One of the first major considerations when relocating to the UAE is your visa. You’ll need one to both work and live here. However, it is not only your visa that you are able to secure when moving to the Emirates.

Maid visa costs and rules

Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you can also sponsor dependants for their visas too. Dependants could be your parents, children or spouse. Alternatively, you can also sponsor domestic staff such as a maid or driver.

In any case, the visa application process is incredibly straightforward. As it is such an important and particular process, however, it is a good idea to seek expert help before making an application for you or anyone else.

To give you an idea of what’s involved, below is an easy to follow guide on the maid visa costs, rules, and application process.

 

How to sponsor a maid/nanny in Dubai

Here’s how to sponsor a maid/nanny in Dubai.

The process
The process of sponsoring a maid or nanny for their visa is almost the same as applying for your own.

First you must apply for an entry permit, allowing your maid to enter the country. Next, the maid must undergo a medical fitness examination which includes a blood test and a chest x-ray.

You must also apply for an Emirates ID card on behalf of your maid. This is a form of identification that must be carried by all UAE residents at all times. The maid’s passport is stamped confirming that they are permitted to work within the UAE.

Finally, you will be issued with a domestic worker card and your maid is free to start work.

The medical test and Emirates ID application must take place within 30 days of your maid entering the UAE.

 

Required documentation
When making these applications, you will be required to submit certain documentation. This may include:

• Completed application form
• Passport copies of maid and the sponsor
• Passport photos of the maid
• Proof of accommodation with a minimum of two bedrooms
• Salary certificate
• Labour contract from your employer

 

If your chosen maid is from the same country of origin as you, you may also need to provide proof that you have no prior relationship.

Making the application
All forms must be signed by an authorised typing centre before submission. Once complete, you should submit your application and supporting documents to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

To avoid delays, it is important that your application and documentation is free from errors and omissions. That is why we advise working with a UAE visa specialist when making your application.

 

Rules for housemaid visa in the UAE

To be eligible to obtain a maid visa, you must be married, the head of your family, and earning at least AED 6,000 per month.
You are able to sponsor mains from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

When sponsoring a maid for their visa, you must keep in mind that you are entirely responsible for their renumeration and benefits while in the UAE. They are considered to be your personal employee.

Maids must be aged over 18, unless they are from the Philippines in which case they must be aged between 30 and 60. You are also contractually obliged to pay your maid the regulated statutory minimum at the least. You are welcome to pay more if you wish.

Minimum wages are different depending on the maid’s nationality.  Country-specific minimum wages are as follows:

Bangladesh – AED 750

India – AED 1,100

Indonesia – AED 800

Sri Lanka – AED 825

The Philippines – AED 1,400

 

As well as paying a minimum wage, you must also adhere to a number of other contractual stipulations.

This means you must pay the agreed wages within 10 days of their pre-agreed due date, offer one day of paid rest per week and 12 hours of rest per day inclusive of eight consecutive rest hours.

On top of this, you must offer medical insurance, 30 days of medical leave, and 30 days of paid vacation leave per year.
Other benefits should include food and accommodation, a suitable uniform or attire and the cost of a round trip home at least every two years.

 

Cost of a maid’s visa in Dubai

There are several components that make up the total maid visa Dubai cost.

After receiving the entry permit, you must pay a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 to submit the rest of the visa application. This is refunded once the maid’s visa is cancelled or expired and the maid has left the country.

Then there is the typing centre fee of AED 218 and the annual fee of AED 5,520 to be paid to the UAE Immigration Department.

You will also need to pay for medical insurance for your maid for the duration of their stay in the UAE. Basic medical cover starts at around AED 700 per year.

 

Applying for a maid’s visa in Dubai

If you’re armed with the right knowledge, applying for a maid’s visa in Dubai doesn’t have to be overly complex.

That being said, it does require a level of prior knowledge of the process. What’s more, it is important to note that the application process is only straightforward if it is complete at the time of submission and free from errors.

To help you to ensure that this is the case, it’s a good idea to work with an expert such as Set Hub when making your application.

As well as handling your visa applications, Set Hub can also assist with company formation, the opening of corporate bank accounts and advise on the most appropriate financial institution to suit your specific needs.

We also offer a wide range of visa and immigration services and can handle all government formalities, permissions, work permits and visas applications that are required to trade in the UAE.

In short, our experts can manage everything on your behalf, make your maid’s visa application and take care of all the necessary admin.