How to Hire a Maid in Dubai and UAE 2024

In today's world, many households require the assistance of domestic workers to fulfill various roles, such as nannies, helpers, or drivers. These services are sought after for convenience, albeit at a certain cost. Those who are financially well-off have the luxury of easily employing helpers from other countries, who are available round-the-clock to cater to their needs. The employer, also known as the sponsor, is legally responsible for hiring a foreign domestic worker or maid. Hiring someone for household chores entails a significant amount of obligations. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of the guidelines to be followed when hiring or sponsoring a maid in Dubai and the UAE. The following steps outline the necessary procedures for employing or sponsoring a helper in the UAE.

How do you sponsor a maid in Dubai and the UAE?

• A person (the Head of the family) can provide sponsorship for a Helpers visa. However, individuals, regardless of gender, who earn a minimum of Dh25,000 are qualified to sponsor a helper.
• As per the regulations, unmarried individuals are prohibited from sponsoring a helper in the United Arab Emirates.
• In the UAE, the sponsor can only hire a helper from specific countries, including India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

What are the documents required to sponsor a Helper or Servant visa?

1. A passport copy of the sponsor is required with the Valid Residence Stamp
2. Needs to provide Attested Labor Contact or original Salary Certificates of sponsors in Arabic whose visas are direct from immigration.
3. The sponsor must have at least a two-bedroom apartment and a copy of the Attested Tenancy Contract by Ejari.
4. Helper’s passport copy (Passport must be valid for at least 6 months).
5. 4 recent passport-size photos with white backgrounds are required.
6. If a helper is from the same country as the sponsor, an Affidavit from the respective Embassy certifying the non-relationship is required.
7. Application for a helper visa must be filled out from the authorized tadbeer center.

Find more information about all the required documents on MoHRE website.

How to apply for Maid Visa in Dubai and UAE?

1. How to apply for an Entry permit for a Helper?

For a helper to enter the country, you must apply for an entry permit.

• Helper visa application form typed from the authorized typing center.
• You have to pay typing charges Dh 110. If urgent you need to pay supplementary Dh 100.
• To get an entry permit, you must submit the typed application form to the Immigration or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
• Along with a typed application to pay Dh 2000 as a deposit.
• You can send the helper either the original or a copy. If a copy is being sent, the original entry permit must be deposited in the Visa Desk at Dubai airport or the DNRD counter.

2. How to get a Residence Visa for a Helper?

• First, apply for a residence visa within 30 days of the helper's arrival in the country along with Emirates ID and a medical fitness report. Then, go to an authorized typist and pay for the urgent or non-urgent form.
• Take helpers for medical fitness checkups. They have to undergo HIV, TB, pregnancy, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Leprosy tests. Hepatitis B Vaccination is given, which costs Dh50 in addition to 3 doses. If vaccination is already taken, only the yellow certificate or proof is required while renewing the helper’s visa, and you do not need to take the vaccination as it is valid for 10 years.
• Visit GDRFA (residency section) and take a token for the computerized queue system. When your token number comes, you need to submit a residency visa-type application along with a stamped employment entry permit, salary certificate or labor contract, original passport and passport-size photo of helper, sponsor’s passport copy, and deposit sticker.
• A Domestic Worker Identity Card will be issued to you, or if it is non-urgent, it will be received through courier.
• To Receive an Emirates ID card, you need to produce a residency stamp to the typist for updating the application, or you can directly call EIDA and provide the residency number.
• When the helper permanently leaves the country your deposit of Dh2000 will be refunded. You need to conserve the sticker, either use it or receive a refund or it can be used as a proof of deposit to show the residency officer, whenever you do the renewal.

How do you take medical fitness results?

As explained, medical fitness is mandatory. A normal test costs around Dh 325, and you can also pay extra fees to get the result quickly.

• Register through the DHA online service or the authorized typist office. For Emirate ID application, you need to pay Dh 140+Dh30 (typing fee)
• You can pay online, if not paid online you can go to registration counter or section of medical fitness center and pay fees.
• The medical fitness results will be sent to DNRD electronically. Thus, the sponsor will receive notification or wait to receive the results by courier.
• Visit the EmirateID office to submit fingerprints and applications. This can be done while visiting medical fitness itself.

What are the other information about Maid Salary in UAE and the other expenses?

The job's salary is determined by the position and can differ based on factors like experience, job responsibilities, and references. Additionally, specific regulations set by the embassies of the helper's home country dictate the minimum age, required deposits, and salaries for helpers.

• Nepal - Minimum age: 30 / Minimum wage: Dh 900 /Deposit: Dh 5000
• Srilanka - Minimum age: 23 / Minimum wage: Dh 850 /Deposit: Dh 3673
• Philippines - Minimum wage: 1468 / Currently there is a hold on fresh recruitment
• India - Minimum age: 30 / Minimum wage: Dh 1100 / Deposit: Dh 9200
• Bangladesh - Minimum age: 750

Basic living Expenses and Flight ticket

The sponsor is accountable for ensuring essential living expenses such as accommodation, meals, and basic amenities are provided. The sponsor must also arrange for an annual round-trip ticket for the helper.

Sponsorship Fees

As a lawful sponsor, you must request a UAE residency permit that costs between Dh5000 and Dh5500 per year. This non-refundable fee must be paid to the UAE authorities.

Refundable deposit

The embassy of your Helper's home country may also request a refundable security deposit ranging from Dh3000 to Dh10000. The amount required may vary depending on the Helper's nationality and the embassy's regulations.

Government expenses

Separate fees are required for medical tests, registration, and Emirates ID insurance. Sponsors must provide mandatory health insurance coverage for their helpers.

What are the advantages of hiring a Helper?

Having a maid in Dubai and the UAE offers numerous benefits. Working women face challenges in balancing their job and household duties. With limited time and overwhelming responsibilities, it is wise to employ a helper who can assist and make life easier during these demanding circumstances.

1) Skill set

They possess exceptional expertise and are proficient in a wide range of tasks. They excel at household tasks such as tidying, washing clothes, sweeping, and ironing, as well as possessing skills in childcare and elderly care. Their versatility greatly enhances the value of their services.

2) Get More Time

One of the major benefits of employing a maid in Dubai is the opportunity to have ample personal time. This allows you to spend quality moments with your loved ones and pursue activities you have always desired. Consequently, there is a growing necessity for a helper who can assume the responsibilities that have always been overwhelming for you. With the assistance of a helper, you can enjoy relaxation and quality time with your family, without having to concern yourself with the cleanliness and tidiness of your home, as it is entrusted to capable hands.

3) Replacement

If your domestic helper resigns from your household, you can conveniently recruit a new domestic worker online. Furthermore, in situations where your current helper is on vacation or unwell, helper agencies can arrange a replacement to ensure that your household chores are not impacted.

Will you Hire a Full-time or Part-time Domestic Helper?

Domestic Helper Agencies that hold a specific license or sponsor the head of a household have the authority to employ a full-time domestic helper. There are two types of full-time helpers: those who reside in the sponsor's family home, and those who are provided with separate accommodation away from the sponsor's home. Regardless of whether the helper lives in or out, the sponsor's responsibilities remain unchanged. Agencies also offer part-time domestic helpers for hire. These helpers can be hired on an hourly basis through the agencies. Helpers work for a minimum amount of time per job as agreed upon. Rates for part-time helpers range from Dh 25 to Dh 40 per hour. Additionally, agencies also provide nannies at similar rates.

Rules and Regulations

The General Directorate of Resident and Foreign Affairs Dubai (DNRD) establishes regulations for domestic helpers. According to these guidelines, helpers are prohibited from consuming alcohol, and unmarried helpers are not permitted to cohabit with men or become pregnant if they are unmarried.

How to Renew Helper’s visa?

• You need to renew the visa annually. Either online or through an authorized typist.
• Apply for medical request form online, which is free, though some typists charge Dh20. Charges for renewal (Dh5080 + typing charges or Dh5180 + typing charged for urgent bases.)
• Medical fitness test need to be done and if you provide proof of Hepatitis B vaccination done or yellow certificate, that you need not pay again for the vaccination again as it is valid for 10 years.

Cancellation of helper’s visa

• Advance cancellation can be done through GDRFA or at the airport. If you want to cancel your visa in advance, you must get the ‘residency cancel’ form type, which costs (Dh70+typing fees).
• The helper's passport and labor card must be submitted to the GDRFA residency section.
• You will get two cancellation receipts, one is to be given to your helper and other one submits it to Immigration at airport.
• Visa cancellation automatically happens during immigration once the helper normally does the boarding and departure at the airport.
• With the cancellation receipt, you can call your deposit form GDRFA or take a helper to the airport, get the boarding pass, and produce it in the GDRFA office near the Customs and Immigration counter.
• You need to pay Dh100 and get residence cancelled.
• Reach the airport before 1 hour than the earlier recommended 3 hours international flight time in case there is a queue for cancellation.
• Give one copy of the canceled form to your helper to submit to Customs or Immigration, and the other needs to be submitted to GDRFA to receive your deposit.

Many ladies come here as maids in Dubai or the UAE in an effort to support their families back home. This gives them the support to help their family, irrespective of their educational background. It helps them to get a greater chance in life. They stay away from their family and take the risk of working in an unknown country to make sure that their families back home are financially secure and live a good life as desired.