UAE Domestic Worker Visa — Maid and Caregiver Sponsorship Guide 2026
UAE has a large domestic worker population (housemaids, drivers, nannies, caregivers) sponsored by UAE households. Federal Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers governs the employment, rights, and protections of domestic workers in UAE. This guide covers UAE domestic worker visa and sponsorship for 2026.
In this guide:
Who Can Sponsor a Domestic Worker
- UAE nationals: can sponsor domestic workers through their family residency
- Expat residents: expats with UAE residence visa can sponsor domestic workers if they meet minimum salary requirements
- Minimum salary requirement: varies by emirate; in Dubai typically AED 6,000+/month for household income; Abu Dhabi AED 10,000+/month household income
- Maximum domestic workers: depends on household size; typically 1 per household (2-3 for larger households)
Common Domestic Worker Nationalities
- Philippines: Filipinos are the largest domestic worker community; regulated by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); specific bilateral agreement with UAE
- Indonesia: large Indonesian domestic worker community; bilateral recruitment agreement
- Ethiopia and Kenya: East African domestic workers are growing; particularly in Abu Dhabi
- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal: significant domestic worker populations from South Asia
UAE Domestic Worker Visa Process
- Choose recruitment source: authorised domestic recruitment agency in UAE; direct recruitment via sending country embassy
- Sign employment contract: standard UAE domestic worker contract; includes salary, duties, leave, accommodation
- Apply for entry permit: sponsor (household) applies via MOHRE Tas’heel centres or ICA app; domestic worker entry permit issued
- Worker arrives in UAE: medical fitness test (HAAD or DHA approved clinic); health insurance arranged by sponsor
- Residence visa stamped: valid 2 years; renewable
UAE Domestic Worker Rights (2022 Law)
- Contract: written bilingual contract mandatory; copy given to worker
- Working hours: 9 hours/day maximum; 1 rest day per week
- Leave: 30 days paid annual leave after 1 year; sick leave up to 30 days/year
- End of service gratuity: 14 days per year of service on termination
- Accommodation and food: employer must provide appropriate accommodation and food
- Health insurance: employer must provide UAE health insurance for domestic worker
- Abuse reporting: domestic workers can report abuse to MOHRE; hotline 800-60
Domestic Worker Costs for UAE Households
- Recruitment agency fee: AED 5,000-15,000 (one-time; depends on nationality and agency)
- Visa and medical: AED 1,500-2,500
- Monthly salary: AED 800-2,500/month depending on nationality, experience, and responsibilities
- Health insurance: AED 600-1,500/year
- Airfare: employer typically covers annual return airfare