Rules for Maid Visa in Dubai , UAE

It is very important to know updated information/ rules on sponsoring a maid in UAE. Hiring a housemaid in Dubai, UAE can be a difficult and lengthy process if you don’t have the right kind of resources.

Main Points

You may have following questions about finding housemaid in UAE:

What are the Rules for housemaid visa in UAE
How can I get maid in UAE
What is the rights of housemaid in UAE
How do I get maid visa in UAE
How much is the salary of domestic housemaid in UAE

In this article, I have explained how to sponsor a maid visa in Dubai UAE. There are different methods of sponsoring a maid visa in Dubai UAE which makes your process easier in finding and getting a visa for a housemaid

Previously, an expatriate (especially head of the family) holding a residence visa in the UAE could obtain a visa for a domestic worker if he had a salary not less than Dh6,000 per month or a monthly salary of Dh5,000 with accommodation. This option was opened only for families lived in Dubai who wanted to sponsor maids from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

And now, if you are looking for sponsoring a full-time maid in Dubai, UAE has introduced a new policy for domestic help sponsorship.

As per The Executive Regulation of Federal law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers expatriate residents cannot hire a domestic helper unless on a temporary basis and not being under his/her sponsorship under provisions set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

What are the categories exempted from the above regulation?

The below categories exempted from the above regulation:

individuals and families who have a monthly income of 25,000 AED from known legal sources
persons permitted to sponsor domestic helpers under decisions of the UAE Cabinet
patients with accredited medical coverage, provided that their family members have a monthly income of over 15,000 AED
holders of senior designations such as consultants of different specialties, judges and legal counselors
any other cases defined by the competent minister according to the labour regulations.

However, this does not mean that those who do not earn Dh25,000 cannot hire full-time maids.

MoHRE replaced agencies for recruiting domestic helpers and introduced new services through Tadbeercentres to make sure that people only use legitimate channels to hire domestic workers to help for citizens and residents irrespective of their salaries and bank balance.

What is Tadbeer?

Tadbeer is a service whereby the government offers a highly transparent and centralized system for hiring domestic and household workers in Dubai and the rest of the UAE and promotes an ethical and fair hiring process based on experience and skills. Tadbeer centres are Operated under MoHRE, the Tadbeer service centres supply, train and recruit domestic workers in many fields.

Tadbeer center provides quick solutions for all processes involved in the government typing in Dubai, renewal and new visa services, entry permits for all domestic and household workers.

These centres guarantee a visa, orientation, and training to the workers. In this case, The resident who wishes to recruit a domestic worker will sign a contract with Tadbeer, a network of recruitment agents regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. By virtue of the contract, the resident will pay all costs involved in addition to a monthly salary.

Tadbeer centres offer a variety of packages for hiring domestic help and have tied up with professional agencies to make it easier the people to select a maid from the centers whom you can interview and hire the domestic helper.

What are the different packages provided by Tadbeer centers to hire domestic helper or a maid ? What is the cost ?

The centres offer a variety pf packages for hiring a domestic help and have tied up with professional agencies to make it a seamless process that lets you even select a maid from the centres, whom you can interview and take home then and there.

Package 1: Direct Sponsorship:

Recruit domestic helpers from outside the UAE and guarantee their performance and loyalty for 180 days, while their visa will be under direct sponsorship of the employing family.

The recruitment fee for this package varies for different nationalities.

Government fees for entry visas, accommodation and medical check-ups are also born by the sponsor.

Package 2: Direct Sponsorship after 6 months:

This package allows families to hire a worker on temporary basis for six months after which, the helper’s visa can be transferred under the family sponsorship on the agreement of both parties.

Employers who select this package on a monthly basis will pay monthly fees until the end of the six-month period. After the end of the six months, the workers will be allowed to work as resident workers for their employers or host families, subject to the approval of involved parties.

Package 3: Tadbeer Sponsorship:

This provides the option of hiring workers under the sponsorship of the Tadbeer Centre. This recruitment of domestic workers for two year period. The workers will not be allowed to work as resident workers for their employers or families after the set period.

Package 4: Time-based packages:

This package provides on demand services that allow families to hire a helper under the sponsorship of Tadbeer centers to provide flexible services according to the requirements of the customers.

Tadbeer centres that have been set up across the country to make sure that people only use legitimate channels to hire help irrespective of their salaries and bank balance. It protects the rights of the domestic workers so their well being is also looked after and also ensures sponsors and families do not get into any illegal situations leading to paper work issues.

The cost of hiring domestic workers has been set to suit families living in the UAE. Costs of the workers also vary depending on the country they are coming from due to change in the ticket prices and travel costs.

As confirmed by one of the Tadbeer service center agent , the Starting package monthly is AED 2500 approximate.

What are the services provided by Tadbeer centers when you hire the housemaid/nanny through Tadbeer:

Tadbeer facilitates the interviews between domestic workers and employers
Tadbeer provides on demand labour supply (full or part time)
Helps in issuing visas, medical test, Emirates IDs, tickets and easy transfer of sponsorship
Facilitating employers in getting health insurance for domestic workers
Training and orientation upon arrival
Picking up domestic workers from the airport and transporting them to the employers.
Medical checks for domestic workers.
Domestic workers and employers can contact Tadbeer centres in case they have any issues or questions

How can you get maid visa in Dubai through Tadbeer Centre?

Contact the Tadbeer center over the phone or initiate an online request for domestic help. You may also visit the centers and ask for more information or fill an application.
Provide them with the required information of domestic worker you need, work hours, live-in or not and any other specific skill sets you are looking for.
Tadbeer will share you the profiles of the candidates based on your specific requirements
Once you have shortlisted the profiles, interviews will be set up with the shortlisted candidates at Tadbeer center.
In case of an unsuccessful interview you will be refer to another suitable profile of the domestic worker.
Once you finalise the candidate Tadbeer will initiate the contractual processes and payment requirements.

Tadbeer will ensure all the basic rights are taken care within the contract. Also, Tadbeer makes sure worker and employer are satisfied and happy with their choice.

Families as employers can replace a worker immediately in case of disagreements. They are also not liable for any legal issues arising out of the worker’s misdemeanors, if any.

Workers also have a right to change the employer or request for replacement in case of dissatisfaction.

Tadbeer App allows users to access Tadbeer centres’ services and related information around the clock from any location, using smart devices.

Visiting Tadbeer Center and how it works at Tadbeer Centre?

Go straight to reception to collect a Qmatic token for your services requested.
Wait until your token number is called.
Provide the necessary document to the typist to process your document.

Please note: Each type of typing transaction has a step-by-step approach and is subject to approval by the approving authority ( MOHRE and GDRFA) prior to proceeding to the next step.

Documents required for getting Maid visa or Nanny visa through Tadbeer Center:

Client Document (Family)

Coloured Passport and visa copy (husband and wife)
Marriage certificate copy
Emirates ID copy (husband and wife)
Ejari or title deed or tenancy contract copy

Housemaid/nanny Documents:

Original Passport (8 months validity during the visa processing)
Existing visa copy (visit visa or visa cancellation document)
Emirates ID copy (if existing EID available)
Soft copy of the Passport size white background covering full face

Costs involved in getting 2 year maid visa or nanny visa through Tadbeer Center:

If you already have a profile through your own search and if the selected candidate is inside UAE you may reach Tadbeer centre to process the visa . Tadbeer centers are now offering competitive packages which is much cheaper than private sponsorship.

The initial amount (approximate) including VAT AED 11500/- which covers the below:

MOHRE Labour contract
Change of status
Medical Fitness Test
Medical Health Insurance
Emirates ID
Visa Stamping
WPS and Salary Card
Travel NOC provided by Tadbeer (Free to travel outside UAE with Client/Family)

In addition, Family will pay to Tadbeer center housemaid’s basic salary (as agreed between family and housemaid) plus service fees approximate AED 160 (as confirmed by one of the service agent) .

Tadbeer will process and transfer salary through WPS (Wage Protection System) as mandated by Ministry of Human Resource, to make sure all the Domestic Worker Salary is received fully and on time to protect the worker and the family.

Tadbeer will provide free ATM card and Bank Account for housemaid.

Process involved in getting maid visa at Tadbeer Center

Step 1: Opening sponsor file

Opening of a sponsor file if the family is not previously sponsored another dependent or maid.

Step 2: Entry Permit

Applying for an entry permit for housemaid. Deposit Payable for Expats only AED2,000 (family need provide IBAN number for deposit refund).

If the housemaid is outside UAE then the maid need to enter the country on an entry visa before the date mentioned in the entry Permit.

Step 3: Change of Status

If the maid is inside the country changing the visa status is required. This is the next step after getting an approval of Entry Permit (Inside country).

Step 4: Medical Fitness Test

Typing the medical test documents and visit the approved government health centres , get the medical fitness test done to get the certificate fit to work before stamping the residence visa. Please note that medical fitness certificate is valid for 90 days.

Step 4: Emirates ID

Application for emirates id and Biometrics for new applicable must be completed within 10 days from the Emirates ID application has been generated if not application will be invalid.

Step 5: Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is mandatory for housemaid. After getting the labour contract signed, getting FIT medical certificate Medical Insurance policy will be issued.

Step 6: Employment Contract

MOHRE employment contract needs to be printed for new visa applications or if the sponsor holds an old contract.

Step 7: Residency visa application

The final step is getting the residency visa stamped on maid’s passport.

What are the entitlements of a domestic worker in UAE?

Payment of wages, as set out in the standard contract, within 10 days from the day they are due
One day of paid rest per week
12 hours of rest per day, including 8 hours consecutive rest
30 days paid vacation per year
Medical insurance provided by the employer
30 days medical leave per year
Round trip ticket home every 2 years
Decent accommodation
Decent meals at the employer’s expense
Attire suitable for the job to be carried out, at the employer’s expense
Possession of their personal identification papers such as passports, IDs, etc.
either the employer or the worker can refer a dispute to Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry will attempt to resolve the dispute amicably within a period of two weeks. If it is not resolution within two weeks, then the matter will be referred to a court
Whether you are looking for a part-time or a full-time house maid, make sure you deal with registered companies who send maids on an hour-based system.

What is the Minimum Salary requirement for housemaid in UAE?

Every Country(origin of the Maid) has its own rules and regulation regarding the salary and age criteria. It is always better to check with the consulate or embassy.

India – AED 1,200
Sri Lanka – AED 825
The Philippines – AED 1,500
Bangladesh – AED 750
Indonesia – AED 800

Sponsoring Maid Visa or Nanny Visa under Direct Sponsorship

Once you’ve finalised your candidate, there are a number of documents to be sorted out to get the visa under your direct sponsorship. Only families are allowed to sponsor maids in Dubai and there is a minimum salary bracket for this too. You can get in touch with General Directory of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) for more details. Please note that only maids from the following countries can be sponsored: India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

You can initiate the process by visiting any of the Tasheel Centres ,Tadbeer, Tawseel carin the UAE or the GDRFA website.

As per the The Executive Regulation of Federal law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers expatriate residents cannot hire a domestic helper unless on temporary basis and not being under his/her sponsorship under provisions set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

What are the categories exempted from the above regulation?

The below categories exempted from the above regulation:

individuals and families who have a monthly income of 25,000 AED from known legal sources
persons permitted to sponsor domestic helpers under decisions of the UAE Cabinet
patients with accredited medical coverage, provided that their family members have a monthly income of over 15,000 AED
holders of senior designations such as consultants of different specialties, judges and legal counselors
any other cases defined by the competent minister according to the labour regulations.

However, this does not mean that those who do not earn Dh25,000 cannot hire full-time maids.

Tadbeer centres can also assist with maid visas in Dubai. The authorised agencies registered under Tadbeer can also assist with these services. However, the actual applications need to go through the General Directory of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). It can be completed by visiting any of the Tasheel Centres in the UAE or the GDRFA website

Documents required for sponsoring House Maid visa or servant visa under direct sponsorship:

Passport copy of the Sponsor with Valid Residence Stamp
Emirates ID
Attested Labour Contract for those who work in private sector OR sponsor’s original Salary Certificate in Arabic for those whose visas are direct from immigration.
Salary certificate showing a minimum salary under provisions set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Attested Tenancy Contract by Ejari. Minimum two bed-room apartment is required.
Passport copy of Maid (Passport must be valid for at least 6 months).
Recent passport size photo with white background (at least 4).
Affidavit from respective Embassy/Consulate certifying non-relationship, if maid is from same country of sponsor.
Marriage certificate and spouse passport and visa copy
Maid’s medical fitness certificate from her country in case if it is required.
Application duly filled from authorized typing centre

Note: Carry these documents with you whenever you make a trip to Tasheel Centres in Dubai.

The requirement may vary for sponsor UAE citizens or working in the government and private sector in the UAE. For this you may refer to the GDRFA website for the latest information.

Steps to apply Maid Visa under your direct sponsorship:

There are basically 5 steps in obtaining a residence visa for the maid.

Entry Permit
Medical Check up
Emirates ID
Labour Contract
Residence Visa stamping

Entry Permit for maids:

In order for you to apply for UAE residency visa for the maid, she will need to enter the country. This is why you will apply for Entry Permit.

Go to the Tasheel center and get the maid visa application typed or visit the GDRFA website
Typing Charges will be applicable. If you want it urgent you will have to pay additional feel.
Submit the typed application to the Immigration or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai to get the entry permit.
Pay AED 2,000 along with typed application as a deposit which will be refundable once the maid leave UAE.
Send the original or copy of the visa(Entry Permit) to the Maid .

Medical check for maid

After entering UAE you need to take your maid to medical fitness tests in any of visa recognized government medical center. Medical test to be done within 30 days after the maid arrival into Dubai.All maids will have to be screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, Pregnancy, Syphilis, TB and Leprosy.

The 3 doses for Hepatitis B vaccination will be given. One immediately, followed by one month and booster after six months.

All maids will have to do Blood Test plus X-Ray.After completing the medical tests the medical fitness results will be sent to DNRD electronically. The sponsor will get and SMS with this regard on the mobile phone. And may proceed for further process.

This cost for medical tests in Dubai is approximate AED 325 going up to AED 420 for delivery within 48 hours services and AED 520 for urgent services. Registration for the Emirates ID can be done at the medical fitness centres itself.

Emirates ID

After getting the medical result take your maid to submit the fingerprints and application to the Emirates ID authorized center.

Labour contract

After receiving the medical fitness report and the stamped Emirates ID application, you can take these documents along with the residence visa application filled by Tasheel centre and head to any GDRFA branch:

Labour contract is the official contract between you(sponsor) and the employee(maid). This will list the terms including the salary that is to be paid on a monthly basis. It is preferable to take your maid with your to save time.

Sponsor must declare to the officer what salary you propose to pay your maid as this will be entered into the contract.

Sponsor will receive 3 printouts of the unified contract which is to be signed by sponsor and Maid.

Request Maid to sign the contract.

The same is to be counter signed by the Officer.

Residence Vsa Stamp

A residency stamp with one-year will be placed in your maid’s Passport and domestic worker Card.

The cost for the residency stamp on passport would be approximate AED 5,500 for a year.

Your deposit of AED 2000 which you have kept with immigration while applying for entry permit will only be refunded when your housemaid permanently leaves the country. Keep all records of Maids visa plus sticker which is issued from immigration. The same can be use this to get a refund or show it to the residency officer as proof of deposit in any case.

To get the National ID or Emirates ID, you need to show the residency stamp to the typist to update the application or call EIDA and give them residency number.

Renewal of Maid Visa:

On a mutually agreed terms and if the servant would like to renew the visa, you will need to do the following procedure to renew the maid’s visa.

Go to the authorized service centers Tasheel\ Tadbeer, Tawseel car or the smart application and type the application for the renewal of Maid’s Residence Visa.
Pay an amount of AED 5,200 (approximate) for the renewal which is a annual cost of Maid’s Residence visa. In case if you want on urgent basis you need to pay an additional amount of AED 100.
The application is electronically transferred to the Ministry’s database for auditing and to ensure that the required conditions and documents are met.
If the requirements are not met or in the case of refusal, the customer shall be notified of the type of incompetence to be completed via the service centers Tasheel\ Tadbeer, Tawseel car or the smart application.
If the customer desires to follow up the application, he can access the information services from the Ministry’s website:mohre.gov.aeor via smart application.
Go to the authorized government hospital for the medical tests for Visa.
Submit renewal application along with the medical fitness result to immigration or DNRD branch.
The officer from DNRD will issue three contracts which is to be signed by sponsor and Maid. (It is always better to take your maid).

After submitting all the necessary documents you will receive the domestic worker card plus passport of maid with necessary residence visa stamped.

Documents required for renewal of housemaid visa:

Copy of Sponsor’s passport with valid visa page
Proof of Housing “lease contract” for employer “resident/ investor”.
A recent certificate of salary from the employer for the resident
Bank statement not less than 3 months for the sponsor
Copy of the passport of the housemaid
A colorful personal photo of the housemaid.
Original Emirates ID
Medical examination of the domestic worker.
Health Insurance for Domestic Employee of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Emirate of Dubai.
Identity registration form for the domestic worker.
Domestic worker work contract signed by both parties.
If the domestic worker is above 60 years, an exception form shall be attached to indicate the cause of the need

Cancellation of Maid Visa

If you are not satisfied with the performance of the maid or you would like to terminate maid visa, you may do so by:

visiting any of the service centers Tasheel\ Tadbeer, Tawseel car or the smart application and request to fill the cancellation form on your behalf and process
The application is electronically transferred for auditing and to ensure that the required conditions and documents are met
if the requirements are not met or in the case of refusal, the customer shall be notified of the type of incompetence to be completed via the service centers Tasheel\ Tadbeer, Tawseel car or the smart application.
If the customer desires to follow up the application, he can access the information services from the Ministry’s website: mohre.gov.aeor via smart application.

Required Documents:

Copy of Sponsor’s passport and valid visa page
Copy of the passport of the housemaid .
Emirates ID copy of Sponsor
Emirates ID copy of housemaid

After getting the cancellation form take maid to the airport on departure day along with cancellation form, original passport of Maid .

Submit one visa cancellation form at the DNATA cancellation counter and obtain the sticker. One to be used to get the refund of deposit of AED 2,000.

Check in maid and obtain boarding pass at the airport.

Affidavit from Indian Consulate certifying non-relationship (Non related Certificate) if the maid is from same nationality of the sponsor.

Required documents:

Passport copy of sponsor , spouse and maid
Original passport of sponsor and spouse
Affidavit Form will be filled by attestation centre staff (IVS)
Attestation fees

Attested Affidavit can be collected after one hour

Important NOTES:

Do not lose the receipt for the deposit. This is a cumbersome task get the refund in case you lose the original. However it is possible.
The fees mentioned above may change depending on the time and emirate of your residence. You are requested to be careful and not take this article as final.
Sponsor may need to obtain E-gate card in Dubai.
The procedure to apply for maid visa is similar in other emirate as well. However, the requirement for documents might change.
If you need any further clarifications regarding the steps to sponsoring a maid in Dubai, you can contact the GDRFA on 800-5111 or email [email protected].

Non Renewal of Domestic Worker Visa on Time and Fines

The expiry date on the visa, which is also mentioned on the Emirates ID, and the domestic worker’s labour card may not always be the same. You might face a fine for late renewal of their work contract, despite the visa being renewed within its required duration.

The reason sponsors may get a fine is there are situations when a sponsor may apply for the visa a few weeks or even a month after the labour card was issued. So, the date on which the visa is stamped is later than when the work contract was issued

A domestic worker’s visa is usually valid for one or two years, and the work contract is also issued for the same duration. During the renewal process, it is important to make sure that you renew the visa and labour card together to avoid any fines.

You can check the validity of the work contract or labour card of your domestic worker by visiting any of the registered typing centre near your area at least one month before the date of expiry mentioned on the Emirates ID or visa page. The typing centre agent will help you with the clear idea about the date for renewal mentioned on the MOHRE and Immigration systems and how soon you should renew the visa and work permit

Sponsors can renew their domestic worker’s visa by visiting an Amer centre in Dubai or Tas’heel centres that can be found across the UAE

Hope you find these procedures for applying for maid visa helpful.

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Sponsoring a Maid Visa in Dubai: A Simple Guide to Requirements and Process