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

A maid visa in Dubai is an employer sponsorship. As a resident, you become the legal sponsor of a domestic worker, such as a housemaid, nanny, cook or driver, and you are responsible for their status, pay and welfare while they live and work in your home.

For expat sponsors, the most commonly cited requirement is a monthly income of about AED 25,000. Some families meet it with combined income, and it can vary by emirate and by recruitment channel. UAE nationals face a lower personal income threshold.

You also need a valid residence visa of your own and suitable accommodation, often described as a home with at least two bedrooms so the worker has private space. These conditions change, so confirm the current rules before you apply.

Income trips up more applicants than any other condition. The widely quoted benchmark for expat sponsors is around AED 25,000 a month. Some sources say you can add a spouse's salary to your own to reach it; check that for your case before you rely on it.

If you fall short of the standard threshold, a Tadbeer service centre may still work for you. Tadbeer packages are sometimes offered against a lower income figure, often cited near AED 10,000 a month, because the centre acts as a regulated intermediary and carries part of the employer liability.

Confirm the exact income requirement for your situation with a Tadbeer centre or the GDRFA before you plan around a number.

With direct sponsorship, you apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and handle the visa, medical, Emirates ID and contract steps yourself.

Most expats use a licensed Tadbeer service centre instead. Tadbeer is the government-regulated domestic worker programme overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The centres recruit from approved source countries, process the visa, arrange the medical test and insurance, register the MOHRE contract and support you afterwards.

Direct sponsorship can cost less but takes more of your time. Tadbeer costs more, bundles the steps and gives you employer protections such as a replacement worker or help with disputes. Pick the one that matches how much admin you want to take on.

Both routes follow the same flow. Confirm you meet the income and housing conditions, then either apply to the GDRFA or engage a Tadbeer centre and choose a worker or package.

The authorities issue an entry permit or visa. Once the worker arrives, they take a medical fitness test, apply for an Emirates ID and get health insurance. The residence visa is stamped and the employment contract registered, so the arrangement is on the legal record.

Prepare 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 give you its exact list; having these ready saves delays.

Costs depend on the route, the worker's nationality and the insurance package. A first year through Tadbeer is often quoted at AED 8,500 to AED 12,000 for 2026, and private sponsorship can cost more. Get a written quote before you commit.

The fee 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; keep your IBAN handy for the refund. The worker's health insurance is mandatory.

UAE labour rules oblige you to 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 those rules. Keep the employment properly documented; the paperwork protects you and the worker.

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

From year two the annual costs are lower than the first-year outlay, but you still pay them, so budget ahead. Start the renewal before the visa expires to avoid fines or a gap in the worker's legal status.

If the employment ends, cancel the visa formally instead of letting it lapse. Fees, timelines and requirements are updated regularly, so check the current renewal or cancellation process with your Tadbeer centre or the GDRFA each time.