Sponsoring a domestic worker visa in Dubai

A domestic worker visa lets a UAE resident sponsor household staff, such as a maid, nanny or driver, to live and work in their home, subject to an income requirement and the official process. It runs through the dedicated government channel for domestic workers, with its own rules on contracts, fees and rights.

Who can sponsor a domestic worker?

A UAE resident who meets the minimum income requirement and has suitable accommodation can sponsor a domestic worker, through the official channel the government operates for this category, which is separate from company employment sponsorship. The income threshold and the eligible relationships or household circumstances are set by the authorities and confirmed at application. We check the sponsor meets the current requirements before starting, so the application is not refused on income or eligibility.

What does the process involve?

The process runs through the designated government service for domestic workers: an entry permit, the worker medical, the Emirates ID, and the residence visa, alongside a formal employment contract that sets out wages, duties and the worker rights. There are government fees and often a deposit or insurance requirement. The sponsor carries specific obligations toward the worker under UAE law. We handle the steps and the documentation so the sponsorship is set up correctly and lawfully.

What are the sponsor obligations?

A sponsor of a domestic worker has legal duties, including paying the agreed wage on time, providing suitable accommodation and the conditions set out in the contract, and meeting the worker rights under the domestic workers law. These obligations are taken seriously, and failing them has consequences. We set out clearly what the sponsor is responsible for, so the arrangement is compliant and fair from the start rather than running into a problem later over a missed obligation.

How does it differ from company employment?

A domestic worker visa is sponsored by an individual for household work and runs through a dedicated channel with its own rules, while company employment is sponsored by a business under labour law for work in the business. The two are not interchangeable: you cannot use a domestic worker visa for company staff or vice versa. We make sure the right sponsorship type is used for the actual role, because using the wrong one is a compliance problem.

What is the next step?

Tell us your situation and the staff you want to sponsor and we will confirm eligibility and handle the domestic worker visa. See our visa services overview, and the UAE Government visa and Emirates ID guide for the official framework. We confirm each figure against the authority that sets it, such as the UAE Government visa and Emirates ID guide, rather than quoting a blog, so the plan holds.