Hiring a live-in maid or housemaid in the UAE runs almost entirely through the government-backed Tadbeer network, and the rules on who can sponsor and what it costs changed meaningfully by 2026. This guide breaks down the income you need to qualify, the full Tadbeer package price, and the recurring yearly costs so you can budget before you commit.
Who can sponsor a domestic worker
Sponsoring a domestic worker is not open to everyone. The core conditions in 2026 are:
- A minimum monthly salary of around AED 25,000 for expatriate sponsors (a lower salary may be accepted where the sponsor provides suitable accommodation, at the authority’s discretion).
- Being married, in most cases — UAE domestic labour rules generally prohibit single male “bachelor” residents from sponsoring female domestic workers.
- A valid UAE residence visa for the sponsor and a genuine need for the service.
If you are on a UAE residence visa yourself, it must be renewed and current before you can add a dependent worker — see our UAE residence visa renewal guide for the steps.
What is Tadbeer and why use it
Tadbeer centres are private service centres licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to manage the recruitment, contracting and visa processing of domestic workers; MoHRE publishes the list of approved domestic worker services centres. Going through a Tadbeer centre bundles the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and MOHRE-registered contract into one package, and comes with a job-abandonment guarantee — which is why it is now the standard route over old-style private sponsorship.
Tadbeer package costs in 2026
A full two-year Tadbeer sponsorship package typically costs less than arranging everything privately. Indicative figures:
| Item | Typical cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Tadbeer two-year sponsorship package | 8,500 (approx.) |
| Full package range depending on nationality and centre | 5,000 – 17,000 |
| Recruitment / source-country agency fee | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Monthly salary (paid to the worker, on top) | Additional, varies by nationality |
The package normally covers the two-year residence visa stamping, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, one year of mandatory health insurance, and the MOHRE contract registration. Recruitment costs and the worker’s salary are separate and depend heavily on nationality.
The ongoing yearly cost
Beyond the one-off package, budget for the worker’s monthly salary, annual health insurance renewal, food and accommodation, and any annual air ticket agreed in the contract. Many families also opt for the flexible “part-time” Tadbeer hourly model, where the centre remains the legal sponsor and you pay per visit — useful if you cannot meet the full sponsorship income threshold.
Health cover is mandatory
Your domestic worker must hold valid health insurance for the visa to be issued and renewed, just like any other UAE resident. If you are comparing plans, our Dubai health insurance guide explains the minimum mandatory cover and typical costs.
The step-by-step process
Once you have chosen a Tadbeer centre and a candidate, the typical flow is:
- Confirm you meet the sponsor conditions and submit your Emirates ID, tenancy contract and salary certificate.
- The centre applies for the worker’s entry permit and arranges travel from the source country (for a fresh recruit) or transfers an existing in-country worker.
- On arrival, the worker completes the medical fitness test and biometrics.
- The residence visa is stamped and the Emirates ID issued, with health insurance activated.
- The MOHRE domestic-worker contract is registered, setting out salary, rest days and the annual leave and ticket terms.
Start to finish, a straightforward case usually completes within two to four weeks, depending on the source country and medical scheduling.
Costs vary sharply by nationality
The single biggest variable is the worker’s nationality, which drives both the recruitment fee and the expected monthly salary. Source countries each set their own minimum wage floors for domestic workers destined for the Gulf, and some impose bans or extra clearances that push agency costs higher. Ask the Tadbeer centre for an all-in written quote per nationality rather than a headline package price, so you can compare like for like.
Worker rights you must budget for
The MOHRE contract is not just paperwork — it obliges you as sponsor to provide accommodation, food, a weekly paid rest day, paid annual leave, and end-of-service and repatriation arrangements. These duties sit in Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on domestic workers, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023, which the UAE Government summarises in its guidance on domestic workers, alongside the fines for breaching it. Wages must be paid on time, and mistreatment or withholding pay can trigger penalties and a worker’s right to switch employers. Factoring these obligations in from the start avoids disputes later and keeps your sponsorship in good standing at renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Can a single person sponsor a maid?
Generally no for a bachelor sponsoring a female domestic worker. If you cannot meet the sponsorship conditions, the part-time hourly Tadbeer service is the legal alternative, since the centre remains the sponsor. Check the current conditions against MoHRE’s domestic worker guidance before you commit.
Do Golden Visa holders face different rules?
Golden Visa residents can sponsor domestic workers and often enjoy more flexible dependant sponsorship, but the Tadbeer package, medical and insurance requirements still apply.
What happens if the worker leaves?
A properly registered Tadbeer contract usually carries a replacement or refund guarantee within a set window — confirm the exact terms in writing before you pay.
Bottom line
Expect a realistic first-year outlay of roughly AED 15,000–30,000 once you combine the Tadbeer package, recruitment and the first months of salary, . Sponsor income requirements are set administratively and are not published on u.ae or MoHRE, so treat any single figure you see quoted as unconfirmed and check with a licensed Tadbeer centre. The part-time hourly Tadbeer route is the cheaper, lower-commitment alternative if full sponsorship is out of reach. Always confirm the current fee at a licensed Tadbeer centre before signing, as centre margins and nationality-based costs vary.
