To hire a maid in Dubai safely, check three things first: that she will be on a legal domestic worker visa, that the agency is MoHRE-approved, and that you have interviewed her yourself. Then agree the contract, rest days, total cost and replacement terms in writing before she starts.
A reliable full-time maid can make daily life much easier – but a rushed hire can cost you money, time and peace of mind. Use this 10-point checklist before you commit.
Key facts
- Only hire a maid on a valid domestic worker visa – through a Tadbeer centre or your own legal sponsorship.
- Always interview before hiring. Derby arranges a video interview.
- UAE law gives maids a written contract, daily rest, a weekly day off and at least 30 days' paid leave a year.
- Derby full-time maids: live-in from AED 3,500 + VAT/month, live-out AED 4,500 + VAT/month. The monthly fee includes her salary, visa and insurance. No deposits, cancel anytime, free replacements.
The 10-point checklist to hire a reliable maid in Dubai
- Licensed agency – is it a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre?
- Legal visa – will she be on the correct domestic worker visa?
- Live-in or live-out – which fits your home and routine?
- Total cost – is every fee written down?
- Interview – have you spoken to her yourself?
- Experience and references – does her background match your needs?
- Communication – can you understand each other easily?
- Medical and insurance – are her medical test and health insurance in place?
- Contract and rights – are hours, rest days and leave clear?
- Replacement and support – what happens if it doesn't work out?
Here is what to look for at each step.
1. Use a licensed, MoHRE-approved agency
In the UAE, recruitment of domestic workers is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Tadbeer centres are MoHRE-approved and must follow the ministry's rules. Ask the agency directly whether it is approved, and be wary of social media ads or individuals offering maids with no paperwork. Derby is a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre with 12+ years of experience.
2. Make sure she will be on a legal visa
A reliable maid needs a valid domestic worker visa for your household – either sponsored by you or by a Tadbeer centre. Hiring someone on a visit visa, or someone sponsored by a different household, can lead to heavy fines, and she won't have proper insurance or contract protection. If you're comparing sponsorship options, see private sponsorship vs a sponsorship company.
3. Decide between live-in and live-out
A live-in maid needs suitable accommodation in your home; a live-out maid comes in daily. Live-in is usually cheaper and more flexible on hours, while live-out gives you more privacy. Our live-in vs live-out guide compares both in detail.
4. Get the total cost in writing
Ask for one clear figure covering the monthly fee, any agency fee, visa, insurance and VAT. Check what's included and what's extra. With Derby, full-time maid pricing is simple: the monthly fee already includes her salary, visa and insurance, there are no deposits and you can cancel anytime.
| Option | Monthly fee | Agency fee | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live-in full-time maid | AED 3,500 + VAT | AED 4,500 + VAT per year | Her salary, visa, insurance, 1-month trial period, free replacements, video interview |
| Live-out full-time maid | AED 4,500 + VAT | None | Her salary, visa, insurance, sent to you with no transportation charges, free replacements, video interview |
5. Interview her before you decide
A profile only tells you so much. Speak to her yourself – even a short video call shows you her attitude, confidence and how well you communicate. Prepare a few practical questions:
- What did a typical day look like in your last job?
- Which cleaning tasks are you most experienced in – kitchens, bathrooms, laundry or windows?
- How do you plan a full day of cleaning in a home like ours?
- How do you handle a task you've never done before?
Derby arranges a video interview before you hire.
6. Check experience and references
Match her experience to your household and the cleaning you need. Derby's full-time maids handle tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, kitchen surfaces, sinks and counters, bathrooms, taking out the trash, making beds, machine laundry, and windows and glass doors. Ask how long she stayed in previous roles and why she left – steady, longer placements are often a good sign.
7. Make sure you can communicate
Clear communication prevents most problems. Check that you share a language well enough to explain tasks, routines and safety rules – for example, which cleaning products to use on which surfaces.
8. Confirm the medical test and health insurance
Every domestic worker on a UAE visa needs a medical fitness test and health insurance. With a full-time maid from Derby, visa and insurance are included, so you don't need to arrange these separately.
9. Understand the contract and her rights
UAE domestic worker law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022) sets minimum rights that apply to every full-time maid:
- A written employment contract, with a copy for her.
- At least 12 hours of rest a day, including at least 8 consecutive hours.
- One paid rest day a week.
- At least 30 days of paid annual leave, with a return ticket home once every two years.
- Suitable accommodation (for live-in), meals and medical care.
Two more points many families miss: domestic workers are allowed to keep their own identification documents, including their passport, and UAE rules do not allow recruitment costs to be passed on to the worker. A maid who is treated fairly is far more likely to stay – and that is the real secret to a reliable hire.
10. Know the replacement and support terms
Even with careful checks, a match sometimes doesn't work. Ask what happens if that's the case. Derby offers free replacements for full-time maids, live-in maids start with a 1-month trial period, there are no deposits and you can cancel anytime. A dedicated person – not a bot or call centre – supports you from start to finish.
Red flags when you hire a maid in Dubai
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No visa or "we'll sort the paperwork later" | Risk of fines and no legal protection for you or her |
| Agency can't confirm MoHRE approval | No regulated standards or recourse |
| No chance to interview | You can't judge fit or communication |
| Vague pricing or cash-only payments | Hidden costs later |
| Maid says she paid recruitment fees | Possible unfair recruitment practices |
Ready to hire? Here's how it works with Derby
Tell us whether you need live-in or live-out help, interview your maid by video, and sign online. Her salary, visa and insurance are included in the monthly fee, live-out maids are sent to you with no transportation charges, and our team is a call or WhatsApp away. If you already have a maid and only need her visa, see our visa packages or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to hire a maid in Dubai?
Hire through a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre or sponsor the maid legally yourself. Avoid hiring anyone without a valid domestic worker visa for your household – the UAE imposes heavy penalties for employing domestic workers illegally, and an unregistered worker has no insurance or contract protection.
How do I know if a maid is reliable?
Check her work history, ask about previous duties and references, and interview her before you decide. Derby arranges a video interview before hiring and offers a free replacement if she isn't the right fit.
Can a maid agency charge the maid recruitment fees?
No. UAE rules do not allow recruitment and employment costs to be passed on to domestic workers. If a maid tells you she paid fees to get the job, treat it as a warning sign about how she was recruited.
Should I keep my maid's passport?
No. Under UAE rules, domestic workers are allowed to keep their own identification documents, including their passport. You can keep copies for your records.
How much does a full-time maid cost in Dubai?
With Derby, a live-in maid costs AED 3,500 + VAT per month plus an agency fee of AED 4,500 + VAT per year, and a live-out maid costs AED 4,500 + VAT per month with no agency fee. The monthly fee includes her salary, visa and insurance, and no deposits are required.
What rights does a full-time maid have in the UAE?
Under UAE domestic worker law, she is entitled to a written contract, at least 12 hours of rest a day (8 of them consecutive), one paid rest day a week, at least 30 days of paid annual leave, and medical care. Employers of live-in workers must also provide suitable accommodation.
