Do you ever feel that your 24 hours are much shorter than the rest? Juggling a job, home, kids, elderly parents, a social life, health, and more can do that to you. That’s why having a househelp is very normal, almost necessary to prevent burnout. You need a maid visa in Dubai to get a domestic helper from your home country.
Whether you are a first-time sponsor or looking to hire again, this comprehensive guide covers everything: who qualifies to sponsor, the maid visa cost in Dubai, the eight-step application process, and what to do if you ever need maid visa cancellation. Let’s get started.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor A Maid Visa In Dubai?
To sponsor or employ, you must meet some income and residential requirements set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
It is important to note that usually, only families are allowed to get a maid visa in Dubai based on their family structure and income. Bachelors aren’t mostly permitted unless a strong case is provided.
Criteria to sponsor a maid visa in Dubai, UAE:
- An individual should have a monthly income of AED 25,000. This amount can vary based on the family size and living arrangements. For UAE nationals, the minimum monthly income is AED 10,000.
- You must have a 2-bedroom home, owned or rented, with an Ejari certificate.
- Must be able to provide minimum wage and medical insurance.
Criteria to get a maid visa in Dubai:
- Your age must be between 18 and 60
- You shouldn’t have any other active work visa or permit in Dubai
- You should be medically fit to perform your duties
- You must belong to a pre-approved country under MOHRE and GDRFA
Contact 365 Day PRO Services to know if you are eligible to sponsor a domestic worker visa in the UAE.
What Is The Maid Visa Cost In Dubai?
The cost of getting a maid visa varies based on various factors such as whether your chosen domestic helper is inside or outside the UAE, medical tests, and more. The approximate cost of a maid visa in Dubai, UAE, is around AED 8000 to AED 9000.
The following is an estimated breakdown of the maid visa cost in Dubai:
The maid visa in Dubai is valid for 2 years only. During these years, you must sponsor their tickets to travel to their home country annually.
The sponsor is also responsible for paying the following approximate cost of a maid visa renewal:
- Visa renewal fees = AED 500 to AED 1,000
- Medical examination = AED 500 to AED 800
- Residency stamping fees = AED 200 to AED 300
Step-By-Step Process To Apply For a Maid Visa In Dubai
The process to apply for a domestic worker visa in the UAE includes a few simple steps.
Verify your sponsorship eligibility
First, you need to ensure that you have a sponsor file to check your eligibility and process the maid visa application.
Your sponsor file must be registered with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) You may apply for a new file through GDRFA e-services or at the support center offices. You may have to pay a first time application fee of about AED 200. Your application will be processed within 24-48 hours.
Get an entry visa for a domestic worker
Once your eligibility is confirmed, you can apply for domestic worker recruitment either through MOHRE or a MOHRE accredited recruitment agency. An employment entry permit is then issued, which allows the domestic worker to travel to the UAE legally. If the worker is being recruited from abroad, the permit is also used to obtain their travel visa from a UAE embassy in their home country.
Change of status (if applicable)
If your chosen domestic worker is still in the UAE, you can apply to change their status instead of them travelling back to their home country. The worker will receive a change of status document valid for 60 days. In these 60 days, they must get a residency visa.
Get the medical fitness checkup
Every domestic help worker needs to take a mandatory medical fitness test at an MOHRE-approved health centre. This test is essential to prove that they are physically fit enough to work and don’t have any contagious disease. The fitness checkup is a prerequisite for the following steps. The fitness test results are valid for 90 days.
Get the Emirate ID
Once they have their medical tests, the domestic worker needs to apply for their Emirates ID. After the application, they need to get their biometrics verified to get a residency visa.
It is important to note that once you have applied for an Emirate ID, the biometric verification should be done within 10 days of application for it to be valid.
Get health insurance for domestic help
Under UAE law, employers are legally obligated to provide health insurance for their domestic workers. The policy must be active before the residency visa is stamped and must remain valid throughout the duration of the worker’s stay. Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has approved minimum coverage requirements that all domestic worker policies must meet.
Setup employment contract
A standardised employment contract between the employer and the domestic worker is mandatory and must be registered with MOHRE. The contract covers monthly salary, working hours, annual leave, gratuity period, and details of accommodation.
The contract should be typed at an authorised typing centre, signed by both the parties and submitted to MOHRE for approval. It is a legal requirement under the UAE Domestic Workers Law No. 10 of 2017 and protects the employer and the worker.
Get Residence Visa
The final step of the maid visa process is stamping the residency visa in the domestic worker’s passport. This is done through the GDRFA office or portal. The residence visa is valid for two years and must be renewed before expiry. Upon stamping, the domestic worker is fully legally employed and protected under UAE law.
How Does Maid Visa Cancellation Work In Dubai?
If, for some reason, you want to cancel the maid visa, you need to apply at any Tadbeer office.
You need to pay approximately AED 250 to AED 265 to get the maid visa cancellation. Your application will be processed within 2-3 business days. Additionally, you need to submit a few documents as mentioned below:
For sponsors:
- Original Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Visa copy
For a domestic worker:
- Passport copy
- Visa copy
If the worker is still in the UAE, they get 30 days to either exit the country or find another sponsor to get a maid visa.
If you feel the process is complicated or time-consuming, 365 Day PRO Services is here to help you out. We will take you through all the steps in the process and do it for you. This allows you to focus on your task and we will take care of all the paperwork perfectly for you. So, contact us today for Maid visa application support.
Conclusion
If you want to sponsor a maid visa in Dubai, you’ll need to follow an 8-step process. You must meet the requirements of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to get a maid from other countries. The total cost of a maid visa in Dubai will be approximately AED 8,000. Additionally, you must provide health insurance to your domestic help. Read this article to know more, or contact us so we can handle the maid visa application process for you.
FAQs
What is the cost of a maid visa in Dubai?
Cost to get a maid visa involves a number of factors such as application fees, medical tests, Emirates ID, residency visa stamping, health insurance and other fees. Get accurate price estimate for maid visa in Dubai Contact 365 Day PRO Services.
How to get a visa for a maid in Dubai?
For applying for a domestic worker visa in the UAE, the employer should check with MOHRE first, to see if they are eligible to sponsor a domestic worker and fulfill the minimum income requirement. Meet the requirements and apply for an entry visa for a maid. Then they have to pass a medical exam to get a residency maid visa.
How long does it take to get a domestic helper visa?
The whole process of Maid Visa Dubai usually takes 3 to 6 weeks from the date of application to the stamping of the residency visa. Processing time depends on medical tests, biometric approval and more. To avoid any delay with your missing documents or tests, contact a professional visa service provider like 365 Day PRO Services.
What happens if my maid visa application gets rejected?
There are a number of reasons a maid visa application can be rejected such as not having enough income, outstanding issues with a previous domestic worker’s visa, incomplete documentation or failing a medical fitness test. MOHRE or GDRFA will usually give a reason code if your application is refused. You may be able to reapply after fixing the problem, depending on why you were rejected. 365 Days PRO Services can review rejection notices and advise you on what to do next.