5 minutes to read· Updated 03:53 PM,September 24,2025
Household responsibilities for the family homemaker continue to grow day by day, much like dust that quickly accumulates and clings to wood and other household furnishings. As children grow older, their needs increase, not to mention the challenges of managing daily routines such as going to work. Female professionals in Dubai sometimes find it necessary to hire domestic helpers, a topic we will explore in this article. We will walk you through the step-by-step process of hiring domestic staff in Dubai to help you find the ideal housekeeper who can assist with all your tasks, including daily home cleaning, organizing family affairs, and caring for children when you are occupied.
Types of Sponsorship Required for Hiring Domestic Workers in Dubai
The types of sponsorship vary depending on the job role required
Dubai's domestic staffing centers oversee the issuance of appropriate work permits and provide guidance, counseling, training, and support to domestic workers. These centers are part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and operate under its supervision, helping to regulate employment agencies. The centers offer four packages for hiring and employing domestic helpers:
Direct sponsorship: Domestic workers remain under the family’s or employer’s sponsorship for 180 days after being recruited by the centers from source countries.
Direct sponsorship after six months: This package allows families to choose whether to hire the worker permanently or temporarily transfer them after six months of service. The worker’s sponsorship transfers to the family once both parties sign an employment contract.
Sponsorship through staffing centers: This option enables hiring domestic workers under contracts with the centers for two years, with the center acting as the sponsor.
On-demand staffing packages: These allow families to access domestic workers as needed, enabling flexible scheduling based on household requirements. With this package, families can hire domestic workers monthly, making it ideal for those needing temporary assistance.
Eligibility for Hiring Domestic Workers in Dubai
Residents in the UAE may only sponsor domestic helpers through temporary employment without permanent transfer. Exceptions apply in the following cases:
The family’s monthly income must exceed 25,000 AED from verified sources.
The applicant must belong to a category officially authorized to hire domestic help under UAE Cabinet decisions.
Individuals with documented medical conditions may hire domestic workers if their monthly income is at least 15,000 AED.
Professionals in senior roles—such as consultants across various fields, judges, and advisors—are eligible to hire domestic staff.
The Minister may approve additional cases for hiring domestic workers and ensure full protection of labor rights and workplace discipline for this group.
Certain countries have specific requirements for hiring domestic workers in Dubai. It is advisable to contact your country’s embassy or consulate for detailed information. Age restrictions may apply, and minimum wage standards for domestic workers have already been set.
Domestic Workers’ Rights in Dubai
Like other employees in the UAE, domestic workers in Dubai are entitled to the following rights:
A salary specified in the employment contract, to be paid within 10 days of its due date.
One paid day off per week.
At least 12 hours of rest per day, including eight consecutive uninterrupted hours.
30 days of paid annual leave.
Employer-provided health insurance.
30 days of paid sick leave per year.
A round-trip travel ticket every two years at the employer’s expense.
Adequate housing.
Good quality meals provided by the employer.
Necessary work clothing, if required, provided by the employer.
Employer retains personal documents such as passport and ID.
If any dispute arises between the worker or employer, either party may file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry will review and resolve the complaint within two weeks. If unresolved, the case will be referred to the competent court. Under the new law, domestic workers are exempt from legal fees at all stages of the complaint process, and these cases must be handled promptly!
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Required Documents for Hiring Domestic Workers in Dubai
Certain documents must be submitted to hire domestic workers in Dubai
Applicants seeking to hire domestic workers in Dubai must submit the following documents:
Copy of the employer’s passport, including the page with the national ID number.
Evidence of marital status or spouse’s residence for resident or investor employers.
Proof of residence via a rental lease agreement for resident or investor employers.
Recent salary certificate from the employer’s workplace.
Bank statement covering at least three months for investor employers.
Copy of the worker’s passport.
Color photograph of the worker.
Valid original national ID card for GCC nationals, residents, or investors.
Special ID card for diplomatic-level employers.
Valid original national ID card for citizens or a copy if the original is unavailable.
Tourist visa for the worker, if currently in the country.
Cancelation of previous residency status, if the worker is currently employed in the country.
Supporting document justifying the need for an additional worker, if the employer already has five or more domestic staff.
If the worker is over 60 years old, an exemption form must be submitted explaining the necessity.
Hiring Process for Domestic Workers in Dubai
Follow these steps to complete the process of hiring a domestic worker in Dubai
You can hire domestic workers in Dubai after completing the following procedures:
Print a new work permit application, i.e., a new entry authorization, through the Smart Facilitation Center / Tadbeer, via delivery vehicle, or through the smart app.
Submit the application electronically to the ministry’s database for verification of all required conditions and documents.
Receive notification if documents are missing or the application is rejected, and complete the process through Tadbeer service centers, delivery vehicles, or the smart app.
If you wish to track your application, you can access inquiry services via the ministry’s website or the smart app.
Requirements for Applying for Domestic Worker Recruitment Services in Dubai
The following conditions apply when submitting a request for domestic worker recruitment services in Dubai:
The employer must hold a valid passport.
The employer’s national ID must be original and valid.
The employer’s residency permit must be valid (for residents or investors).
The applicant must use their original national ID.
No active work permit should exist for the intended worker.
The worker’s passport must be valid for at least six months.
The worker must be at least 18 years old.
The worker’s occupation must match the job role requested by the employer.
Domestic Staff Recruitment Agencies in Dubai
You can contact local domestic staffing agencies in Dubai, which offer a wide range of services and save you time and effort. Services include:
Al-Atar for Employment Supply
Location: Salah El-Din Street, Al-Murabbaat, Deira
Working Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Saturday–Thursday)
You can also benefit from professional cleaning services offered on an hourly basis in Dubai, which provide all the services you need without the need to hire a full-time domestic worker. Learn more about pest control companies in Dubai to completely eliminate unwanted insects.
This concludes our guide on hiring domestic workers in Dubai. For more interesting and useful topics, visit the My Home blog. We hope this information saves you time and effort. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to assist you through the comments section below.
