House Maids: The Complete UAE Guide

Hiring a house maid in the UAE can mean anything from a two hour cleaning visit once a week to a full time live in helper, and the rules, costs and paperwork are very different for each. This guide explains your options, what the law requires, realistic price ranges, and how to hire fairly and legally without falling into the informal market.

The three ways to hire a maid in the UAE

Deciding how you want help is the first step, because it determines the cost, the paperwork and your obligations.

• Part time hourly maids through a company: the simplest option. A licensed cleaning company sends staff for a set number of hours, and the company handles their visa, insurance and pay. You pay per hour with no sponsorship burden. Ideal for regular home cleaning.
• Full time live out maid: a maid who works for you full time but does not live in your home, arranged through a licensed agency or centre so the employment is properly documented.
• Sponsored live in maid: you become the sponsor, arranged through a MOHRE approved Tadbeer service centre, with a residency visa, medical, Emirates ID and a registered contract. The biggest commitment, and the most regulated.

If you mainly want the house cleaned rather than a full time helper, a part time arrangement is usually the practical choice, and our guide to house cleaning services covers how those visits are priced and scoped.

What the law says

Domestic work in the UAE is governed by a dedicated federal law, currently Federal Decree Law No. 21 of 2023, which amends the earlier domestic workers law. According to the official UAE government portal, the framework applies to 19 domestic occupations, including housemaids, nannies, cooks and drivers, and sets out clear entitlements for the worker. Verified points include:

• One paid rest day per week.
• At least 12 hours of rest per day, including a minimum of 8 consecutive hours.
• A minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave.
• Wages paid within 10 days of the due date.
• A round trip air ticket home every two years.
• The worker keeps possession of their own personal documents.
• Employment must use a ministry approved contract template, and the minimum age is 18.

Employment matters and disputes are overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, MOHRE, which also approves the service centres that handle domestic worker recruitment. Complaints go to MOHRE for amicable resolution before any court stage. This is not just paperwork: hiring outside the legal channel, for example someone on a visit visa or another sponsor's visa, is unlawful and exposes both sides to penalties.

The Tadbeer route for a live in maid

If you want a full time live in maid, the regulated path runs through a MOHRE approved Tadbeer service centre. These centres consolidate recruitment under one channel and typically handle candidate screening, the ministry approved contract, medical fitness checks, the residency visa and Emirates ID, and orientation. You can either recruit a new worker from abroad through the centre or transfer an existing worker already in the country. The centre model exists so that households deal with a licensed intermediary rather than an informal broker.

What it costs

Costs depend heavily on the route, and every figure below is a broad, indicative range only. Prices vary by provider, nationality of the worker, package inclusions and location, so always get a written, itemised quote before committing.

• Part time hourly maids: usually priced per hour, often with a minimum number of hours per visit. Cleaning materials may or may not be included, so confirm that in the quote.
• Sponsored live in maid: this is not a single price but a stack of costs, typically a recruitment or agency package, the residency visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance, plus the agreed monthly salary. Packages through service centres can range widely, from a lower cost visa focused service to a full recruitment package that is several times higher.
• Ongoing salary: the monthly wage is agreed in the contract and varies with the worker's role and experience.

Because the numbers move constantly and depend on so many factors, treat any single quoted figure as specific to that provider and that package, never as a market rate. For a broader view of how ongoing cleaning help is priced, see our cleaning service pricing guide.

Part time versus full time: which suits you

For many apartment residents and smaller households, a part time maid for a few hours once or twice a week is enough to keep the home clean, and it avoids the cost and responsibility of sponsorship. Larger villas, families with young children, or households that need childcare and cooking as well as cleaning, are more likely to benefit from a full time or live in arrangement. Be honest about the actual workload before choosing, because sponsoring a live in maid is a long term legal and financial commitment, not just a convenience.

If your need is purely recurring cleaning, compare the flexibility of booking through our guide to a maid service near you, which explains how on demand visits work.

How to hire a good maid or agency

Whichever route you choose, a few checks protect you:

1. Use licensed channels only: a licensed cleaning company for part time work, or a MOHRE approved service centre for sponsorship. Never hire informal or visit visa labour.
2. Get everything in writing: the scope, the hours, the price, what is included, and for sponsorship the ministry approved contract.
3. Understand the entitlements: rest days, leave and hours are set by law, so factor them in from the start.
4. Meet or trial where possible: for a live in role, a trial or probationary period helps both sides confirm the fit.
5. Check reviews and reputation: for companies and centres alike, recent, specific feedback tells you a lot.

Maid and housekeeping searches overlap a great deal, so if you are still weighing terms, our companion guides to maids and house keeping cover the same ground from slightly different angles.

A note on Ramadan and working hours

Working hours change during Ramadan, and domestic and cleaning staff schedules often shift accordingly. If you rely on a part time maid, expect adjusted timings, and if you sponsor a live in maid, remember that the legal rest and working hour protections apply year round. Planning around these periods avoids friction and keeps the arrangement fair.

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal way to hire a maid in the UAE?

For part time work, use a licensed cleaning company that employs the staff and handles their visa and insurance. For a live in maid, sponsor them through a MOHRE approved Tadbeer service centre with a ministry approved contract, residency visa and medical. Hiring informal or visit visa labour is unlawful.

What rights does a domestic worker have in the UAE?

Under the domestic labour law, entitlements include one paid rest day per week, at least 12 hours of rest per day with 8 consecutive hours, a minimum of 30 days paid annual leave, wages paid within 10 days of the due date, and a round trip ticket home every two years.

How much does it cost to hire a maid in the UAE?

Part time maids are priced per hour, often with a minimum number of hours. Sponsoring a live in maid involves a recruitment package, visa, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and a monthly salary. Costs vary widely by provider, package and location, so always get a written quote.

Should I hire a part time or full time maid?

Part time hourly help suits smaller households and apartments that mainly need cleaning, with no sponsorship burden. Full time or live in arrangements suit larger villas or families needing childcare and cooking as well, but they are a long term legal and financial commitment.

Can I employ a maid on a visit visa?

No. Employing someone on a visit visa or another sponsor's visa is unlawful and carries penalties, and it leaves you with no insurance or recourse. Always use a licensed company or a MOHRE approved service centre.