Domestic worker recruitment in the UAE
A route-level summary of domestic worker recruitment in the UAE — legal routes, key requirements, costs, timelines and the Ployer workflow — with links to every guide in the UAE cluster.
The short answer
The UAE regulates domestic worker employment through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), with entry and residence processed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). Employers hire directly through the MOHRE-regulated framework or through authorised service providers, including Tadbeer centres. This hub links the full UAE cluster: requirements, Dubai and Abu Dhabi hiring guides, Tadbeer, visas and nationality guides.
The UAE recruitment process at a glance
Define the role
Housekeeper, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver — with duties, hours and accommodation.
Choose your channel
Direct through the MOHRE-regulated framework, or an authorised service provider or Tadbeer centre.
Find and compare candidates
Review verified skills, experience, languages and availability before deciding.
Verify and interview
Check key facts and speak with the worker before committing.
Contract, medical and visa
Complete the MOHRE contract, medical steps and the ICP entry and residence processing.
Arrival and onboarding
Welcome the worker, complete final formalities and keep documents in one place.
Who is this hub for?
This hub is the starting point for private households in the UAE — Emirati families, expatriate residents and sponsors in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates — planning to hire a domestic worker lawfully and safely. It summarises the legal routes, then points to the detailed guide for each stage.
- Employers hiring a domestic helper for the first time
- Households replacing a departing worker
- Families in Dubai and Abu Dhabi planning a new hire
- Sponsors working through authorised service providers
Which legal routes exist in the UAE?
Domestic worker employment in the UAE is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), including its framework for domestic workers and authorised service providers. Employers can hire directly through the regulated framework or through authorised channels, including Tadbeer centres. Entry and residence steps run through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
| Route | How it works | Who leads |
|---|---|---|
| Direct employment route | Employer hires through the MOHRE-regulated domestic worker framework, completing the contract and related steps with MOHRE | Employer |
| Authorised service providers | MOHRE-authorised providers and platforms manage parts or all of the recruitment journey | Authorised provider |
| Tadbeer centres | Authorised Tadbeer centres operate under the contract-based framework for domestic workers | Tadbeer centre |
| ICP entry and residence | Entry permit, medical and residence processing through ICP | Employer / provider |
UAE routes at a glance. Confirm the current MOHRE framework and ICP requirements before starting.
What are the key steps employers can't skip?
- Confirm your eligibility as a sponsor under the MOHRE framework.
- Choose your channel: direct employment, an authorised service provider, or a Tadbeer centre.
- Select the worker and agree duties, salary, accommodation and contract terms in writing.
- Complete the MOHRE contract steps and any medical requirements.
- Process entry and residence through ICP.
- On arrival, complete final formalities and keep every document on record.
What do costs and timelines look like in brief?
Total cost splits into official fees, medical charges, travel, and any lawful service charges — with differences between direct hiring, authorised providers and Tadbeer centres. Timeline varies with the source country, channel and document readiness — see the dedicated guides for planning detail.
| Item | In brief | Where to get detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment cost | Varies by channel — direct, authorised provider or Tadbeer centre | GCC domestic worker recruitment cost comparison |
| Requirements | Contract, medical, insurance and identity documents under the MOHRE framework | Domestic worker requirements in the UAE |
| Visa and residence | Entry permit and residence through ICP | UAE domestic worker visa guide |
| Timeline | Channel- and source-country dependent; confirm current processing | How to hire a domestic worker in Dubai |
Planning notes as of September 2026. Confirm current official figures before starting.
What protections do workers receive?
The UAE's regulated framework exists so domestic workers are employed through recorded, accountable arrangements — written contracts, regulated service channels and clear employer obligations. Ployer supports this by keeping the employment route explicit: written terms, tracked documents, clear responsibilities, and a guided process on both sides.
- Written contract with clear duties and salary
- Regulated service channels for recruitment
- Recorded medical and permit processing
- Employer accountability through the MOHRE framework
Which UAE guides should I read next?
Every stage of the UAE process is covered by a dedicated guide. Start with the requirements guide and your emirate's hiring guide, then move to your channel and nationality.
- [Domestic worker requirements in the UAE](/guides/domestic-worker-requirements-uae/)
- [How to hire a domestic worker in Dubai](/guides/how-to-hire-a-domestic-worker-in-dubai/)
- [How to hire a domestic worker in Abu Dhabi](/guides/how-to-hire-a-domestic-worker-in-abu-dhabi/)
- [Tadbeer explained for employers](/guides/tadbeer-explained-for-employers/)
- [UAE domestic worker visa guide](/guides/uae-domestic-worker-visa-guide/)
- [Filipino maid UAE guide](/guides/filipino-maid-uae-guide/)
- [Kenyan maid UAE guide](/guides/kenyan-maid-uae-guide/)
- [Nanny Dubai hiring guide](/guides/nanny-dubai-hiring-guide/)
- [GCC domestic worker visa comparison](/guides/gcc-domestic-worker-visa-comparison/)
- [GCC domestic worker medical comparison](/guides/gcc-domestic-worker-medical-comparison/)
- [GCC domestic worker recruitment cost comparison](/guides/gcc-domestic-worker-recruitment-cost-comparison/)
- [How much does it cost to hire a maid in the GCC](/guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-maid-in-the-gcc/)
What does Ployer provide?
Ployer is the workflow layer around the official process. Employers describe the role once, compare verified candidate profiles, shortlist, interview, and then follow a country-specific checklist that keeps permits, medical, documents and arrivals on track.
- Structured role intake — helper, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver
- Verified skills passports with experience and language information
- Deterministic eligibility scoring against your requirements
- Document vault with statuses for passport, medical and contract files
- Onboarding journey tracking from offer to work start
- WhatsApp connection so workers and sponsors can stay in touch
UAE readiness checklist
Tick off each item as it is completed. Keep this list with your application folder.
0 of 10 collected
Common questions
Yes. Employers can hire through the MOHRE-regulated domestic worker framework, or work with authorised service providers and Tadbeer centres. Confirm the current framework and resolutions with MOHRE before starting.
Tadbeer centres are authorised service channels operating under the contract-based framework for domestic workers in the UAE. The Tadbeer guide for employers explains how they work in practice.
Core documents include the worker's passport, a signed contract under the MOHRE framework, identity documents, medical results and ICP entry and residence approvals. Source-country requirements may add more — see the requirements and visa guides.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) handles entry permits, medical and residence processing for the worker once the employment arrangement is in place.
Both run under the same federal framework, but each emirate has its own service centres and practical steps. Dedicated Dubai and Abu Dhabi guides cover the local detail.
Both nationalities are covered by dedicated UAE guides — Filipino and Kenyan maid guides — with their source-country document and process notes.
No. Contracts, permits and residence are completed through MOHRE and ICP under their own rules. Ployer structures and tracks the workflow but never guarantees an official decision.
What we can evidence on this page
Ployer does not publish fabricated reviews or self-awarded star ratings. Where evidence exists it is shown with its source and date; where it does not exist yet, it is stated plainly.
- Official source review — All route and requirement statements on this hub are drawn from the government portals listed in sources.
- Regulator-mapped routes — Routes reflect the structures published by MOHRE and ICP as of September 2026.
- Editorial review — Reviewed by Ployer Compliance & Editorial Review before publication.
- Date-stamped accuracy — Checked 2026-09-21; requirements change, so confirm current details before acting.
- No guarantees — Ployer never guarantees official permits, visas or decisions — those rest with the authorities.
Related guides
Official sources and references
- MOHRE — domestic worker laws, regulations, resolutions and circulars
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) — official site
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) — official site
Tell us who you need.
Describe the role once — Ployer structures the requirements, shows verified matches and tracks the UAE workflow.