UAE domestic worker visa guide
The visa journey for a domestic worker in the UAE — entry permit, medical fitness, residence visa and Emirates ID — and how Ployer structures the workflow around it.
The short answer
A domestic worker in the UAE is sponsored by the employer through a multi-step visa process: the employment offer is registered through the MOHRE-regulated channel, then ICP issues an entry permit, the worker completes a medical fitness test on arrival, and a residence visa and Emirates ID are issued. Every step depends on current official requirements and fees.
The UAE domestic worker visa process
Confirm employer eligibility
Check you meet the current sponsorship requirements under MOHRE rules.
Register the employment offer
Register the contract through the official MOHRE-regulated channel or a Tadbeer service centre.
Apply for the entry permit
Submit the entry permit application through ICP once the offer is registered.
Medical fitness test
The worker completes the UAE medical fitness test after arrival.
Residence visa and Emirates ID
Complete the residence visa stamping and Emirates ID application through ICP.
Arrival and document management
Keep visa documents, medical results and Emirates ID details in one place.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for private households in the UAE — Emirati families, expatriate residents and sponsors — who are sponsoring a domestic worker and need to understand the visa steps, documents and indicative costs.
- Employers sponsoring a worker from abroad
- Households renewing or transferring a worker's residence visa
- Expatriate residents completing the entry permit and medical steps
- Families confirming what ICP and MOHRE require today
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 UAE-specific checklist that tracks the contract, entry permit, medical, residence visa, Emirates ID and arrival steps.
- 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 visa files
- Onboarding journey tracking from offer to work start
- WhatsApp connection so workers and sponsors can stay in touch
How does the domestic worker visa work in the UAE?
The UAE residence visa for domestic workers follows a standard federal sequence. The employment offer is registered through the MOHRE-regulated framework, then ICP processes the entry permit, the worker completes a medical fitness test in the UAE, and the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued. Sponsorship, fees and timing follow current official rules.
- Confirm you are eligible to sponsor a domestic worker under current MOHRE rules.
- Register the employment offer and contract through the official MOHRE-regulated channel or a Tadbeer service centre.
- Apply for the UAE entry permit through ICP once the offer is registered.
- The worker travels to the UAE on the entry permit.
- Complete the medical fitness test at an approved health centre.
- Complete the residence visa stamping and Emirates ID application through ICP, then keep every document on record.
Which documents are required?
The visa document set is consistent across the UAE framework, with source-country requirements possibly adding to it.
| Document | Who provides it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (valid well beyond the contract period) | Worker | Identity and visa processing |
| Registered employment offer / contract | Employer + worker | Terms, duties, salary, accommodation |
| UAE entry permit | ICP | Legal entry into the UAE |
| Medical fitness certificate | Approved health centre | Required for the residence visa |
| Residence visa | ICP | Legal stay and work |
| Emirates ID | ICP | Official UAE identity card |
| Passport photos | Worker | Visa and Emirates ID documents |
Core UAE domestic worker visa document set. Additional documents may apply depending on source-country requirements.
How much can it cost?
Visa costs split into ICP official fees, medical charges and any service fees. Figures below are indicative ranges in AED for planning; confirm the current ICP fee schedule before starting.
| Cost item | Indicative range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | AED 100 – AED 300 | ICP official fees; confirm current schedule |
| Medical fitness test | AED 100 – AED 500 | Approved health centre in the UAE |
| Residence visa | AED 100 – AED 300 | ICP official fees; confirm current schedule |
| Emirates ID | AED 100 – AED 200 | ICP issuance fee; confirm current schedule |
| Typing / service fees | Varies by route | Only through lawful service channels |
| Monthly salary | AED 1,800 – AED 4,000 | Indicative; depends on role, experience and duties |
Indicative planning ranges in AED as of September 2026. Always confirm current official fees with ICP and MOHRE.
How long can it take?
A straightforward visa case can complete in roughly three to eight weeks from entry permit application to residence visa issuance, depending on source-country processing, medical appointments and document readiness.
| Stage | Typical duration | Depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | A few days to 3 weeks | Source-country clearance, application completeness |
| Travel to the UAE | A few days | Flights and worker availability |
| Medical fitness test | 1 – 3 days | Health centre availability |
| Residence visa and Emirates ID | 1 – 3 weeks | ICP appointments, document readiness |
Indicative planning durations. Delays most often come from missing documents and source-country steps.
What should employers check?
- Confirm current ICP entry permit, residence visa and Emirates ID requirements before starting
- Register the employment offer before applying for the entry permit
- Keep the worker's passport valid well beyond the contract period
- Arrange the medical fitness test promptly after arrival
- Record every document, payment and receipt in one place
- Avoid anyone promising visa or permit guarantees
What protections do workers receive?
The UAE's regulated framework exists so domestic workers are employed through recorded, accountable arrangements. 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
- Recorded medical and visa processing
- Employer accountability through the regulated framework
- Clear communication channel between worker and sponsor (including WhatsApp)
What happens after selection?
Once a worker is selected and the official visa steps are complete, the relationship moves into management: arrival, onboarding, documents, leave, salary and any replacement needs. Ployer tracks this as an onboarding journey with eight steps, and supports replacement workflows if the arrangement does not last.
- Offer accepted → contract registered → entry permit applied
- Travel booked → arrival → medical fitness
- Residence visa → Emirates ID → work started
- Replacement support if the worker leaves early
Domestic worker visa checklist
Tick off each item as it is completed. Keep this list with your application folder.
0 of 10 collected
Common questions
ICP — the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security — processes entry permits, residence visas and Emirates ID. MOHRE regulates the employment framework and contract registration.
The employment offer is registered first, then ICP issues an entry permit, the worker completes a medical fitness test on arrival, and the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued.
Workers normally enter the UAE on the entry permit and then complete the medical fitness, residence visa and Emirates ID steps. Confirm the current sequence with ICP.
Core documents include the worker's passport, a registered employment contract, the entry permit, a medical fitness certificate, the residence visa and an Emirates ID. Source-country requirements may add more.
Indicative planning ranges in AED: entry permit and residence visa roughly AED 100 – AED 300 each, medical fitness roughly AED 100 – AED 500, and Emirates ID roughly AED 100 – AED 200. Confirm current ICP fees.
Typically three to eight weeks from entry permit application to residence visa issuance in a straightforward case, depending on source-country processing and document readiness.
Sponsorship rules depend on your residence status, income and other current criteria. Confirm your eligibility under the latest MOHRE and ICP requirements.
No. Entry permits, residence visas and Emirates ID are issued by ICP under its own rules. Ployer structures and tracks the workflow but never guarantees an official decision.
Worker documents are stored privately in an account-level vault and are only accessible to authorised parties. Public profiles never expose passport or sensitive personal information.
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 sources dated — All official UAE sources (MOHRE, ICP, u.ae) were referenced with a review date of 21 September 2026.
- Last checked 2026-09-21 — Facts, links and figures on this page were last reviewed on 21 September 2026.
- Named author/reviewer — Authored by the Ployer Editorial Team and reviewed by Ployer Compliance & Editorial Review.
- No fabricated ratings — No invented reviews, statistics or unsupported service claims appear on this page.
- Worker privacy — Worker documents are held in a private vault; public profiles never expose passports or sensitive data.
Related guides
Official sources and references
- MOHRE — domestic worker laws and resolutions
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) — official site
- ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security
- UAE official portal (u.ae)
Tell us who you need.
Describe the role once — Ployer structures the requirements, shows verified matches and tracks the UAE workflow.