Hiring Domestic Help in Dubai: What You Need to Know
Employing domestic workers is common practice in the UAE, with MOHRE estimating that over 750,000 domestic workers are currently employed across the country. For many families, particularly those with both parents working full-time, hiring a live-in maid, nanny, or housekeeper is not a luxury but a practical necessity. However, the process of legally hiring, sponsoring, and managing a domestic worker involves specific legal requirements that every employer must understand and follow.
The UAE has made significant strides in protecting domestic worker rights, including mandatory contracts, minimum rest periods, and clear regulations around working conditions. Employers who fail to comply face fines starting at AED 10,000 and potential visa sponsorship bans.
Eligibility to Sponsor a Domestic Worker
Not every UAE resident can sponsor a domestic worker. The eligibility criteria include:
- Minimum salary: Your monthly salary must be at least AED 6,000. For some nationalities and categories, the threshold may be higher.
- Accommodation: You must provide suitable accommodation with a separate sleeping area for the domestic worker. Studio apartments are generally not acceptable.
- Valid residence visa: Your own UAE residence visa must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application.
- No outstanding violations: You must have no previous MOHRE violations or unpaid fines related to domestic worker employment.
Step-by-Step Hiring Process
Option 1: Hiring Through a Licensed Agency
Licensed recruitment agencies handle most of the administrative work and are the most common pathway. The process works as follows:
- Step 1: Contact a MOHRE-licensed recruitment agency. There are over 100 licensed agencies in Dubai alone. Verify their license status on the MOHRE website before engaging.
- Step 2: Specify your requirements including nationality preference, language skills, experience level, and job duties. Agencies will present candidate profiles for your review.
- Step 3: Select a candidate and the agency will handle visa processing, flight booking, medical tests, and Emirates ID registration.
- Step 4: Sign the standard MOHRE employment contract. This trilingual contract (Arabic, English, and the worker native language) specifies salary, working hours, rest days, and benefits.
- Step 5: The worker arrives and begins a probationary period of up to 6 months.
Option 2: Direct Hiring
If you have identified a specific person you want to employ, such as a worker already in the UAE on a different visa, you can process the visa directly through MOHRE Tadbeer centers. This route is cheaper but requires more personal involvement in paperwork.
Costs Breakdown
| Item | Agency Route | Direct Hire Route |
|---|---|---|
| Agency Fee | AED 5,000-10,000 | N/A |
| Visa Processing | AED 3,500-5,000 | AED 3,500-5,000 |
| Medical Test | AED 320 | AED 320 |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 | AED 370 |
| Flight (one-way) | AED 1,000-3,000 | AED 1,000-3,000 |
| Insurance | AED 600-1,200 | AED 600-1,200 |
| Tadbeer Registration | Included | AED 1,200-2,000 |
| Total Estimated | AED 11,000-20,000 | AED 7,000-12,000 |
Legal Requirements and Worker Rights
The UAE Domestic Workers Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022) establishes clear rights and obligations for both employers and domestic workers:
Working Hours and Rest
- Maximum 12 working hours per day with adequate breaks
- Minimum one paid rest day per week
- 30 days paid annual leave after completing one year of service
- 15 days paid sick leave per year after the probation period
Salary and Benefits
- Salary must be paid monthly through bank transfer or WPS (Wage Protection System) for transparency and verification
- Employer must provide suitable accommodation and food or a food allowance
- Return flight ticket to home country at the end of the contract period
- End of service gratuity of 14 days salary per year of service
Prohibited Practices
- Confiscating the worker passport or personal documents (criminal offense with fines up to AED 10,000)
- Withholding salary or paying less than the agreed amount
- Requiring the worker to perform tasks outside their job description without mutual agreement
- Physical or verbal abuse of any kind
- Forcing the worker to work during their designated rest periods
Salary Expectations by Nationality
Market rates for domestic workers vary by nationality, experience, and language skills. As of 2026, typical monthly salaries in Dubai are:
| Nationality | Typical Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Filipino | 2,000-3,000 |
| Indonesian | 1,500-2,500 |
| Ethiopian | 1,200-2,000 |
| Indian/Nepali | 1,500-2,500 |
| Ugandan/Kenyan | 1,200-2,000 |
These figures are in addition to the employer obligation to provide accommodation, food, and medical insurance. When budgeting for a domestic worker, the total monthly cost including salary, food allowance, phone credit, and insurance typically ranges from AED 2,500 to AED 4,500.
Tadbeer Service Centers
Tadbeer centers are MOHRE-authorized service centers that manage the administrative aspects of domestic worker employment. They handle visa processing, contract registration, salary payment processing through WPS, and dispute resolution. All domestic worker employment contracts must be registered through a Tadbeer center. Annual registration fees are approximately AED 1,200-2,000, and the centers provide a valuable intermediary service that protects both employers and workers.
What to Do If Things Go Wrong
If disputes arise between you and your domestic worker, MOHRE provides a formal complaint and mediation process. Either party can file a complaint at any Tadbeer center or through the MOHRE app. Mediation sessions are arranged within 5-10 business days, and if mediation fails, the case can be referred to the labor court. Common disputes involve salary disagreements, working condition complaints, and early contract termination. Maintaining clear records of salary payments, providing adequate living conditions, and treating your employee with respect goes a long way toward preventing issues before they escalate.