Hiring maids in Abu Dhabi can make daily life far easier, especially for families balancing work, childcare, and home responsibilities. The process is regulated under UAE federal law. It must be completed through MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centres, which handle contracts, visas, medical tests, and Emirates ID applications to ensure full legal compliance.
This guide outlines the types of maid services available in Abu Dhabi, from part-time help to full-time live-in support. It also explains the current visa steps, required documents, costs, and the mandatory rights domestic workers must receive under UAE law, including rest days, working hours, health insurance, and timely salary payments through approved channels.
Whether you need occasional assistance or long-term household support, this guide provides a clear overview of the safest and most reliable hiring options.
- What’s included in maid services
- Top MoHRE-approved maid agencies in Abu Dhabi
- How to sponsor a maid visa in Abu Dhabi
- Maid hiring process and considerations
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
What’s included in maid services
Maid agencies in Abu Dhabi offer a diverse range of domestic services designed to meet different household needs. These services extend beyond basic cleaning to include childcare, cooking, and specialised support roles.
Core service categories
- Full-time housemaids: Live-in or live-out staff who manage daily household tasks, including cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking, and general upkeep. Ideal for families requiring consistent, full-day support.
- Part-time housemaids: Flexible, hourly services typically starting from a minimum of 3 hours per visit. Suitable for routine cleaning, specific tasks, or scheduled weekly/monthly maintenance.
- Specialised domestic staff: Professionally trained personnel for specific roles such as nannies, babysitters, elderly carers, cooks, and drivers. Duties include childcare support, elder assistance, meal preparation, and safe transportation.
- House cleaning services: A range of cleaning options, including deep cleaning, recurring weekly/monthly cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, and event-related cleaning before or after gatherings.
- Customised services: Agencies allow full tailoring of the service package based on your budget, frequency of service, scope of work, and preferred staff profile.
Service customisation
Most agencies in Abu Dhabi offer full customisation when hiring domestic help. You can select:
- Scope of work (cleaning only, childcare, cooking, elderly care, or combined roles)
- Service frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, one-time)
- Preferred nationality and experience level
- Number of staff required
- Live-in or live-out arrangements (for full-time roles)
Domestic workers commonly come from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, India, and Pakistan, reflecting the nationalities officially supplied through MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centres. Agencies conduct background checks and provide training to ensure professionalism and safety.
Top MoHRE-approved maid agencies in Abu Dhabi
Hiring through a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre ensures full legal compliance, transparent recruitment, and proper protection for domestic workers. These centres are licensed to manage the entire sponsorship process, including recruitment, contract issuance, visa processing, medical screening, and Emirates ID services.
Yas Centre for Domestic Workers L.L.C. (MoHRE-approved Tadbeer center)
A fully licensed and officially recognised Tadbeer centre in Abu Dhabi. Yas Centre manages end-to-end domestic worker services, from recruitment to visa issuance.
Services offered
- hiring of domestic workers (maids, nannies, babysitters, cooks)
- Emirates ID processing
- Visa issuance and renewal
- Immigration and ICP services
- Full-contract management under MoHRE
Location
It is located in Nayel & Bin Harmal Tower, almuhairy center – Al Hisn – W4 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates.
Contact Information
Phone: 02 550 5503
Amana Housemaid Services (Accredited cleaning & staffing agency, not a Tadbeer center)
A well-known agency offering trained maids for both full-time (with visa assistance) and part-time services. It does not replace Tadbeer centres but assists clients with the process.
Key features
- Minimum 3-hour bookings for part-time staff
- Weekly and monthly packages
- Support with documentation and sponsorship through authorised channels
- Staff available from multiple nationalities (Filipino, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian, Indian, Pakistani)
Location
It is located in Al Saman Tower, Barqa’ Az Zarraf Street
Contact Information
Phone: +971 50 519 3515
Easy Maid Cleaning Services (Cleaning service provider – part-time only)
A popular service provider in Abu Dhabi and Dubai offering hourly-based house cleaning.
Key details
- Offers one-time and recurring cleaning services
- Not a Tadbeer centre and does not process full-time maid visas.
Location
It is located in Mazyad Mall – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Contact Information
Phone: 02 555 5458
Additional trusted providers (All non-Tadbeer cleaning agencies)
These companies are reliable for part-time maids and general cleaning, but they cannot sponsor or issue visas:
- Urban Company – UAE’s largest app-based home services platform (part-time cleaners only).
- SmileHandyy – Popular for flexible maid bookings and professional cleaning.
- Dmaids – Established in 1989, well-known for consistent service.
- Pick My Maid – Offers domestic staff and cleaning across the UAE.
How to sponsor a maid visa in Abu Dhabi
Sponsoring maids in Abu Dhabi requires meeting specific financial and household criteria. These rules ensure that employers can provide safe, stable living conditions and a supportive environment for the domestic worker.
Sponsor requirements
- Minimum monthly salary of AED 25,000, or AED 10,000 if accommodation is provided by the employer
- Valid Emirates ID and UAE residency
- Ability to provide suitable accommodation, meals or a food allowance, and comprehensive medical insurance
- Compliance with the standard MoHRE domestic worker contract
- Proof of adequate living arrangements for live-in workers
Worker requirements
- Must meet the age criteria set by MoHRE (18–60 years)
- Must receive a minimum salary based on their home country’s regulations. For example, Filipino workers require a minimum of AED 1,836 per month
- Must keep their own passport and personal documents
- Must undergo mandatory medical fitness testing
Two ways to apply
Hiring can be done through two official pathways, depending on whether you prefer to act as the sponsor or have the agency handle sponsorship.
1. Direct sponsorship via Tadbeer
You complete the process through a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre, including:
- Application submission and entry permit
- Change of status (if applicable)
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID biometrics
- Medical insurance activation
- Residence visa stamping
2. Agency sponsorship
The domestic worker is legally sponsored by the agency while working for your household. The agency manages:
- All documentation and visa processing
- Monthly salary payments
- Replacements (if included in the package)
- Contract management and dispute handling
Maid visa cost breakdown
Visa fees comprise government charges and service centre administrative costs. Amounts vary slightly depending on the package.
| Fee Type | Typical Amount (AED) | Notes |
| Work permit issuance | Included in package | Bundled within Tadbeer services |
| Insurance | Included in package | Health insurance usually costs AED 700–1,500 |
| Residence permit (1 year) | 5,500–6,000 | Main immigration fee |
| Additional fee for a 2-year visa | 315 | Small incremental charge |
| Total via Tadbeer (2-year package) | 7,999–10,000 | Standard all-inclusive package |
| Total via private agencies | Up to 14,000+ | Depends on the service model |
| Refundable deposit (in-country) | 2,000 | Required during application |
Visa validity
Domestic worker visas are issued for 1 year or 2 years, with the 2-year visa being the most commonly offered by Tadbeer centres for expatriate residents.
Mandatory employer obligations
- Written MoHRE-approved contract: The contract must be in a language the worker understands.
- Timely wage payment: Salary must be paid within 10 days of the due date.
- Minimum salary: Based on nationality agreements (not a fixed AED 1,000); for example, Filipino domestic workers must receive at least AED 1,836 (2025 minimum).
- Rest time: 12 hours of rest per day and 8 consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep.
- Weekly day off: At least 1 paid day of rest per week.
- Medical insurance: Must be fully covered by the employer.
- Medical leave: Up to 30 days per year, as per UAE regulations, with medical proof.
- Annual leave: 30 days of paid vacation per year.
- Accommodation: Suitable, private, safe living quarters for live-in staff.
- Meals: Employer must provide meals or a food allowance.
- Return ticket: A round-trip plane ticket every 2 years of service.
- Retention of Personal Documents: The worker has the right to retain their passport and ID.
- Safe working environment: The employer must protect the worker from physical, verbal, or psychological harm.
- No recruitment costs: Workers cannot be charged any recruitment or placement fees under UAE law.
Employer compliance
MoHRE monitors domestic worker employment through its contract system, inspections, and digital reporting tools.
Failure to comply may result in:
- Administrative fines
- Suspension of sponsorship privileges
- Civil or criminal penalties in cases of abuse, non-payment, or coercion
- Blacklisting from hiring future domestic workers
Maid hiring process and considerations
Hiring maids in Abu Dhabi follows a regulated process managed through MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centres and licensed agencies. Understanding the timeline and key considerations helps ensure a smooth, legal, and compliant hiring experience.
Hiring timeline
- Contact a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre or licensed agency
- Provide your household requirements and preferences
- Review candidate profiles and conduct interviews if needed
- Sign the unified MoHRE employment contract
- Begin the visa application and documentation process
- Complete the worker’s medical exam and Emirates ID biometrics
- Final visa issuance, stamping, and worker arrival
Choosing the right agency
When selecting an agency, consider:
- MoHRE approval and licensing
- Transparency of fees and contract terms
- Customer reviews and reputation
- Service quality and response time
- Nationality and experience options
- After-service support and replacement policies
Full-time vs part-time maids
Choosing between full-time and part-time maids depends on your household needs, budget, and the level of support required. Understanding the differences helps you make informed decisions for your family.
Full-time maids
Live-in or live-out arrangements with daily household responsibilities. Suitable for families needing consistent support, childcare, or full-time management.
Part-time maids
Hourly bookings with typical minimums of 2–3 hours per visit. Ideal for weekly cleaning, deep cleaning, or occasional support without long-term commitments.
Demand trends
Demand for domestic workers in Abu Dhabi continues to rise due to increasingly busy urban lifestyles, greater workforce participation, and expanded service options. Digital booking platforms and app-based services have made part-time and on-demand cleaning more accessible, while Tadbeer centres provide streamlined, transparent full-time hiring packages.
Key takeaways
Hiring a maid in Abu Dhabi has become more structured and transparent under MoHRE’s regulated system. Residents can choose from full-time live-in support or flexible part-time services, with Tadbeer centres ensuring legal recruitment, proper contracts, and safe working conditions.
Visa packages for maids in Abu Dhabi generally range between AED 7,999 and AED 10,000 through Tadbeer centres, while private agency packages may exceed AED 14,000 depending on the service model.
Employers must meet key legal obligations, including providing medical insurance, suitable accommodation, meals, weekly rest days, and paying salaries on time in accordance with the minimum wage requirements applicable to their nationalities.
FAQs
Maid visas are issued for 1 or 2 years, with the 2-year visa being the most common package offered by Tadbeer centres.
Yes. Part-time maids can be hired for hourly services (typically a 2–3 hour minimum) through licensed cleaning agencies. No sponsorship is required for part-time staff.
There is no single UAE-wide fixed salary such as AED 1,000.
Minimum wages depend on nationality agreements. For example:
Filipino domestic workers: Minimum AED 1,836 per month (2025 mandate).
Other nationalities may have different minimums based on government agreements and market rates.
No. The current requirement is significantly higher.
Expat sponsors typically need a minimum monthly salary of AED 25,000,
or AED 10,000 with employer-provided accommodation, depending on MoHRE eligibility criteria.
Commonly available nationalities include:
– Filipino
– Indonesian
– Sri Lankan
– Ethiopian
– Indian
– Pakistani
These are the countries officially supplying domestic workers through MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centres.
