Maid Visa Cost in Dubai (2026): Sponsoring a Housemaid Yourself vs Hiring Through Tadbeer — Costs, Requirements and Which to Choose

The maid visa cost in Dubai depends on who sponsors the worker. Sponsoring a housemaid on your own family file costs about AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa and needs a household income of more than AED 25,000 a month. Hiring through a Tadbeer centre costs about AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa, plus a monthly fee of AED 100–150, and the visa stays under the centre — no income threshold, far fewer documents and no paperwork for you. This guide compares both routes, lists the requirements and documents, shows the full cost over two years, and explains the rules every employer of a domestic worker must follow.

🧭 What are the two ways to get a maid visa in Dubai?

💰 How much does a maid visa cost in Dubai?

About AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa on your own sponsorship, or AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa through a Tadbeer centre. The own-sponsorship figure is an approximate all-in amount for the visa steps; we confirm exactly what is included when we quote. Tadbeer prices differ from one centre to another, so compare two or three centres before you sign.

Approximate totals as of 14 October 2026; Tadbeer prices are set by each centre. The maid's salary, flight and recruitment fee are not included.

Is Tadbeer cheaper than sponsoring a maid yourself?

Yes — own sponsorship costs almost double. About AED 8,000 buys a 1-year visa on your own sponsorship, while AED 7,000–9,000 buys a 2-year visa through Tadbeer; even with the monthly fee, Tadbeer is cheaper over two years. What Tadbeer also saves is the income threshold, the documents and the time spent on paperwork.

📊 What does a maid cost over two years?

The Tadbeer visa is for 2 years, so over two years the Tadbeer route adds up to the centre's price plus 24 monthly fees: AED 7,000–9,000 plus AED 2,400–3,600, so about AED 9,400–12,600 before salary. On your own sponsorship, a Golden Visa holder pays about AED 15,000 for a 2-year visa; other sponsors pay about AED 8,000 for the first year plus a renewal for the second (ask us for the current amount).

✅ Who can sponsor a maid in Dubai?

To sponsor a domestic worker on your own file, a resident needs a household income — husband's and wife's salaries together — of more than AED 25,000 a month, a valid residence visa and suitable accommodation for the worker. Families who do not meet the income rule can still hire a maid through a Tadbeer centre, because the centre is the sponsor.

Can I sponsor a maid of my own nationality?

Yes, but you must prove that you are not related. Your embassy or consulate issues a no-relationship certificate (an attested declaration of non-relationship), which is added to the sponsorship file. Plan extra time for it.

📂 What documents do I need for a maid visa?

Own sponsorship needs much more paperwork than Tadbeer. Typical documents:

With Tadbeer, you mainly provide your own Emirates ID and contact details; the centre prepares the worker's file.

🏢 How does the Tadbeer maid visa work?

Tadbeer centres are licensed by MOHRE to recruit, sponsor and place domestic workers. On the sponsored-by-the-centre model, the maid's visa is issued under the Tadbeer company: the centre processes the permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence on your behalf. You pay the centre's price — AED 7,000–9,000 depending on the centre — and every month you send the maid's salary to the centre, which deposits it into the maid's account and charges a service fee of AED 100–150.

Why do we recommend Tadbeer?

🪜 How do I sponsor a maid myself? Step by step

🔁 How often is a maid visa renewed, and how much does renewal cost?

On your own sponsorship the maid visa is for 1 year and renewed every year; Golden Visa holders get 2 years, renewed every 2 years. Renewal repeats the medical, Emirates ID, insurance and residence steps — no new entry permit. With Tadbeer, the centre renews the visa as part of its service. To end the employment, the sponsor cancels the work permit and the residence — see our visa cancellation guide.

What if my maid leaves without notice?

Report the absence to MOHRE through its absence-from-work (absconding) service within 5 days. A false report is a serious offence, so report only a real absence. If the maid is with a Tadbeer centre, inform the centre first.

⚖️ What rules must a maid employer follow in the UAE?

The UAE domestic workers law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022) applies to every employer, whatever the visa route:

🧾 What costs do people forget when hiring a maid?

🤝 Maid visa services by FamilyVisa.ae

📝 Quick recap

• Own sponsorship: household income above AED 25,000, many documents, ≈ AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa renewed yearly; Golden Visa holders ≈ AED 15,000 for 2 years.
• Tadbeer: 2-year visa under the centre, AED 7,000–9,000 plus AED 100–150 a month; salary paid through the centre.
• Same nationality: a no-relationship certificate from your embassy.
• Every employer: salary through WPS, weekly day off, 30 days' leave, health insurance.
• We recommend Tadbeer for most families — the carefree option.

🔗 Related guides

• Maid visa service in Dubai
• Visa cancellation for family and dependent visas
• Emirates ID status check
• UAE Golden Visa
• MOFA attestation of the marriage certificate

❓ Frequently asked questions

1. How much does a maid visa cost in Dubai?

About AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa on your own sponsorship, or AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa through a Tadbeer centre, plus a monthly fee of AED 100–150. The maid's salary, flight and any recruitment fee come on top.

2. What salary do I need to sponsor a maid in Dubai?

A household income — husband's and wife's salaries together — of more than AED 25,000 a month. Families below that can still hire a maid through a Tadbeer centre, which acts as the sponsor.

3. Is Tadbeer cheaper than sponsoring a maid myself?

Yes. Own sponsorship costs about AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa, while Tadbeer costs AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa, so own sponsorship is almost double. Tadbeer also needs no income threshold and far fewer documents, in exchange for a monthly fee of AED 100–150. For most families we recommend Tadbeer.

4. How does the Tadbeer maid visa work?

The maid's visa is issued under the Tadbeer company, which handles the permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence. You pay the centre's price — AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa — then send the salary to the centre each month; the centre pays it into the maid's account and charges a fee of AED 100–150.

5. How long is a maid visa valid in Dubai?

On your own sponsorship, 1 year, renewed every year; Golden Visa holders sponsor a maid for 2 years. A Tadbeer visa is for 2 years.

6. Can a Golden Visa holder sponsor a maid for 2 years?

Yes. A Golden Visa holder can sponsor a domestic worker for 2 years, renewable every 2 years; the cost is about AED 15,000 for the 2-year visa.

7. What documents do I need to sponsor a maid?

Passports, visas and Emirates IDs of the sponsor and spouse, the attested marriage certificate, salary proof showing more than AED 25,000 together, the tenancy contract and a utility bill, and the maid's passport and photo; a no-relationship certificate if she has your nationality.

8. Can I sponsor a maid of my own nationality?

Yes, with a no-relationship certificate from your embassy or consulate proving you are not related.

9. Can a single person sponsor a maid?

A single sponsor must meet the AED 25,000 monthly income rule alone. If you cannot meet the conditions for own sponsorship, a Tadbeer centre can sponsor the maid and place her with you.

10. What does a maid cost over two years with Tadbeer?

About AED 9,400–12,600 before salary, because the Tadbeer visa is for 2 years: the centre's AED 7,000–9,000 plus 24 monthly fees of AED 100–150.

11. Do I pay the maid's salary directly with Tadbeer?

No. You send the salary to the Tadbeer centre every month, and the centre deposits it into the maid's account.

12. Is health insurance mandatory for a maid in the UAE?

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for every domestic worker and is required before the residence visa is issued or renewed.

13. Which authority issues the maid visa?

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issues domestic-worker permits and contracts; the residence and Emirates ID follow through the immigration authorities, bundled in Dubai on the government's Work Bundle platform.

14. How do I renew my maid's visa?

Renewal repeats the medical test, Emirates ID, insurance and residence steps — no new entry permit. On your own sponsorship you renew every year (every 2 years on a Golden Visa); with Tadbeer the centre renews it.

15. How do I cancel my maid's visa?

The sponsor cancels the work permit and the residence. With Tadbeer, tell the centre, which cancels it as the sponsor.

16. What should I do if my maid absconds?

Report the absence to MOHRE through its absence-from-work service within 5 days. Report only a real absence — a false report is an offence. With Tadbeer, inform the centre first.

17. How must a maid's salary be paid in the UAE?

Within 10 days of the due date, through the Wage Protection System (WPS). With Tadbeer, the centre pays the maid from the salary you send.

18. How many days off does a maid get in the UAE?

One paid day off a week, at least 12 hours of rest a day (8 of them consecutive) and at least 30 days of paid annual leave, plus a return ticket every 2 years.

19. What costs are not included in the maid visa price?

The monthly salary, any recruitment agency fee, the flight and the return ticket every 2 years, renewals on own sponsorship and the end-of-service benefit.

20. Can I get a refund if the maid leaves early?

When you hire through a licensed agency, the domestic-worker regulations require the agency to refund the recruitment fee pro-rata in certain cases if the worker leaves early. Ask for the refund terms in writing before you sign.

21. Is a nanny visa different from a maid visa?

A nanny is sponsored as a domestic worker like a housemaid, so the same visa routes apply — own sponsorship or a Tadbeer centre — while the salary and total cost may differ.

22. Can FamilyVisa.ae arrange my maid visa?

Yes. We compare own sponsorship and Tadbeer for your family, send you the total cost and handle the visa, medical, Emirates ID and renewal.

Last reviewed 14 October 2026. Rules and fees are set by MOHRE and the immigration authorities and can change; amounts are approximate as of 14 October 2026, and Tadbeer prices are set by each centre. Every application is decided by the immigration authorities. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Main official sources: MOHRE — new work permit for domestic workers, MOHRE — renewal of a domestic worker's contract. FamilyVisa.ae is operated by 800 DOCS LLC SOC, a DET-licensed private visa services company in Dubai — not a government office.