If you want to hire a housemaid, nanny, driver or cook to live and work legally in your Dubai home, that person needs a domestic worker visa sponsored through an approved channel, usually a Tadbeer service centre. The process is well established, but families often get tripped up by eligibility rules, salary and contract requirements, and what happens when employment ends.
Who can sponsor and who can be sponsored?
Sponsorship is open to residents who meet the minimum salary and accommodation requirements set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and who have suitable housing for a live-in worker. Not every nationality and job title is treated the same way, and some roles — such as private driver — have additional conditions linked to household size or income. In practice, a Tadbeer consultant will check your Emirates ID, tenancy contract and salary certificate and confirm whether you qualify before you pay anything.
The worker must be at least 18, hold a valid passport, pass a medical fitness test and have no ban that prevents a new work permit. Many families recruit through a licensed agency rather than directly, because the agency handles the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and contract in one package and provides a replacement guarantee during the trial period.
- Sponsor documents usually needed: passport copy, Emirates ID, tenancy contract and recent salary certificate or labour contract
- Worker documents: passport, photograph, and previous visa details if already in the UAE
- Official route: a MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre or the MOHRE app and website
How much does it typically cost?
Costs vary by nationality, whether you recruit locally or from overseas, and whether you use the full Tadbeer package or the traditional sponsorship route. As a guide, families typically budget for government fees, medical and Emirates ID charges, agency or Tadbeer service fees, and the refundable deposit where it applies. Monthly, you must also allow for the agreed salary, food, accommodation, medical insurance and an annual flight home as set out in the contract. All figures change, so treat any quoted total as an estimate and check the current fee schedule on the MOHRE portal or at the Tadbeer centre before you commit.
Never pay cash to an unlicensed middleman who promises a cheaper visa. If the permit is not issued through MOHRE, the worker is not legally employed, and you as the sponsor carry the risk if something goes wrong.
What does the contract actually cover?
Domestic work in the UAE is governed by a federal law that requires a written contract in a language the worker understands. It sets out the job, weekly rest day, daily rest hours, paid annual leave, sick leave and the salary and payment method — usually a bank transfer or wage protection arrangement so there is a clear record. You cannot keep the worker’s passport, require work for another family without agreement, or extend hours without rest. Reading the contract together at the Tadbeer centre, in plain language, prevents most misunderstandings later.
If you need help at weekends or for a second home, discuss it before signing rather than assuming flexibility. Any change to duties or salary should be recorded as an amendment through the same official channel.
Renewals, transfers and ending employment
Most domestic worker permits are issued for one or two years and are renewable if the medical is passed and fees are paid on time. Renew a few weeks early to avoid overstay fines that accrue daily. If the worker wishes to transfer to a new sponsor, both parties and the Tadbeer centre follow a formal transfer process — the worker does not simply move house.
When employment ends, you must cancel the permit, settle any end-of-service amount due under the contract and law, and arrange the worker’s departure or transfer within the grace period. Keep copies of the cancellation paper and final salary receipt. If there is a disagreement about pay or treatment, MOHRE offers a dedicated dispute line and Tadbeer centres can mediate before a case is escalated.
FAQ
Can a bachelor or single resident sponsor a domestic worker? In many cases yes, if salary and housing criteria are met, but rules differ by worker category. Confirm your specific situation at a Tadbeer centre before recruiting.
Can my domestic worker also work part-time for a neighbour? No, not informally. A domestic worker may only work for their sponsor unless a formal arrangement is made through MOHRE. Sharing staff without paperwork risks fines for both households.
What if the worker leaves during the trial period? If you recruited through a licensed agency or Tadbeer package, check your replacement or refund terms, which are set out in the service agreement. Report an absconding case promptly through the official channel rather than searching on your own.
For more practical guides to living and hiring help in the emirate, visit DXB Talk and browse our Dubai section for the latest resident essentials.
