UAE paperwork · 6 July 2026

Nanny & Housekeeper Visa in the UAE: How Tadbeer Sponsorship Works

Hiring a nanny or housekeeper in the UAE isn’t only about finding the right person — it’s about employing them correctly. Unlike many countries, domestic staff here work on a dedicated domestic-worker visa sponsored by the hiring family. Here’s how it works, what it costs and how long it takes — no surprises.

What Tadbeer is, and why you go through it

Tadbeer is a network of centres authorised by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) — there are well over a hundred across the country. Tadbeer handles the hiring of foreign domestic staff end to end: opening the sponsor file, changing visa status, the medical test, Emirates ID and the labour contract.

There are two routes:

• Through Tadbeer — packaged and simpler; the centre handles most of the steps.
• Direct private sponsorship — arranged yourself via MOHRE channels; usually more expensive.

The steps

1. Sponsor file. The family opens a sponsor file — this needs the employer’s documents and proof of income (expat sponsors must meet a minimum household-income requirement — confirm the current threshold with Tadbeer).
2. Candidate’s entry. If the person is already in the UAE on a valid residence permit, the status is changed from within the country. If coming from abroad, an entry permit is arranged.
3. Medical fitness test — a required step before the residence visa is issued.
4. Emirates ID and the MOHRE labour contract — the contract sets out terms, salary and duties.

Timeline: usually 2–4 weeks from start to the first day of work.

What it costs

As a guide:

• Tadbeer package — roughly from AED 2,500 (basic) up to ~AED 8,500 for a full package (visa, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, contract).
• Direct private sponsorship — more expensive, up to ~AED 17,000.

Beyond the paperwork, for live-in staff the employer usually provides accommodation and meals.

Visa duration

• Expat residents — typically a 1-year visa.
• UAE nationals, GCC citizens and Golden Visa holders — 2 years.

Part-time (hourly help)

Hourly or one-off household help in the UAE is legal only through licensed companies (cleaning / nanny services) that employ their own staff. Booking a private individual “for a couple of hours” outside that isn’t the same thing.

About “own visa” work — honestly

Worth knowing: some domestic staff in the UAE work not under a family’s sponsorship but on their own visa (dependent, freelance, etc.) — this practice exists. We don’t endorse it and only ever employ staff officially, through proper sponsorship. If a family chooses that route, it’s at their own discretion and risk.

Why we favour the legal path: beyond peace of mind, official employment gives contractual protection to both sides — a contract, insurance, and (through an agency) a replacement guarantee. Grey arrangements have none of that.

In short

• Domestic staff in the UAE are employed on a domestic-worker visa, sponsored by the family.
• The simplest route is Tadbeer: 2–4 weeks, roughly from ~AED 8,500 for a full package.
• Part-time is legal only through licensed companies.
• “Own visa” work exists but is a grey area; we work strictly by the book.

If you’d like a vetted nanny, governess or housekeeper in Dubai with correct paperwork — see how we place staff in Dubai or get in touch, and we’ll help with both the match and visa guidance.