UAE residents can sponsor domestic workers (housemaids, nannies, drivers, gardeners) directly through the MOHRE Domestic Labour portal. Here is the complete process for sponsoring a domestic worker.
Who Can Sponsor a Domestic Worker in UAE?
To sponsor a domestic worker, the sponsor (employer) must: be a UAE national OR a UAE resident with a valid residence visa, have a minimum monthly salary of AED 6,000 (required to prove you can financially support the worker), and not have an existing domestic worker on the same visa (each sponsor is entitled to a limited number of domestic workers based on family size).
Domestic Worker Visa Process
Option 1: Direct Recruitment from Home Country
The sponsor submits a domestic worker recruitment request via the MOHRE domestic labour portal. MOHRE approves the recruitment and issues an entry permit. The worker applies for a UAE employment visa from their home country. Upon arrival, the worker completes a medical test and Emirates ID. Estimated cost: AED 5,000–10,000 (recruitment agency + visa + medical + Emirates ID). Time: 4–8 weeks.
Option 2: Transfer from Inside UAE
Hire a domestic worker already in the UAE (e.g., a worker seeking a new employer). The worker’s current sponsor must NOC the transfer. MOHRE processes the transfer. Estimated cost: AED 1,500–3,000. Time: 1–2 weeks.
Domestic Worker Rights Under UAE Law
Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 (Domestic Workers Law) guarantees: 9 hours of rest per day (8 hours work maximum), one day off per week, 30 days paid annual leave, MOHRE contract of employment with specified wage, and 2-month notice period for termination (or payment in lieu). The sponsor must provide: accommodation, meals, appropriate clothing (if part of the uniform), and health insurance under DHA or DOHMS minimum plan.