How to Hire a Domestic Worker (Maid, Nanny, Driver) in UAE Guide 2026
Hiring domestic workers (household workers) in UAE is governed by a separate law from commercial employment. The process involves specific visa categories, minimum salary requirements, and mandatory contractual protections for domestic workers. This guide covers hiring domestic workers in UAE in 2026.
In this guide:
UAE Domestic Worker Law
- Primary law: Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers; provides minimum rights and employer obligations for domestic workers (different from the commercial Labour Law No. 33 of 2021)
- Regulator: MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) for domestic worker work permits; Tadbeer Centres for domestic worker recruitment and placement
- Covered workers: maids; nannies/babysitters; cooks; drivers; gardeners; security guards (for private homes); farm labourers; private tutors; private nurses
Domestic Worker Minimum Rights (UAE Law)
- Minimum wage: no federal minimum wage for domestic workers (as of 2026); but MOHRE-approved standard contracts specify minimum salary by nationality based on bilateral agreements; generally AED 700-1,500/month for live-in domestic workers
- Working hours: maximum 10 hours/day; 1 hour rest per 5 hours worked; 1 day off per week (or compensation)
- Annual leave: 30 calendar days after completing 1 year; flight ticket home included in annual leave
- Housing: employer must provide accommodation, food, and healthcare
- Contract: written domestic worker contract required; both parties sign; copy submitted to MOHRE
How to Hire a Domestic Worker — Process
Option 1 — Through a Tadbeer Centre (MOHRE-Licensed Domestic Worker Centre)
- What it is: Tadbeer centres are MOHRE-licensed domestic worker recruitment agencies; responsible for selecting, training, and placing domestic workers with UAE families
- Process: visit a Tadbeer Centre; specify requirements (cook, cleaner, nationality preference, language); Tadbeer presents candidates; select a worker; Tadbeer handles all visa, medical, and MOHRE paperwork
- Cost: AED 5,000-12,000 for full recruitment package depending on worker nationality and Tadbeer Centre
- Guarantee: Tadbeer centres typically provide a 3-month replacement guarantee if the worker doesn’t work out
Option 2 — Transfer from Another UAE Employer
- If you know a domestic worker already in UAE who wants to change employer; their current employer must agree to cancel the existing visa
- Process: current employer cancels visa; new employer applies for a domestic worker visa for the worker; worker gets medical test and new Emirates ID
- Cost: AED 3,000-5,000 (new visa costs without Tadbeer recruitment fee)
Option 3 — Direct Hire from Home Country
- Recruit directly from the worker’s home country (Philippines, Indonesia, Ethiopia, India, Sri Lanka, etc.); requires working with a sending country recruitment agency
- UAE bilateral agreements: UAE has bilateral agreements with many source countries; specific contract templates and salary requirements per country
- Entry permit: UAE employer applies for domestic worker entry permit via GDRFA; pay deposit (refundable); worker arrives on domestic worker visa
- Cost: AED 2,000-4,000 for visa + recruitment agency fee in source country AED 0-3,000