How to Apply a Maid Visa in Dubai, UAE: Costs & Requirements

If you’re planning to work as a domestic helper in Dubai, start with securing a maid visa. This visa enables you to legally live and work in Dubai, providing access to a range of opportunities in one of the most vibrant regions in the Middle East.

The process involves several key steps: collecting necessary documents and undergoing a health checkup are just the beginning. It’s equally vital to understand the roles and responsibilities of a maid in Dubai to fully prepare for this career path.

Let’s explore how you can streamline your journey to obtaining a maid visa in Dubai and turn your aspirations into reality.

Advantages of Hiring a Maid in Dubai, UAE

For busy entrepreneurs and business owners, time is a valuable asset. Many opt to hire domestic help, such as a nanny or maid, to manage household tasks efficiently. In the UAE, employing a maid is a common practice due to several benefits:

1. Cost-Effectiveness

Contrary to popular belief, hiring a maid in Dubai or the UAE is more affordable than expected. While employers must comply with minimum wage regulations, the overall cost is often lower than hourly agency rates. Securing a Dubai maid visa also ensures legal employment, avoiding unnecessary fines or complications.

2. Building Trusting Relationships

Employing a live-in maid under a housemaid visa in Dubai promotes a strong bond of trust. Many maids become cherished household members, offering stability and reducing disruptions in daily life.

3. Enhanced Focus on Business

By hiring a maid and obtaining a maid visa in Dubai, business owners can delegate household responsibilities, freeing time to focus on professional growth and personal well-being. This balance leads to improved productivity and a better work-life dynamic.

4. Versatile Domestic Assistance

A maid holding a valid Dubai visa offers a versatile range of services, including cleaning, cooking, and childcare. This all-in-one solution is both convenient and cost-effective, eliminating the need to hire multiple specialists.

5. Job Creation

Hiring a maid not only benefits your household but also supports job creation. Many individuals seek employment in domestic roles to provide for their families, making this a socially responsible choice.

6. Compliance with Legal Requirements

Securing a maid visa Dubai ensures adherence to UAE labour laws, protecting both the employer and employee. Hiring workers informally can lead to legal repercussions, reinforcing the importance of lawful employment practices through a Dubai maid visa. 

By following the legal process and securing a housemaid visa in Dubai, you can enjoy the convenience of professional domestic assistance while ensuring a smooth, lawful hiring experience.

Rules for Housemaid Visa in UAE

Hiring a housemaid in the UAE requires compliance with specific regulations set by the government. Whether you’re applying for a Dubai maid visa, a housemaid visa in the UAE, or a nanny visa, here are the key rules to follow:

Eligibility for Sponsoring a Housemaid

To apply for a maid sponsorship in Dubai, the sponsor must meet these criteria:

• The sponsor must be a UAE resident with a valid residence visa.
• Minimum salary requirement: AED 25,000* per month (varies by emirate).
• The sponsor must live in suitable accommodation to house the maid.

Conditions for Obtaining a Housemaid Visa in UAE

• The maid must be from an approved country (e.g., India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia).
• Age requirement: Between 18 and 58 years.
• Employers must sign a contract that specifies the salary, duties, and benefits.

Documents Required for a Housemaid Visa in UAE

• Sponsor’s passports copy & UAE residence visa.
• Maid’s passport copy & passport-sized photos.
• Sponsor’s Ejari (tenancy contract) and latest utility bill.
• Copy of the employment contract & salary certificate.
• Maid’s medical fitness test results.

Maid Visa Renewal & Cancellation

• The housemaid visa in the UAE is typically valid for one year and must be renewed before expiration.
• If terminating employment, sponsors must arrange to cancel the servant visa in the UAE and provide a return flight ticket.

Employment Rights & Responsibilities

• The maid is entitled to one day off per week, paid annual leave, and a return ticket every two years.
• The sponsor must comply with UAE labour laws regarding fair wages, working hours, and benefits.

Following these rules for a housemaid visa in the UAE ensures a smooth sponsorship process and compliance with UAE regulations. Before applying, check for updates from GDRFA (Dubai) or ICA (UAE).

New law by MoHRE

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has introduced a new law, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, which came into effect on December 15, 2022. This law outlines regulations regarding the recruitment and employment of domestic workers in the UAE. According to the new decree-law, individuals seeking to hire domestic workers must obtain a license from the MoHRE before proceeding with the recruitment process.

Employer Responsibilities Towards Domestic Workers

Employers must adhere to the UAE’s regulations when hiring domestic workers. This entails honouring the terms outlined in the employment contract and fulfilling various obligations, such as:

• Providing necessary facilities for the worker to carry out their duties efficiently
• Ensuring suitable accommodation
• Supplying meals and clothing as required
• Making timely payments of remuneration
• Offering medical care or health insurance coverage
• Respecting the worker’s rights and ensuring a safe working environment

Duties of Domestic Workers

Domestic workers must follow the terms outlined in their employment contracts and ensure they:

• Perform assigned tasks under the supervision of the employer and by the terms of the contract.
• Maintain a high level of care and diligence in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Avoid absenteeism without a valid explanation.
• Respect the customs and traditions of the UAE community.
• Follow the employer’s instructions regarding the completion of agreed-upon tasks.
• Care for and responsibly manage personal belongings, following appropriate safety procedures for disposal when necessary.
• Respect the privacy of the workplace.
• Store work tools and items in their designated places at the workplace.
• Assist in emergencies or hazards that endanger the workplace and its occupants.

Read more: Labour Contract in UAE: All you need to know

Which Categories Are Exempt from Regulation?

Under the UAE’s recent domestic worker legislation, hiring maids and nannies is restricted to licensed agencies. However, particular residents, such as those holding Golden Visas, can sponsor domestic help directly.

Dubai Maid Visa: Eligibility Requirements & Application Process

Hiring a domestic helper in Dubai offers convenience, but it’s crucial to understand the maid visa Dubai process, requirements, and eligibility criteria. If you plan to sponsor a housemaid visa in Dubai, here’s everything you need to know.

Eligibility Criteria for a Maid Visa in Dubai

Requirements for Domestic Helpers in Dubai (Maid/Housemaid) 

To qualify for a maid visa in the UAE, the domestic helper must meet the following conditions:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Domestic workers must not hold any other valid work permits in the UAE.
• Applicants must pass a medical fitness test, which includes screenings for infectious diseases.
• Must be from an approved country: India, the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, or Sri Lanka.

Requirements for Sponsors/Employers

The employer (sponsor) applying for a housemaid visa in the UAE must meet these conditions:

• Earn a minimum salary of AED 25,000 per month.
• Hold a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID.
• Rent or own an apartment in Dubai with at least two bedrooms.
• Provide medical insurance for the maid.
• Pay the necessary visa fees, including security deposits and processing charges.

Important Note: Bachelors cannot sponsor a maid visa in Dubai.

Dubai Maid Visa Requirements: Step-by-Step Process

The Dubai maid visa requirements are as follows:

• Apply for the Entry Permit: Submit the maid’s passport, sponsor’s Emirates ID, and salary certificate to obtain an entry permit for the housemaid visa Dubai.
• Medical Fitness Test: The domestic worker must undergo a mandatory medical fitness test at an approved UAE medical centre.
• Emirates ID & Biometrics: After passing the test, the maid must register for biometric scanning and apply for an Emirates ID.
• Maid Visa Stamping: Once the maid fulfils the requirements, authorities will stamp the visa on her passport.
• Labour Contract & Residency Permit: The sponsor must sign a labour contract and complete the residency permit process.

Renewal & Cancellation of a Maid Visa in Dubai

Learn the key considerations for renewing or cancelling a maid visa in Dubai.

Renewal Process

• Employers must renew a maid’s visa in Dubai before it expires, which is valid for one or two years.
• The renewal process includes another medical fitness test and Emirates ID renewal.

Cancellation Process

• If you no longer require a maid’s services, you must formally cancel the maid visa Dubai through GDRFA and provide a return flight ticket to your home country.

How to Get a Maid Visa in Dubai, UAE

Hiring a domestic helper in the UAE requires obtaining a maid visa in Dubai, which legally allows you to sponsor a housemaid or nanny. This guide will walk you through securing a housemaid visa in Dubai, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before applying for a maid visa in the UAE, you must meet the government’s eligibility criteria for sponsoring a domestic worker. The sponsor must:

• Be a resident of the UAE with a valid residence visa.
• Earn the minimum salary required by UAE law (usually AED 25,000+ per month for bachelors and AED 6,000+ for married couples).
• Have a two-bedroom apartment or larger to accommodate the maid.

Step 2: Choose a Method

There are two primary ways to apply for a housemaid visa in the UAE:

1. Through a Tadbeer Centre: These government-authorised service centres provide sponsorship services, recruitment, and employment contracts.
2. Direct Sponsorship: You can sponsor a maid by following the legal procedures of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Tadbeer Centres provides flexible service packages, including part-time and full-time employment contracts for domestic helper visas in Dubai.

Step 3: Bring the Maid to Dubai & Start Visa Processing

Once you have chosen your domestic worker, initiate the process of obtaining a nanny visa in Dubai or a housemaid visa in the UAE:

1. Apply for a maid’s work permit via GDRFA or a Tadbeer centre.
2. Conduct a medical fitness test at an approved UAE medical centre.
3. Register for Emirates ID at an authorised typing centre.
4. Obtain the Domestic Worker Identity Card to complete the formalities.

This step ensures the successful issuance of a servant visa in the UAE or a domestic helper visa in Dubai.

Step 4: Obtain the maid’s Emirates ID.

After the visa is approved, the employer must acquire the maid’s Emirates ID, mandatory for all UAE maid visa holders, either through an authorised typist or the official GDRFA portal.

By following these steps, you can successfully sponsor a housemaid visa in Dubai while complying with UAE laws. Whether you need a nanny visa for the UAE or a domestic helper visa for Dubai, this guide will help simplify the process.

Documents Required to Apply for a Maid Visa in Dubai

To get a maid visa in Dubai, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• Application form: A completed application form for the maid visa
• Passport: The passport copies of the maid and the sponsor
• Photographs: Three passport-sized color photos of the maid with a white background
• Sponsor’s documents: The original passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID of the sponsor
• Employment contract: An attested employment contract or recent salary slip of the sponsor
• Tenancy agreement: A copy of the attested house tenancy agreement (EJARI) of the sponsor
• Marriage certificate: An attested marriage certificate of the sponsor, translated into Arabic and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (for married applicants)
• No relation certificate: If the maid and sponsor are from the same country
• Medical insurance: Health insurance for the maid, provided by the employer
• Bank statement: (last three months) to verify salary.

Ensuring these documents are ready will streamline your maid sponsorship in Dubai.

1-Year Maid Visa Dubai

A one-year maid visa in Dubai is a residency visa that allows domestic workers to live and work in the country. It’s also known as a Domestic Worker Visa. 

Employers must renew a 1-year maid visa annually to maintain valid sponsorship. The renewal process is similar to the initial application and requires medical tests, Emirates ID renewal, and fee payment. Failure to renew on time can lead to fines and visa.

How to Renew a Maid Visa in Dubai, UAE

To renew your maid’s visa, follow these steps:

• Get a renewal application and an online medical request form from an authorised typist.
• Fill out the forms completely.
• Pay the required fees.
• Submit the forms to any General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) office near you.

Dubai Maid Visa Age Limit

The age limit for maid visa UAE applicants is between 18 and 58 years. The UAE government has specific regulations regarding the nationality and age of housemaids to ensure fair working conditions.

Maid Visa Cost in Dubai:

The cost of a 2-year maid visa in Dubai starts from AED 8,500* when applying through Tadbeer Centres. This package includes a fully sponsored visa, medical fitness test, health insurance, Emirates ID, free WPS bank account, PRO services, and more. Opting for private sponsorship, the cost is approximately AED 17,000*, requiring an additional deposit of AED 2,000*.

General Expenses for a Maid Visa in Dubai:

• Visa application fees
• Typing centre fees
• Health insurance
• Medical fitness test fees
• Labour contract charges
• Emirates ID and worker ID fees
• Renewal and cancellation charges, if applicable

For a detailed cost estimate tailored to your needs, consult with our professional consultants at Shuraa Business Setup. Contact us today for expert guidance!

Get a Maid Visa Through Shuraa Business Setup

Located in the heart of Dubai, Shuraa Business Setup assists with maid visas for individuals whose sponsors possess a business license and visa issued by Shuraa. In addition to guiding, you through the maid visa process, we offer efficient and adaptable business setup solutions in the UAE. 

Shuraa Business Setup offers various support services, including assistance with house help visas. Whether you require assistance obtaining new visas, renewing existing ones, or cancelling visas for multiple categories, such as drivers and domestic helpers, we’ve got you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Note: The information in this post is for general guidance only and may change due to updates in government policies or regulations.