Rules For Housemaid Visa in UAE As Per Labor Law

Every domestic worker (housemaids, cooks, and nannies) in the UAE is protected under the Labour Law with clear standards for employment, remuneration, and working conditions.

For housemaids, this visa is not just a legal requirement, but also an essential piece of document that grants them rights, job security, and eligibility for benefits. It also helps expatriate workers get hired and managed fairly, promoting a safe and regulated working environment.

Rules For UAE Housemaid Visa 2024

To protect both domestic workers and sponsors, the UAE Labour Law has established certain requirements that must be followed by both parties.

As per the latest maid visa 2024 updates introduced with the Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023, sponsors must stay mindful of the following rules:

Employment of maids under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited
Sponsors cannot discriminate based on race, colour, gender, religion and nationality
Sexual harassment ( both verbal and physical) is strictly forbidden
Forced labour or trafficking is strictly forbidden
Exposure to physical harm is punishable by law
Sponsors are prohibited from assigning tasks not covered under contract

To apply, the domestic worker must also meet the following rules for housemaid visa in UAE to become eligible for sponsorship:

Must be between 18 to 60 years of age
Must pass mandatory fitness check
Must hold a valid passport
Must not hold any other valid work permit

There are For Sponsors:

Must have a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID
Must be at least 21 years old
Must not be a single individual
Must earn at least AED 25,000 (or AED 15,000 + housing allowance) monthly
Must rent/own a space with at least two bedrooms.

Housemaid visa process requirements:

Obtaining a house maid visa Dubai starts by meeting a specific eligibility criteria as per the UAE Labour Law, which states that the domestic worker:

Must be between 18 to 60 years of age
Must pass the mandatory health check
Must hold a valid passport with minimum 6 months’ validity
Must not hold any other valid work permit

To apply for the housemaid visa in UAE, the following documents are required from both the sponsor and the domestic worker:

For Housemaids:

Copy of passport and visa
Passport-sized pictures
Medical fitness certificate
Proof of previous work visa cancellation (if applicable)

What is the Cost of a Maid Visa in Dubai

You can get an all-inclusive 2-year maid visa from AED 8,500 using Tadbeer. When applying for a maid visa privately, this cost can be significantly higher. Here is a breakdown of the cost of maid visa in Dubai:

Initial Application Fees: AED 5,000 to AED 6,000
Refundable Deposit: AED 2,000
Medical Insurance: AED 700 to AED 1,000 annually
Annual Renewal Fee: AED 5,000
Monthly Salary: AED 1,500 to AED 3,000
Flight Tickets: Varies (AED 1,500 to AED 3,000)
Annual Leave Pay: Depends on salary
End-of-Service Benefits: Depends on tenure

How To Apply for a Maid Visa In Dubai

If you’re sponsoring a domestic worker visa in UAE, here is a complete step-by-step process on how to apply for maid visa in Dubai:

Prepare Documents: Gather your own and the maid’s relevant original/photocopied documents for submission.
Obtain Entry Permit: Submit your application via GDRFA portal or a Tadbeer center to secure an entry visa.
Complete Medical Test: Schedule a mandatory medical screening for your maid at an approved health center.
Register for Emirates ID: Visit an authorized center for biometric scanning and ID processing for the housemaid.
Sign Employment Contract: Finalize a MoHRE-compliant contract with your maid.
Get Medical Insurance: Secure a health insurance policy for your maid by submitting required documents.
Apply for Residency Visa: Submit all documents and fees to stamp the residency visa on the maid’s passport.

Visa Validity and Renewal:

A domestic worker visa UAE is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Failing to renew the visa on time carries the following penalties:

Up to 6 months: AED 25 per day
6 months to 1 year: AED 50 per day
More than 1 year: AED 100 per day

To renew, sponsors must submit a renewal application along with the required medical certificate, Emirates ID, and insurance documents through GDRFA portal or at a Tadbeer service center.

How to cancel a Housemaid Visa in UAE

To cancel a UAE maid visa, the sponsor must submit a formal cancellation request through an authorized Tadbeer service center or the GDRFA portal.

You must also surrender the maid’s passport, original Emirates ID, submit photocopies of both, settle any outstanding fees, and obtain a cancellation certificate as proof of visa termination.

The maid’s final settlement must also be processed by the sponsor upon termination, including any end-of-service benefits and gratuity.

Dubai Housemaid Jobs Salary

The average salary of a housemaid in Dubai is AED 2,156 per month according to MoHRE. You can expect to pay between AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 per month for a housemaid depending on their skills, duties, and experience.

Nationality can also play a major role in the salary of housemaids in Dubai. Here are the minimum salary requirements of domestic workers from various countries in the UAE:

Philippines: AED 1,500 to 2,000
Indonesia: AED 800 to 1,000
Sri Lanka: AED 825
India: AED 1,100
Nepal: AED 800 to 1,000
Bangladesh: AED 800 to 1,000

Housemaid’s Rights and Protections under UAE Law

Domestic workers in the UAE are granted several legal rights and protections under UAE Labour Law to promote fair treatment and dignity. They are as follows:

Wages must be paid within 10 days of the due date.
One paid rest day per week; 12-hour daily rest (with 8 consecutive hours); 30 days’ paid annual leave.
Round-trip ticket home every 2 years and 30 days of sick leave per year.
Right to retain personal identification like passports and IDs.
Provide proper accommodation, meals, clothing, medical care/insurance, a safe work environment, and compensation for work-related injuries.

Health Insurance Requirements for Housemaids

Every housemaid in the UAE is required to have mandatory health insurance provided by their employers. The legal requirements for this coverage include:

Basic Medical Coverage: Hospitalization, emergency care, and outpatient treatments.
Annual Health Check-Ups: Regular medical examinations to monitor health status.
Prescription Coverage: Inclusion of prescribed medications as needed.
Affordable Premiums: Designed to offer quality care without excessive costs.
Compliance: Meets UAE government standards and is subject to periodic renewal.

What is the end of service benefits offered to housemaids in UAE

Housemaids in the UAE are entitled to end-of-service gratuity upon the completion of at least one year of service. The gratuity benefits are calculated as follows:

For the first five years: 21 days’ wage per year.
For additional years: 30 days’ wage per year.
Overall Cap: The total gratuity is capped at two years’ wage.

Have A look At: Gratuity Calculator Dubai

This payment may be forfeited if the housemaid fails to serve the required notice period, violates the contract, or gets terminated for misconduct.

Conclusion:

Over the past few years, the UAE has adopted a progressive approach towards housemaid visas, easing the application process and setting protections for domestic workers. Emirati sponsors benefit from relaxed visa policies, while expatriates gain access to the supportive, inclusive labor market of Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Only a sponsor can cancel a housemaid visa in UAE before or after 6 months. It must be initiated with mutual agreement through an authorized Tadbeer center or GDRFA portal, following official UAE procedures and maid visa Dubai requirements.

Every housemaid in the UAE is entitled to timely wage payments (within 10 days), one paid rest day per week, and 12 hours of daily rest. They receive 30 days’ paid annual leave, 30 days’ sick leave, a round-trip home ticket every two years, and government protection against abuse, trafficking, and unpaid work.

The probationary period for a housemaid can last up to a maximum of 6 months. This trial phase allows both parties to understand their compatibility, with shorter notice requirements for early termination if standards aren’t met or the maid wishes to leave.

The maximum age for a housemaid in the UAE as per MoHRE is 60 years. If a worker is already in the UAE and their residence visa is cancelled by their employer, they may be exempt from this limit, as long as the visa termination date does not exceed three months.