Is there a probation period for domestic workers in the UAE?

Domestic-worker employment in the UAE is governed by the dedicated Federal Decree-Law on Domestic Workers and its standard MOHRE-registered contract, which provides for a probationary period during which either side can assess the arrangement. During probation, the conditions for ending the relationship differ from those that apply after the worker is confirmed, and the law and its executive regulations also address what happens to recruitment costs and repatriation if the contract ends within that window, depending on who terminates and why. The exact length of the probation period and the rules on who bears recruitment or return-ticket costs are fixed by the decree and can be updated, so verify the current figures in your registered contract and the MOHRE guidance rather than relying on assumptions. Because these terms are written into the unified contract, read it carefully before signing. If a probation dispute arises between a household and a domestic worker, MOHRE mediates first, and a verified UAE legal professional on LEXAI can review the contract terms for your situation.