Maid Visa in Dubai, UAE 2026: Costs & Requirements

As a Dubai citizen or resident, if you are planning to hire a live-in housemaid or domestic helper from outside the UAE, first get a GDRFA-issued maid visa for them by applying through a Tadbeer center. Given the UAE’s busy lifestyle, domestic help has become much needed. They look after the house and help with daily chores, freeing up your time for other priorities.

However, obtaining a maid visa in Dubai involves many steps – including paperwork, medical tests, Emirates ID, and visa stamping. This guide by Dubiz simplifies a maid visa UAE by explaining its application process, costs, eligibility criteria, and related UAE labour laws in 2026.

What is a Maid Visa in Dubai?

A maid visa (also called a nanny visa or housemaid visa) is a residence permit issued to those working as a live-in nanny, driver, guard, housemaid, or a domestic worker in Dubai.

Key facts about Dubai maid visa:

• Sponsored: A maid visa is sponsored by either a UAE citizen or a UAE resident who plans to hire the helper.
• Validity: The validity of a maid visa in UAE is usually 2 years; the sponsor gets it renewed periodically.
• Regulated under: Unlike other visas, maid visas fall under dual regulation of the UAE Domestic Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No.9 of 2022) and GDRFA guidelines.

Which UAE Authorities Regulate the Maid Visa in Dubai?

You will have to deal with GDRFA, MOHRE, and Tadbeer centers, which collectively manage maid visas in Dubai. Their specific roles:

Tadbeer centers: Application for maid visa in Dubai is made through Tadbeer centers which are MOHRE-approved service centers for domestic worker services. They help with entry permits, visa status changes, medical insurance, and more.

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA): GDRFA is Dubai’s official immigration authority that issues the entry permit and UAE residence visa for maids.

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE): MOHRE oversees the UAE job market. They regulate job contracts, issue domestic work permits, and establish minimum wage and working conditions.

Eligibility Requirements for a Maid Visa in Dubai

MoHRE has set clear conditions for both sponsors and domestic workers applying for a domestic worker visa in Dubai. Explained below:

Who Can Sponsor a Maid Visa in Dubai?

Firstly, you must be either a UAE citizen or holding a valid UAE residence visa to sponsor a maid visa in Dubai.

In addition, you must satisfy the given eligibility criteria:

• Minimum income: As an expat, you should have a minimum monthly income of AED 25,000* to sponsor a maid visa (may vary based on family size and living arrangements). For UAE nationals, the income threshold is AED 10,000*.
• Accommodation: You must own or rent an apartment in Dubai with at least two bedrooms.
• Marital status: Maid visas in Dubai are generally sponsored by families. Bachelors are usually not allowed to sponsor maids, unless strongly justified.

Besides these, the sponsor is obligated to provide mandatory medical insurance for the maid.

How Does Tadbeer Help if You can’t Sponsor a Maid?

According to a senior Tadbeer representative, these are the two alternatives if you cannot sponsor a maid privately:

1. Hire from the Tadbeer candidate pool: You can choose the maid’s nationality, interview them, and take them home. They are already sponsored.
2. Get a maid of your choice sponsored by Tadbeer: Inform Tadbeer about the preferred maid. They will verify their nationality and eligibility. If approved, they will sponsor the maid on your behalf.

Eligibility Criteria for the Domestic Workers

To be eligible, the domestic worker must meet the following maid visa Dubai requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Does not hold any other valid work permit in Dubai.
• Should be medically fit, free from infectious diseases.
• Belongs to an approved country (e.g., India, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka).

Documents Needed for a Housemaid Visa Application

Several documents are required for the maid visa from both the sponsor and the domestic helper. Here’s a checklist:

Generic documents:

• GDRFA visa application form
• Copy of signed employment contract

Sponsor-related documents:

• Copy of passport and UAE residence visa
• Original Emirates ID
• Attested marriage certificate
• Lease contract or title deed of a property (minimum 2-bedroom apartment)
• 3-month bank statement
• Salary certificate
• Non-relationship affidavit (if applicable)
• Written explanation for hiring more than 5 domestic workers (if applicable)

Maid-related document:

• Copy of passport
• Passport-sized photo
• Medical fitness certificate
• Visit visa, if inside the UAE
• Cancellation of previous work visa (if applicable)

There may be additional documents. Our experts at Dubiz Business Setup can help.

What is the Maid Visa Cost in Dubai?

The cost of maid visa in Dubai ranges between AED 8,500* to AED 17,000*.

• Sponsorship by Tadbeer: AED 8,500* (includes fully sponsored visa, medical fitness test, health insurance, Emirates ID, free WPS bank account, PRO, and more)
• Maid visa through private sponsorship: AED 17,000* with a deposit of AED 2,000*.

Cost Breakdown for Domestic Worker Visa in UAE:

Ongoing financial commitments:

• Maid’s monthly salary as per minimum wage rules.
• Health insurance premium.
• Accommodation and food expenses.
• Annual flight ticket to home for the maid.

Contact our professional consultants at Dubiz Business Setup to inquire about maid visa Dubai cost.

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How to Apply for a Maid Visa in Dubai: Step-by-Step Process

Applying for a maid visa in Dubai is pretty easy if you follow these steps:

Step 1 – Check your eligibility

Begin the process by confirming that both you and the domestic worker are eligible for the visa application.

Step 2 – Prepare the necessary documents

Collect all the required documents, both yours and the maid’s. Get them attested if required. Having accurate documents ready is half the process done.

Step 3 – Approach Tadbeer or an authorized agency

Tadbeer centers process the domestic worker visa, including new visas, renewals, and cancellations. They will handle all the steps. You only need to coordinate with them.

Step 4 – Open a sponsor file

If this is your first time applying for a maid visa, you will need to register a sponsor file with GDRFA. It’s done through GDRFA e-service or physically at an Amer center.

• Service cost: AED 200 + 5% VAT
• Time: Approval within 24–48 hours

Step 5 – Apply for the entry permit

Once your sponsor file is activated, apply for the maid’s entry permit.

Role of entry permit:

• If the worker is inside the UAE: If your maid is already inside the UAE on another visa (maybe a visit visa, or a cancelled one), the entry permit allows them to convert it into a maid visa. The process is called a visa status change.
• If the worker is outside the UAE: The entry permit allows the maid to legally enter the UAE and complete the residence visa process.

Expat sponsors need to deposit AED 2,000 at this stage, which can later be refunded using the IBAN number.

Step 6 – Complete the worker’s medical test

As per UAE law, all household workers must be medically fit to reside in the UAE. The maid will need to undergo medical tests (chest x-rays, blood tests) at authorized government health centers.

Note: The medical fitness certificate is valid for 90 days only. The next steps must be completed right away.

Step 7 – Apply for the Emirates ID

Apply for the maid’s Emirates ID through official government portals or a designated typing center. The maid must complete the biometric screening within 10 days of Emirates ID typing.

Step 8 – Sign the MoHRE employment contract

An employment contract must be signed between the sponsor and the maid, which outlines the maid’s job details. If you wish to learn more, read our guide on employment contract in UAE.

Step 9 – Get medical insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all domestic workers. Policy is issued only after:

• The labour contract is signed
• Emirates ID application
• Receiving a medically “fit” certificate

Step 10 – Obtain the residency visa

Finally, you can apply for the residency visa for your maid. After application approval:

• The visa will be stamped on the maid’s passport
• Their identity card will be issued

Step 11 – Post visa compliance

Finally, set up the WPS for timely salary payments. Keep an eye on the timely renewal of visa, job contract, and medical insurance.

With that, your housemaid can legally start living and working for you in Dubai.

How to Renew Maid Visa in Dubai?

Your house help can continue working for you in Dubai only if their maid visa is renewed on time through a Tadbeer service center. Steps to follow:

• Step 1: Maid completes a medical fitness test at an approved government health center.
• Step 2: Apply for the renewal of the maid’s Emirates ID.
• Step 3: Renew the maid’s health insurance policy if the previous one has expired.
• Step 4: Renew the employment contract and submit a signed copy to MOHRE.
• Step 5: Submit the filled visa renewal application to GDRFA for processing.
• Step 6: Once approved, the renewed residence visa will be stamped on the maid’s passport.

Initiate renewal 30 days before the maid visa expiry. An expired visa will cost you AED 50 per day!

For renewal of a maid visa UAE, submit:

• Maid’s passport
• Maid’s existing residency visa and Emirates ID
• New medical fitness certificate
• Renewed/valid health insurance
• Salary and accommodation proof from the sponsor

How to Check Maid Visa Status in Dubai?

You can verify a maid visa in Dubai or track its application status through the GDRFA official website by following these steps:

• Step 1: Visit the GDRFA website and look for visa status check online service.
• Step 2: Choose if you want to search by application (for new applications) or file (existing visa).
• Step 3: Enter the required details:
  • For application search: application number, transaction number, and payment date
  • For file search: visa holder’s name, file number, nationality, and date of birth
• Step 4: Complete the captcha verification.
• Step 5: The visa status (active, under process, expired, approved) and related details will be shown on the screen.

Alternative: You can also check the maid visa status using the DubaiNow app or by visiting an Amer center in person.

How to Cancel Maid Visa in Dubai?

The sponsor can cancel a maid visa through a Tadbeer center (online, in-person, or via their door-to-door services).

Application process:

Step 1: Along with the maid visa cancellation form, submit these documents:

• Worker’s passport and visa copy
• Photograph of the worker
• Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
• Sponsor’s passport and visa copy

Step 2: GDRFA audits the application.

Step 3: Finally, the security deposit will be returned, and the visa will be cancelled.

Cancellation fee: AED 161 (inside the UAE) or AED 261 (outside the UAE).

New Rules for Housemaid Visa in UAE by MOHRE

UAE has recently tightened some rules around domestic worker visas, and if you are planning to sponsor a maid, you better not skip these:

Hiring rule: Domestic workers can be hired only through MoHRE-licensed agencies. Certain residents, such as those with a golden visa, can sponsor a maid directly.

Labour contract: A formally signed UAE employment contract between the sponsor and the worker is non-negotiable. It must be prepared according to the Ministry’s standard. A copy should be given to the housemaid. It should outline:

• Details of both parties
• Term of the contract (typically 2 years)
• Nature and scope of the job
• Joining date
• Accommodation
• Remuneration
• Rest periods
• Leave provisions
• Termination rules

New law: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) introduced Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 (amended in 2023), which clearly establishes the rights and obligations of workers and sponsors. Let’s understand it further in the next section.

Federal Decree-Law no.9 (2022) – Provisions on Hiring Maids

Get an overview of important things mentioned in the Federal Decree-Law No. 9 (2022) concerning domestic workers in the UAE:

A: Responsibilities of the employer:

• Provide proper accommodation.
• Ensure meals and appropriate clothing.
• Pay wages on time.
• Provide necessary medical care or health insurance.
• Ensure respect and safety in the working environment.
• Offer compensation for work-related injuries or occupational diseases.

B. Strictly prohibited activities for employers:

• Must not hire workers under the age of 18.
• Must not engage in human trafficking.
• Must not discriminate based on race, colour, gender, religion, or nationality.
• Should not assign tasks not mentioned in the contract.
• Must not force labour.
• Should not engage in physical or verbal abuse.

C: Rights of domestic worker:

• Timely wage payment: Wages, as mentioned in the standard contract, should be paid within 10 days from the due date.
• Weekly rest leave: Paid rest leave for one day each week.
• Daily rest period: A 12-hour rest period per day, including an 8-hour continuous rest period.
• Annual leave: Paid annual leave of 30 days.
• Round-trip ticket: A round-trip ticket to their home country every 2 years.
• Sick leave: Sick leave of 30 days per year.
• Accommodation and care: Appropriate accommodation, medical care, food, and work attire.
• Personal identification: Possession of personal identification documents such as IDs and passports.

D. Responsibilities of domestic workers:

• Perform duties diligently as per the contract.
• Maintain a high standard of duty.
• Avoid being absent without a reason.
• Observe the nation’s customs and traditions.
• Respect privacy.
• Keep workplace items and tools organized.
• Assist the workplace and family in disasters and hazards.

How Dubiz Business Setup Helps with Maid Visa Services in Dubai?

Dubiz offers reliable visa services in Dubai:

• Document support: Assistance with employment contracts, Ejari attestation, and domestic worker permit documentation.
• Coordination: Arranging medical tests and Emirates ID applications, as well as coordinating with relevant authorities.
• Ongoing management: Timely visa renewals for families, investors, and domestic staff.

Besides that, we also help with company formation services in the UAE. From company registration to licensing, visas, bank accounts, and government approvals, we handle it all.

Contact us today:

📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485

💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485

📧 Email: info@dubiz.co

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