How to hire a maid, nanny, or driver in the UAE
Answer three quick questions and we'll show you the right hiring path for your situation — including costs, timelines, and the official next step.
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Hiring a maid, nanny or driver in the UAE — what families actually need to know
Hiring help at home in the UAE is more regulated than most families realise, and that is largely a good thing. The rules exist to protect the family and the worker, and following them is much cheaper than the alternatives. Off-platform hiring carries fines of up to AED 50,000 per worker. This guide walks you through what each option actually is, who it suits, and what it really costs in 2026.
In the UAE, every legitimate hiring journey involves a Tadbeer centre or a direct sponsorship under your family visa — there is no "third way." The Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 made this clear: only MoHRE-licensed offices can recruit and place domestic workers. What changes between options is who is the legal sponsor (you, or the Tadbeer centre), how the visa gets issued, and what you pay monthly vs. up-front.
Who regulates what
In the UAE, MOHRE oversees the entire domestic-worker recruitment ecosystem. Tadbeer centres are MoHRE-licensed; the labour contract is the MOHRE employment contract; wages are paid through the Wage Protection System (WPS). The Decree-Law explicitly bans hiring workers under 18, charging fees to the worker, or withholding their passport — all standard practices in some other regions, all illegal here.
What it costs to hire a maid in the UAE — by route
Ranges below are typical for families hiring through the official channels. Source-country wages (Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia) sit on top of these figures and are set by bilateral agreements — verify the current minimum on the official directory before signing a contract.
Traditional package (2-year, family sponsors)
Your standard live-in maid visa: family is the legal sponsor, Tadbeer handles all the paperwork.
7,000 – 11,0002,000 – 3,500Test package (6-month trial, then optional sponsorship)
Worker stays under Tadbeer for six months. If both sides agree, you can sponsor afterwards.
0 – 1,5002,500 – 4,000Temporary package (6-month, no transfer)
A fixed-term live-in worker fully under Tadbeer sponsorship — no setup, no sponsorship paperwork.
2,500 – 4,500Flexible package (hourly / daily / weekly)
On-demand help when you don't need a live-in. Worker is fully sponsored by Tadbeer.
1,500 – 3,500| Route | One-time setup | Monthly | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional package (2-year, family sponsors) | 7,000 – 11,000 | 2,000 – 3,500 worker salary | 4–8 weeks | Your standard live-in maid visa: family is the legal sponsor, Tadbeer handles all the paperwork. |
Test package (6-month trial, then optional sponsorship) | 0 – 1,500 | 2,500 – 4,000 all-in | 1–2 weeks | Worker stays under Tadbeer for six months. If both sides agree, you can sponsor afterwards. |
Temporary package (6-month, no transfer) | None | 2,500 – 4,500 all-in | Days | A fixed-term live-in worker fully under Tadbeer sponsorship — no setup, no sponsorship paperwork. |
Flexible package (hourly / daily / weekly) | None | 1,500 – 3,500 all-in | Days | On-demand help when you don't need a live-in. Worker is fully sponsored by Tadbeer. |
Common mistakes UAE families make
Most of these are easy to avoid once you know to look for them. None of these are theoretical — we see them in the questions families bring to us.
Hiring on a tourist visa
Working in a UAE household on a tourist or visit visa is illegal for both the worker and the family. Fines run up to AED 50,000 per worker. Wait until the proper visa is issued; it is much cheaper.
Trying to sponsor directly when income is below AED 25,000
Direct family sponsorship requires AED 25,000+ monthly income with proof. Tadbeer's 3rd-party sponsorship is the legal route for families below the threshold; same outcome (worker is in your home), Tadbeer is the legal sponsor.
Forgetting the health insurance is the family's responsibility
Many Tadbeer setup quotes do not include the annual health insurance. That is AED 5,000-10,000 on top, payable to a separate insurance provider, due before the visa is stamped.
Skipping the MOHRE contract
Side-agreements drafted at typing centres without the MOHRE employment contract are not enforceable under Decree-Law 9/2022. Always sign the official MOHRE contract; Tadbeer centres provide it as standard.
Not budgeting for the end-of-service flight
When the contract ends, the family is responsible for the worker's repatriation flight to their home country. Budget AED 800-2,000 depending on origin so this does not catch you off-guard at termination.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions families in the UAE ask most often.
Glossary — terms you'll see along the way
Useful next steps
Once you know your hiring path, these tools can help you plan the budget in detail.