How to Get a Maid Visa in Dubai (Domestic Worker Sponsorship) (2026)

A maid visa in Dubai is an employer sponsorship. You, the resident, become the legal sponsor of a domestic worker (a housemaid, nanny, cook, driver or similar role) and take on responsibility for their status, pay and welfare while they live and work in your home.

For expatriate sponsors, the most commonly cited requirement is a monthly income of about AED 25,000. In practice this figure is sometimes met through combined family income, and it can vary by emirate and by the recruitment channel you use. UAE nationals face a lower personal income threshold.

Beyond income, sponsors are generally expected to hold a valid residence visa themselves and to have suitable accommodation, often described as a home with at least two bedrooms so the worker has proper private space. Because these conditions change, treat the numbers here as indicative and confirm the current rules before applying.

Income is the requirement that trips up most applicants, so it is worth understanding clearly. The widely quoted benchmark for expat sponsors is around AED 25,000 a month. Some sources note this can be satisfied by adding a spouse's salary to your own, but you should not assume that without checking.

If you do not meet the standard threshold, a Tadbeer service centre can be the practical answer. Tadbeer packages are sometimes offered against a lower income figure, frequently cited near AED 10,000 a month, because the centre acts as a regulated intermediary and carries part of the employer liability.

These figures are indicative and subject to change. Before you build plans around a specific number, confirm the exact income requirement for your situation directly with a Tadbeer centre or the GDRFA.

There are two main ways to bring a domestic worker onto your sponsorship. The first is direct sponsorship, where you apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and manage the visa, medical, Emirates ID and contract steps yourself.

The second, and by far the more common route for expats, is a licensed Tadbeer service centre. Tadbeer is the government-regulated domestic worker programme overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The centres provide an end-to-end service: recruiting from approved source countries, processing the visa, arranging the medical test and insurance, registering the MOHRE contract and offering ongoing support.

The trade-off is straightforward. Direct sponsorship can cost less but demands more of your time and admin. Tadbeer costs more but bundles the steps, reduces paperwork and provides employer protections such as replacement or dispute support. Choose based on how much you value convenience and safeguards.

The overall flow is similar whichever route you pick. First, confirm you meet the income and housing conditions. Next, either lodge the application with the GDRFA or engage a Tadbeer centre and choose a worker or a package.

An entry permit or visa is then issued. Once the worker is in the country, they complete a medical fitness test, apply for the Emirates ID and have health insurance arranged. The residence visa is stamped, and the employment contract is registered so the arrangement is legally recorded.

Typical documents include your passport and residence visa, your Emirates ID, proof of income such as a salary certificate or bank statements, your tenancy contract or title deed as proof of accommodation, and the worker's passport and photographs. A Tadbeer centre will tell you exactly which papers it needs, but preparing these in advance saves delays.

Costs vary widely by route, the worker's nationality and the insurance package. As a rough guide often quoted for 2026, a first year via Tadbeer can fall in the region of AED 8,500 to AED 12,000, while private sponsorship can run higher. These are indicative ranges only; get a written quote before you commit.

The fee usually covers the visa, the mandatory medical fitness test, the Emirates ID, domestic-worker health insurance and a refundable deposit. The deposit is commonly cited at around AED 2,000 for expat sponsors and is returned later, so keep your IBAN handy for the refund. Health insurance for the worker is mandatory, not optional.

Fair treatment is a legal duty. You must pay the agreed wage on time, provide proper accommodation and food, allow rest days and paid leave, and respect the worker's rights under the registered contract. Withholding a passport or wages, or denying rest, breaches UAE labour rules. Treating the arrangement as a genuine, well-documented employment relationship protects both sides.

A domestic worker residence visa typically runs for two years, then needs renewing to stay valid. Renewal usually repeats the core steps: a fresh medical fitness test, a renewed Emirates ID, updated health insurance and payment of the renewal fees.

Annual or ongoing costs from year two are generally lower than the first-year outlay, but still recur, so budget for them. Start the renewal before the visa expires to avoid fines or gaps in the worker's legal status.

If the arrangement ends, you must cancel the visa properly rather than simply letting it lapse. Because fees, timelines and requirements are updated regularly, confirm the current renewal or cancellation process with your Tadbeer centre or the GDRFA each time.