Hiring a domestic worker in Dubai is much simpler through a licensed Tadbeer centre, but it still involves several linked steps β the employment contract, the residence visa, a medical fitness test, and setting up how salary will be paid. Tadbeer centres are licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to handle recruitment and sponsorship for domestic workers, and they act as a single point of contact so you are not running between typing centres, medical centres and government offices on your own.
Choosing a Tadbeer Centre and a Package
Tadbeer centres typically offer a few arrangements. Some households recruit a worker through the centre and then transfer sponsorship to the family, while others keep the worker sponsored by the centre under a monthly package. The right choice depends on how long you expect the arrangement to last and how much administration you want to handle yourself. Ask the centre to explain, in writing, what is included in the fee and what happens if the worker leaves during a trial period.
Confirm current packages and prices directly with the centre and on the MOHRE website, as fees change from time to time.
The Contract: What You Are Signing
Domestic work in the UAE is covered by a specific federal law, and the employment relationship is recorded in a standard contract. The centre should walk you through the key terms before the visa process starts. Pay close attention to:
- The job role and place of work β for example, nanny, housekeeper, cook or driver
- The monthly salary, working hours, weekly rest day and annual leave entitlement
- The contract duration, typically aligned with the residence visa period
- Who pays for the return ticket at the end of the contract
- Notice periods and what happens if either side ends the contract early
Both you and the worker should keep a signed copy, explained in a language the worker understands.
Entry Permit, Medical and Emirates ID
Once the contract is agreed, the centre usually applies for an entry permit so the worker can enter the UAE, or change status if she or he is already in the country. After arrival, the worker attends a medical fitness test at a Dubai Health medical fitness centre, which typically involves a blood test and a chest X-ray to screen for communicable diseases.
When the medical result is issued as fit, the residence visa application is completed and biometrics are taken for the Emirates ID at a Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) service centre. The centre will normally track these appointments, but keep copies yourself. Timelines vary, so allow a buffer rather than planning around a single fixed date.
Setting Up the Salary Account and Wage Payment
Paying salary properly is one of the most important β and most overlooked β parts of the process. Domestic workers must be paid on time and in full, and a clear record protects both the household and the worker. Many families arrange for salary to be paid into a bank account or a salary card in the worker’s own name, so there is a traceable monthly record.
Ask your centre what payment options they recommend. Some can help set up a salary account or prepaid salary card with a partner bank or exchange house, useful if the worker does not yet have a UAE bank account. Agree the method at the start, pay on the same date each month, and keep transfer receipts.
After the Visa Is Issued
Once the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued, check that the worker’s name, passport number and job title are correct on every document. Note the visa expiry date in your calendar well in advance β renewal will involve a new medical test and a renewed contract. Keep copies of the passport, contract and Emirates ID in one folder at home.
Handled through a Tadbeer centre, the process is structured and supported, but it still rewards an organised sponsor. Read the contract carefully, keep salary payments documented, and confirm current fees and requirements with MOHRE or your centre before each renewal, and the arrangement will start on a fair, clear footing for your household and your worker.