly can provide an accommodation letter on company letterhead alongside his salary certificate, satisfying the ICP housing requirement without an Ejari document in his own name. Worth flagging: ICP may request additional documents depending on the emirate and the worker's nationality, so check the portal before your appointment.
Worker Documents and Attestation Requirements
Passport with minimum 6 months' validity beyond the intended entry date
Recent passport-sized photograph on a white background
Police clearance certificate from the home country (required for some nationalities)
Educational or experience certificates if required by a bilateral agreement
Authenticated employment contract for workers from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, and certain other countries
A Filipino domestic worker's employment contract requires authentication by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) before she departs Manila. The Dubai employer receives a copy of the authenticated contract for MOHRE registration. Country-specific requirements like this are easy to miss, so confirm with the worker's embassy well before the travel date.
What Are Your Legal Obligations as an Employer Under UAE Domestic Worker Law
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, UAE employers must provide domestic workers with a written contract, a private room, three meals per day, annual leave of at least 30 days, one rest day per week, sick leave, and return air tickets home. Wage payment through the Wages Protection System is not yet mandatory for domestic workers, but MOHRE strongly encourages it as best practice.
Rights Employers Regularly Get Wrong
Rest day: One paid rest day per week. Compensatory pay instead of the day off requires the worker's written agreement.
Annual leave: 30 calendar days per year, not 30 working days. Employers who count working days are underpaying.
Sick leave: 30 days per year (15 days full pay, 15 days half pay) after three months of service.
Passport retention: Confiscating a worker's passport is illegal under UAE law. MOHRE can prosecute employers who do this.
Overtime: Hours above the agreed daily schedule must be compensated. The standard working day is 9 hours including a one-hour break.
A Dubai family who gave their housekeeper every Friday off but deducted it from her annual leave entitlement was found non-compliant during a MOHRE inspection. The rest day is separate from, and in addition to, the 30-day annual leave. That's a distinction many employers miss.
End-of-Service Gratuity and Repatriation Obligations
End-of-service gratuity equals one month's wage for each completed year of service, pro-rated for partial years after the first. A worker completing three full years on a monthly wage of AED 1,500 earns a gratuity of AED 4,500, plus the cost of a one-way flight home.
The employer must fund the return air ticket at contract end, or if the employer terminates without cause. If the worker resigns or abandons employment, the ticket obligation may shift depending on length of service; check MOHRE guidance for the specific scenario. The AED 2,000 security deposit can be used to offset unpaid entitlements if the employer defaults.
Is the Wages Protection System mandatory for domestic workers?
As of 2026, the Wages Protection System (WPS) is not legally mandatory for domestic workers in the UAE, though MOHRE strongly
References
Citations
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.. mohre.gov.ae. MOHRE UAE, 2025.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.. icp.gov.ae. ICP UAE, 2025.
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.. gdrfad.gov.ae. GDRFA Dubai, 2025.
UAE Government Portal.. u.ae. UAE Government, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
