While it’s great that the handsome salaries, zero tax environment and relaxed regulations make it easy to employ a maid in the UAE, there are legal implications for doing so. While there may be slight variations in the rules pertaining to prerequisite conditions to hire a maid from emirate to emirate, the key processes are quite similar. However, it’s advisable to consult the UAE immigration department of the emirate in which you live for the latest rules and procedures. Here are some things to keep in mind should you wish to hire live-in help in Dubai.
Eligibility
A maid’s visa can be obtained by the sponsor whose salary is not less than AED 6,000 a month or AED 5,000 with accommodation benefits. The sponsor should hold a UAE Residency visa. Bachelors cannot sponsor a maid. Furthermore, residents usually sponsor maids from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Visa application process
First, an entry permit/employment visa will be required for the maid to enter Dubai. You will then need to apply for a residence visa. The Dubai Naturalization and Residence Department (DNRD) will then issue a residence visa, labour card and labour contract for the maid. The steps for visa application include:
- Residence visa (employment permit for the maid to enter country)
- Medical check and health care (after the maid enters the country)
- Residence stamp on the passport
- Labour card
Here are the documents required for maid residence visa:
- Salary certificate of sponsor in Arabic (in case of government employee)/labour contract of sponsor (for private employees) and accommodation contract
- Application form duly filled in from an authorised typing office
- Sponsor’s passport copy
- Copy of maid’s passport
- Passport photos of the maid
- Affidavit from embassy/consulate certifying non-relationship if maid is from the same country
Obtaining a labour card
Apply for a residence permit and medical fitness report within 30 days of your maid’s arrival into Dubai. Visit DNRD’s counter, ask the authorised typist for an urgent (urgent visa forms may require a refundable deposit) or non-urgent form and make a payment.
After getting the stamped employment permit, your maid will have to take a medical test. Take the results to the typist along with the required fee to apply for the residence visa. Submit the stamped employment permit, medical report, maid’s original passports, sponsor’s passport copy and salary certificate to the residency section. Declare to the officer the salary you will pay the maid. You will be given four printouts of the unified contract, to be signed by you (sponsor) and your maid. Resubmit the copies to the officer who will counter-sign and return two copies to you – one for you and the other for your maid. A one-year valid residence visa will be stamped on your maid’s passport.
The labour card will be available to you within 24 hours. If you opted for an urgent visa, you can collect your refundable deposit at the counter along with the labour card.
Medical tests
All new maids will be screened for pregnancy, HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, TB and Leprosy. Check the Dubai Health Authority website for medical fitness package details at http://www.dha.gov.ae/. The medical results will be sent to DNRD electronically and the sponsor notified through SMS.
Minimum salary
Each country has independent regulations regarding minimum salary and other criteria such as age. Approximate minimum wage requirements set by embassies include:
- Bangladeshi: AED 750
- Indonesian: AED 800
- Sri Lankan: AED 825
- Indian: AED 1,100
- Filipina: AED 1,400
These figures are subject to change, so please check with the respective country’s consulate for up-to-date information.
Mandatory benefits
- Accommodation
- Food
- Monthly salary on time – as per the legal wage per nationality
- One day off per week
- One month of paid holiday per year with a plane ticket to the home country
Other allowances
Toiletries and phone credit
Contact information
Call DNRD on +9714 398 0000 or the toll-free Amer helpline 800 5111 for further information.
Please note: This article should be used for informational purposes only. Kindly check with DNRD for the latest updates.
