The legal way to hire a nanny in Dubai is either to sponsor her yourself or, more simply for most families, to hire through a MOHRE-licensed agency or Tadbeer service centre, where the agency is the sponsor and employer on paper and you buy a monthly service package. That route protects you and the nanny: her visa, medical insurance, salary and end-of-service rights are handled formally, and you avoid the fines that come with hiring someone on a visit visa or someone else’s sponsorship.
Quick facts
- Where: Licensed Tadbeer centres and MOHRE-licensed domestic worker agencies across Dubai, plus their official apps and websites
- Typical cost: Monthly agency packages typically around AED 3,500–5,500 for a live-out or live-in nanny — check the agency’s current package for the exact fee; recruitment-only options cost less per month but add visa costs
- Time needed: Often 3–10 days if a candidate is already in the UAE; longer if recruited from abroad
- Who regulates it: MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) under the UAE domestic workers law
Step by step: hiring through a licensed agency
- Check the agency is licensed. Search for the agency on the MOHRE website or ask to see its licence number. In Dubai, Tadbeer centres are the government-approved storefronts for domestic worker services. Never pay a deposit to an unlicensed broker operating from social media or a messaging app.
- Decide the model you want. Ask clearly: will the agency sponsor the nanny and second her to you on a monthly package, or will you sponsor her and the agency is only recruiting? The first is simpler and lets you change or end the arrangement more easily; the second gives you more direct control but makes you legally responsible for visa, insurance and gratuity.
- Write down exactly what you need. Ages of your children, live-in or live-out, days off, hours, driving, cooking, school runs, travel with the family, languages and any special needs. Agencies match better when the job is described honestly.
- Interview and check experience properly. Meet candidates in person or by video at the centre, ask about previous families in the UAE, ages they have cared for, first aid, and how they handle emergencies. Ask the agency what reference and background checks have actually been done, and get the answer in writing.
- Agree a trial and read the contract. Many centres offer a trial period or a replacement guarantee if the match does not work in the first weeks — confirm the length and conditions before you pay. Your contract should state salary, weekly rest day, annual leave, working hours, who pays for medical care, and the notice period on both sides.
- Pay through the agency, not in cash on the side. Pay the package fee by card or bank transfer and keep receipts. Salaries for domestic workers in the agency model are processed by the agency; if you sponsor directly, salary should go through the system the centre sets up for you so there is a record.
- Confirm visa, medical and Emirates ID are in progress. Before the nanny starts, ask for copies of her entry permit or status change, medical test booking and Emirates ID application. If the agency is the sponsor, they should show you that her paperwork is valid — do not let a start date slip while documents are “coming soon”.
- Set house rules kindly on day one. Routines for the children, phone use while supervising, visitors, food, and accommodation if live-in. A short written routine helps a new nanny settle.
Documents you will usually need
For an agency package, expect to provide your Emirates ID, passport copy, and sometimes proof of address such as Ejari, plus payment details. If you sponsor directly, you will also need your labour contract or salary certificate, and the nanny will need a passport valid for at least six months, photos, a medical test at a DHA or MOHRE-approved centre, and Emirates ID biometrics. Follow the centre’s checklist for your exact package.
Costs in AED, honestly explained
A full monthly agency package that includes the nanny’s salary, visa, insurance and agency fee is typically around AED 3,500–5,500 a month depending on experience, live-in status and hours — check the official agency quotation for the current fee, as packages change. If you sponsor yourself, budget separately for the work permit and residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance, a monthly salary agreed in the contract, and a refundable deposit where the centre requires it. Cheaper offers that skip insurance are not a saving; they are the risk.
Your duties, and hers
UAE domestic worker rules give the nanny a weekly rest day, daily rest breaks, paid annual leave and medical insurance, and they forbid keeping her passport. You must pay on time, provide suitable accommodation and food if she lives in, and treat sick days properly. If a problem arises, go back to the centre first — mediation is part of what you are paying for — and contact MOHRE if it is not resolved.
Common mistakes
- Hiring on a visit visa or “borrowing” a nanny sponsored by another family. This is illegal and leaves both of you unprotected.
- Paying a broker cash with no contract, no licence number and no replacement guarantee.
- Promising one job and delivering another — for example, hiring for childcare and then expecting full housekeeping and cooking for extended family every day.
- Holding the passport or delaying salary as discipline. Both create legal trouble and destroy trust quickly.
FAQ
Can I hire a nanny part-time through an agency in Dubai?
Yes, many licensed centres offer part-time or hourly cleaning and childcare packages. The worker still comes under the agency’s sponsorship, and you should book through the centre rather than paying her directly for extra days.
What happens if the nanny does not work out?
Use the trial and replacement clause in your contract. Tell the agency early, explain the specific issues, and ask for mediation or a replacement within the guarantee period stated in writing.
Can the nanny travel with us outside the UAE?
Sometimes, but she will need a visa for the destination in her own name and her UAE residence must remain valid for return. Ask the agency well in advance and never assume a UAE visa gives entry elsewhere.