How do I sponsor a domestic worker or maid visa in the UAE?

To employ a domestic worker legally in the UAE you must sponsor them through the official channel rather than hiring informally. Recruitment is handled through licensed Tadbeer service centres operating under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which manage the contract, work permit and onboarding. The sponsor (employer) generally needs to meet eligibility conditions — such as a minimum income and suitable housing — submit identity and residency documents, and sign the unified MOHRE-registered domestic-worker contract. The worker then completes medical testing, Emirates ID and residence-visa procedures through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Specific income thresholds, government fees and document lists are set by the authorities and updated periodically, so confirm the current requirements directly with MOHRE, Tadbeer or GDRFA before you apply. Hiring outside this framework can expose the household to penalties and leaves the worker unprotected. For contract review or eligibility questions specific to your circumstances, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who handle domestic-worker sponsorship.