Tadbeer Maid Visa in Dubai and the UAE (2026): How Tadbeer Works, the Packages, the Cost, and Tadbeer vs Sponsoring a Maid Yourself

The Tadbeer maid visa is the simplest way to hire a housemaid in the UAE: a Tadbeer centre — a domestic-worker centre licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) — sponsors the maid on a 2-year visa, and you pay about AED 7,000–9,000 for the visa plus a monthly fee of AED 100–150. You send the maid's salary to the centre each month and the centre pays her. There is no AED 25,000 income rule for you and almost no paperwork. This guide explains what Tadbeer is, the packages it offers, the full cost, how it compares with sponsoring a maid on your own visa, and who should choose which.

🏢 What is Tadbeer?

Tadbeer (تدبير) is the network of domestic-worker service centres licensed and supervised by MOHRE. The centres recruit, train, sponsor and place household workers — about 19 job categories, from housemaids and nannies to cooks, drivers and private nurses — and they also handle the worker's visa, medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance, contract and renewal. There are Tadbeer centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain.

❓ Is Tadbeer mandatory for hiring a maid in the UAE?

No. You have three legal options: hire through a Tadbeer centre, hire through a private recruitment agency licensed by MOHRE, or sponsor a maid on your own visa if your household income is above AED 25,000 a month. What is not allowed is hiring a worker from an unlicensed source — a social-media advert, a "visa for sale" or a worker on a visit visa. MOHRE warns families about these offers regularly.

⚙️ How does the Tadbeer maid visa work?

On the Tadbeer maid visa the centre is the sponsor. The maid's visa, Emirates ID and insurance are under the Tadbeer company, not on your family file. You agree the package, pay the centre, and pay her salary through it.

Who pays the maid's salary under Tadbeer?

You do — through the centre. Each month you transfer the agreed salary plus the centre fee; the centre pays the maid into her account. Every payment is on record, which protects both you and the worker if there is ever a dispute.

Can I bring my own maid to Tadbeer?

Usually yes. If you have already found a maid — for example one who is in the UAE and free to change sponsor — many centres will put her visa under the centre. Ask the centre what the price is for a worker you bring yourself; it can differ from a worker the centre recruits.

📦 What packages does Tadbeer offer?

MOHRE's domestic-worker system has three hiring models, and Tadbeer centres offer all of them. The names vary from centre to centre, but the structure is the same:

Which package is the "Tadbeer maid visa"?

When people say "Tadbeer maid visa", they usually mean the live-in maid under the centre's sponsorship: the centre holds the visa for 2 years, the maid lives with you, and you pay AED 7,000–9,000 for the visa plus AED 100–150 a month. This is the package this guide prices and the one we recommend for most families.

💰 How much does the Tadbeer maid visa cost?

About AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa, plus AED 100–150 a month — the price depends on the centre and on the worker's nationality. Over two years the 24 monthly fees add AED 2,400–3,600, so the Tadbeer route totals about AED 9,400–12,600 before salary.

Approximate amounts as of 15 October 2026. Each Tadbeer centre sets its own price; ask for the written package before you pay.

What is not included in the Tadbeer price?

⚖️ Tadbeer vs sponsoring a maid yourself: what is the difference?

The real difference is who holds the visa. With Tadbeer the centre is the sponsor and does the paperwork. On your own sponsorship the maid is on your family file: you need a household income above AED 25,000, many more documents, and you renew the visa every year.

Which is cheaper: Tadbeer or own sponsorship?

Tadbeer, for most families. About AED 8,000 on your own sponsorship buys one year; AED 7,000–9,000 through Tadbeer buys two. Even after adding the monthly fee — about AED 9,400–12,600 over two years — Tadbeer usually costs less than two years of own sponsorship, and you save the time spent on documents and renewals.

Which gives more flexibility?

Own sponsorship gives you control: the visa is yours, and you decide on renewal and cancellation. Tadbeer gives you support: the centre deals with the visa, the paperwork and a replacement if the placement fails. For most households, support matters more than control — that is why we recommend Tadbeer.

🧭 Who should choose Tadbeer, and who should sponsor directly?

📂 What documents do I need for a Tadbeer maid visa?

Far fewer than for own sponsorship, because the centre is the sponsor. Typically:

Own sponsorship needs far more, including income proof above AED 25,000 and — for a maid of your nationality — a no-relationship certificate. See our maid visa cost guide for the full own-sponsorship list.

🔄 What happens if the maid does not work out?

This is where Tadbeer helps most. Under MOHRE's rules, licensed centres must either replace the worker or refund the recruitment cost in set cases: the worker is unfit for the job or behaves badly during the 6-month probation, she leaves work without a valid reason, the contract terms are not met, or she is found medically unfit.

How is the refund calculated after probation?

After probation the refund is pro-rata: the total recruitment cost divided by the contract months, multiplied by the months left. If a worker is found medically unfit during probation, the refund is full. Read the refund clause in your package before you sign.

What if a Tadbeer maid leaves without notice?

Tell the centre straight away. Because the centre is the sponsor, it reports the absence to the authorities and deals with the visa — see our guide to an absconding domestic worker for how the report works.

🗓️ What changed? Old rules vs 2026

🚫 What are the most common Tadbeer mistakes?

🤝 Maid visa services by FamilyVisa.ae

📝 Quick recap

• Tadbeer centres are licensed by MOHRE; on the Tadbeer maid visa the centre is the sponsor.
• Cost: about AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa plus AED 100–150 a month — about AED 9,400–12,600 over two years before salary.
• Own sponsorship: household income above AED 25,000, ≈ AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa, ≈ AED 15,000 for 2 years on a Golden Visa.
• Tadbeer is not mandatory — but never hire from an unlicensed source. Each centre sets its own price, within MOHRE rules.
• Replacement or refund within the 6-month probation in set cases; pro-rata refund after.
• We recommend Tadbeer for most families — the carefree option.

🔗 Related guides

• Maid visa service in Dubai
• Maid visa cost in Dubai: own sponsorship vs Tadbeer
• Maid visa renewal in Dubai
• Nanny visa in Dubai
• Maid visa in Abu Dhabi
• Absconding domestic worker: what sponsors must do

❓ Frequently asked questions

1. What is the Tadbeer maid visa?

It is a domestic-worker visa where a Tadbeer centre, licensed by MOHRE, is the maid's sponsor. The centre handles the visa, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance and renewal; you pay the visa price and send the maid's salary to the centre every month.

2. How much does the Tadbeer maid visa cost?

About AED 7,000–9,000 for a 2-year visa, depending on the centre, plus a monthly fee of AED 100–150. Over two years that is about AED 9,400–12,600 before the maid's salary.

3. Is Tadbeer cheaper than sponsoring a maid myself?

For most families, yes. Own sponsorship costs about AED 8,000 for a 1-year visa renewed every year, while Tadbeer costs AED 7,000–9,000 for 2 years plus the monthly fee.

4. Is Tadbeer mandatory for hiring a maid in the UAE?

No. You can hire through a Tadbeer centre, a MOHRE-licensed private recruitment agency, or sponsor a maid on your own visa if your household income is above AED 25,000. Hiring from an unlicensed source is not allowed.

5. Do I need a minimum salary to hire a maid through Tadbeer?

No. On the Tadbeer package the centre is the sponsor, so the AED 25,000 household income rule for own sponsorship does not apply to you.

6. Who pays the maid's salary on a Tadbeer visa?

You do, through the centre. Each month you send the salary and the AED 100–150 fee to the centre, and the centre pays the maid into her account.

7. How long is a Tadbeer maid visa valid?

2 years. The centre can renew it if you and the maid both want to continue.

8. What packages does Tadbeer offer?

Three models: a live-in maid sponsored on your own visa, a live-in maid sponsored by the centre, and a flexible package where you book a worker by the hour, day, week or month.

9. Can I bring my own maid to Tadbeer?

Usually yes. Many centres will put a maid you found yourself under the centre's sponsorship. Ask the centre for the price, as it can differ from a worker the centre recruits.

10. What documents do I need for a Tadbeer maid?

Mainly your Emirates ID, contact details and address. If you bring your own maid, the centre also needs her passport copy and photo; the centre prepares the rest.

11. What happens if the Tadbeer maid does not work out?

Licensed centres must replace the worker or refund the recruitment cost in set cases, such as unfitness or bad conduct during the 6-month probation, or leaving work without a valid reason.

12. How is the refund calculated after the probation period?

Pro-rata: the total recruitment cost divided by the contract months, multiplied by the months left on the contract. A worker found medically unfit during probation means a full refund.

13. What if my Tadbeer maid runs away?

Tell the centre straight away. Because the centre is the sponsor, it reports the absence to the authorities and deals with her visa.

14. Can a Golden Visa holder use Tadbeer?

Yes. Golden Visa holders can also sponsor a maid on their own file for 2 years, at about AED 15,000, but Tadbeer is usually still cheaper before salary.

15. Is a Tadbeer maid covered by health insurance?

Yes. Health insurance has been mandatory for every domestic worker since 1 January 2025, and on the Tadbeer package the centre arranges it with the visa.

16. Does Tadbeer provide nannies as well as maids?

Yes. Tadbeer centres cover about 19 domestic job categories, including housemaids, nannies, cooks, drivers and private nurses.

17. Are Tadbeer prices the same at every centre?

No. MOHRE sets the rules, but each centre sets its own package price, so compare two or three centres and ask for the price in writing.

18. Is the flexible Tadbeer package a visa?

No. The worker stays on the centre's visa and you pay for the hours, days, weeks or months you book. It suits short-term or part-time help.

19. Who renews the Tadbeer maid visa?

The centre, after 2 years, with a new medical, Emirates ID and insurance. On your own sponsorship you renew the visa yourself every year.

20. Which should I choose, Tadbeer or own sponsorship?

Choose Tadbeer if you want no paperwork, have a household income below AED 25,000 or may need a replacement. Choose own sponsorship if you meet the income rule and want the visa in your own name. We recommend Tadbeer for most families.

Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Rules and fees are set by MOHRE and the immigration authorities and can change; amounts are approximate as of 15 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, u.ae — Ministerial Resolution No. 674 of 2022 on domestic workers. FamilyVisa.ae is operated by 800 DOCS LLC SOC, a DET-licensed private visa services company in Dubai — not a government office.