If you want to live, work, or own a business in the UAE, the first thing you need to take care of is securing a visa to do so legally. And it is not just for yourself. Often, you will need visas for your family, children, and even domestic workers. One such important visa that you may be interested in is the maid visa in Dubai. Yes, that is right. As a foreigner, you might have settled here, but you may still want to bring domestic helpers from back home. After all, in a city that never sleeps, where every second is precious, having someone to look after the house, help with daily chores, and care for children is extremely helpful and necessary.
In this guide, we will take you through the process of getting a visa for your domestic helper, the laws you must follow, and the costs involved.
What is a Dubai maid visa:
A maid visa in Dubai simply means a permit that allows a person to legally stay and work in the city as a household or domestic helper. This visa is also referred to as a nanny visa or housemaid Dubai visa in Dubai. A UAE resident can bring their maid from their home country or some other country to the UAE by sponsoring their residency, which means obtaining a maid visa for them.
Why to get a maid visa in Dubai?
Dubai is a city of aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals. The hustle, ambition, and hard work are what drive them toward success and prosperity. In such a busy lifestyle, having someone to lend a helping hand is a huge relief. Here are the benefits of getting a visa for your domestic maid in Dubai:
Affordability: Hiring a domestic helper is much more affordable compared to getting one through an agency in Dubai.
Legality: By getting your domestic worker a maid visa, you ensure that you stay compliant with national laws and bring the maid through proper legal channels.
Convenience: A maid can usually perform multiple tasks, which means you can delegate cleaning, cooking, and other chores to them, allowing you to focus on other things, whether professional or personal.
Caretaking: Maids look after children or elderly family members, making life easier for parents or other family members.
Dependability: When a domestic worker stays with you for a long time, they become like a family member. A relationship of trust is built, and you can rely on them for various responsibilities.
Rules and requirements for maid visa in Dubai:
Domestic workers and matters related to their employment come under the regulation of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). They ensure that the environment in the UAE is safe and secure for domestic workers, their rights are protected, and they lay down the responsibilities of maids and their employers. There are certain rules regarding the maid visa in Dubai that you should know. We will discuss them one by one here:
A: Eligibility:
The legal requirements apply to both the sponsor and the maid. They must meet the eligibility criteria, and only then can they get a maid visa in Dubai:
For the maid:
- Minimum 18 years old
- No other valid work permit
- Must be medically fit
For the sponsor:
- Earning at least AED 25,000 per month
- Holds a UAE residency visa and Emirates ID
- Owns or has rented an apartment of at least two bedrooms
- Must provide medical insurance for the maid
- Should not be a bachelor
B. Regions:
Currently, in Dubai, you can sponsor maids from the following countries:
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Philippines
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Nepal
C. Labour contract:
According to the MoHRE labour law in the UAE, there must be a legitimate contract between the sponsor and the maid, signed by both parties. This contract should be according to the standard contract provided by the Ministry. The maid should also have a copy of the same. The contract should highlight the names of both parties, terms of employment, scope of the job, responsibilities, date of joining, termination clauses, remuneration, leave, and all essential details.
D. Obligations:
There are certain responsibilities laid down by law for both maids and employers/sponsors:
For employers:
They should take care of the accommodation and meals of the maid properly, and wages should be paid on time. They are also responsible for the medical insurance and expenses of the maid. Employers must provide a good and secure working environment and ensure that the maid is comfortable. It is prohibited for them to hire anyone below the age of 18 years. They must refrain from prohibited actions like human trafficking, discrimination, abuse, and forced labour.
For maids:
The maid should always perform the required duties as expected and according to the contract, diligently and sincerely. They must take care of the property in their possession that belongs to the employer and respect the privacy of family members. They must be punctual. Most importantly, they should respect UAE customs and traditions.
E. Entitlements:
According to the law, maids have legal entitlements that employers must fulfil. These include:
- On time wage payment.
- One paid rest leave every week.
- A rest period of 12 hours every day, with 8 hours in continuity.
- Paid annual leave of 30 days.
- A round-trip ticket to the home country every 2 years.
- 30 days of sick leave per year.
- Proper meals and living accommodations.
- ID and passport possession should remain with the maid.
Documents needed for maid visa application in Dubai:
Here are the documents required for maid visa in Dubai:
Documents from sponsor:
- Application form filled out by the sponsor
- Passport copy of self and spouse
- Residence visa of self and spouse
- Original Emirates ID
- Salary certificate
- Copy of labour card
- Marriage certificate
- Title deed/lease contract for apartment (minimum 2 bedroom)
- 3-months bank statement
Documents from maid:
- Passport copy
- Passport photo
- Medical fitness certificate
- Visit visa, if in the UAE
For complete assistance, we advise you to contact our Dubiz experts.
How to get maid visa in Dubai in 2024:
Here is the step-by-step guide to getting a maid visa in Dubai:
Check eligibility of parties:
First things first, both the sponsor and the maid should be eligible for the maid visa in Dubai.
Decide method for application:
There are two methods through which you can apply for a maid visa. One is through the GDFRA website online. The second is by visiting a Tadbeer Center licensed by MoHRE. These centers provide all the facilities, such as application processing, renewals, and finding domestic help, making it very easy. Remember, according to the new rules for maid visa in Dubai, you can apply for a maid visa only through these licensed agencies. However, certain residents, such as those holding a golden visa, can do it themselves.
Prepare necessary documents:
Documents are needed from both the sponsor and the maid. These need to be kept ready so that the visa application process can be fast and smooth. We have already mentioned the list of required documents above.
Apply for the maid visa:
Once you have the documents ready, it is time to apply for the maid visa. It has its own procedure:
- First, you will need to secure an entry permit for the maid so that he/she can enter the UAE and fulfil other visa formalities.
- Once entered, the maid will need to pass a medical assessment from authorized government medical centers.
- Then, an Emirates ID needs to be obtained for the maid, which can be done through government e-channels or typing centers. This will include screening and recording of biometrics as well.
- Finally, sponsor can apply for the maid’s residency visa, which will be stamped on the maid’s passport. A domestic worker identification card will also be issued. You can check the status of maid visa in Dubai on GDRFA website or by contacting respective Tadbeer Center.
Cost of Dubai maid visa:
The cost of maid visa in Dubai is as follows:
- Through Tadbeer Center: Starts from AED 8,500*
- Through private sponsorship: AED 17,000* with a deposit requirement of AED 2,000*
There are many expenses related to the maid visa UAE, such as application fees, typing center fees, health insurance, medical test fees, labour contract fees, Emirates ID fees, and worker ID fees, etc. You can let our experts figure out your total cost.
Ask Dubiz for best visa services:
Dubai government has made the process of getting a visa for maids very easy. Many expatriates working here would like to bring their domestic workers to help alleviate their burdens. If you are looking for the same, you are in the right place. Whether you need a visa for your maids or for yourself, Dubiz can help you with the nitty-gritty, as our experts have years of experience in this field. From taking care of documents to getting approvals, medicals, and everything in place, you can trust us to handle all your UAE visa applications.
Contact Dubiz Business Setup today:
Call us at: +971 562986853 Whatsapp us at: +971 501309366 Mail us at: info@dubiz.co