To sponsor a maid visa in Dubai, you open a sponsor file, get a MoHRE work permit and entry permit (or a change of status), complete the maid's medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance, sign a MoHRE contract and then receive the residence visa. You can do each step yourself, or let a Tadbeer centre like Derby handle everything online, with processing from 7 working days.
Here is the full maid visa process in Dubai, step by step, with timings and tips so nothing catches you out.
Key facts
- About 8 government steps from sponsor file to residence visa.
- Private sponsors typically make 6+ office visits (Derby's comparison); Derby needs none.
- Derby: apply online in 5 minutes, processing from 7 working days.
- Maids already in the UAE can usually change status without leaving the country.
- Medical certificate is valid for about 90 days, so steps need to follow on promptly.
Before you start: choose your sponsorship route
The first decision is who will be the maid's sponsor:
- You (private sponsorship). You must meet MoHRE's conditions – for expatriates, family income of at least AED 25,000 a month and proof of housing – and handle each step. See our full maid visa requirements.
- A Tadbeer centre. A MoHRE-approved centre such as Derby sponsors the maid and manages the process. No minimum salary applies to you. Find out more in our Tadbeer maid visa guide.
The government steps are broadly the same either way. What changes is who does the work, how many trips you make and the total cost.
House maid visa process in Dubai: 8 steps
This sequence is based on the domestic worker visa process published by Tadbeer and MoHRE's work permit service.
- Open a sponsor file. Needed only if you have not sponsored a domestic worker before. Tadbeer says approval usually takes around 24 hours. Expatriate sponsors are generally asked for a refundable deposit (listed by Tadbeer as AED 2,000).
- Apply for the work permit and entry permit. MoHRE issues the domestic worker work permit (its service page lists around 2 working days). If the maid is outside the UAE, an entry permit lets her travel in.
- Change of status (if she is already in the UAE). If she is on a visit visa or her old visa has been cancelled, her status is changed inside the country. Tadbeer notes this is valid for up to 60 days, so the residence visa must be applied for in that window.
- Typing and medical fitness test. Applications are typed and submitted, then the maid takes her medical test at an approved government health centre and must be declared fit to work. Typing must come before the medical.
- Emirates ID and biometrics. The Emirates ID application is submitted, and first-time applicants must give fingerprints and a photo – Tadbeer says within 10 days or the application can lapse.
- Health insurance. Compulsory for all domestic workers. The policy is issued once the medical result, Emirates ID copy and typing are in place.
- MoHRE employment contract. A standard contract covering salary, duties and benefits is signed by both parties.
- Residence visa issued. The final approval. The maid can now work and travel on her residence visa.
Housemaid visa typing and maid visa stamping explained
Typing is the preparation and submission of official application forms – for the entry permit, status change, medical and Emirates ID. Private sponsors usually pay a typing or service centre for each application and visit in person to complete parts of the process.
Stamping is the old name for the final step, when a residence visa sticker was placed in the passport. Since 2022 the UAE has largely replaced the passport sticker with the Emirates ID as proof of residence, and Dubai confirmed it was following the same approach in early 2023. Today, "maid visa stamping in Dubai" generally just means the final residence visa approval.
DIY vs Derby: how the UAE maid visa process compares
| Sponsor it yourself | With Derby | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the sponsor? | You | Derby (MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre) |
| Minimum salary for you | AED 25,000 family income (expats) | None |
| Office visits | Typically 6+ | None – everything online |
| Typing and forms | You arrange and pay per step | Handled for you |
| Medical and biometrics | You take the maid to each appointment | Free pick-up, drop-off and assistance in Dubai |
| Contract signing | In person | Online |
| Processing time | Often around 2–4 weeks in total | From 7 working days |
| Typical 2-year cost | AED 17,000+ (Derby's comparison) | From AED 7,139 + VAT plus AED 160/month (VAT included), or AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excl.) |
For the full price breakdown, read maid visa cost in Dubai.
How to sponsor a maid with Derby
With Derby, the same government steps happen in the background while you deal with one person from start to finish – no bots, no call centres.
- Apply online in about 5 minutes and choose the monthly plan or the Lump-Sum Package.
- Share the maid's documents – our team tells you exactly what is needed.
- Sign the contract online. No office visit required.
- We handle the appointments. In Dubai, we offer free pick-up, drop-off and assistance for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Visa issued – processing from 7 working days. Salary is paid through WPS-protected payroll, and your maid gets her own ATM card.
We sponsor maids already in the UAE, and from outside the UAE we currently sponsor maids from India and the Philippines. All nationalities are subject to visa approval. The price and online process are the same in every emirate; free pick-up and drop-off is available in Dubai only. Check our latest offers before you apply.
Tips to avoid delays
- Check the maid's passport validity early – MoHRE asks for at least three months.
- Do not let a change of status or medical certificate expire between steps.
- Make sure the maid can attend her biometrics appointment promptly.
- Avoid booking travel for her until the residence visa is issued.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the maid visa process take in Dubai?
Through Derby, processing starts from 7 working days. Doing it yourself can take longer, as each government step is separate; general guides put the whole process at around two to four weeks.
What is housemaid visa typing?
Typing means preparing and submitting the official application forms for each visa step, usually at an approved typing or service centre. Tadbeer notes that typing must be done before the medical fitness test. With Derby, all typing is handled for you.
Is maid visa stamping still needed in Dubai?
Since 2022 the UAE has largely replaced the residence visa sticker in the passport with the Emirates ID as proof of residence. People still call the final step stamping, but it now generally means the final approval of the residence visa.
Can I sponsor a maid who is already in the UAE?
Yes. If the maid is in the UAE on a visit visa or her previous visa has been cancelled, her status can be changed without leaving the country. Derby sponsors maids both inside and outside the UAE.
Can my maid travel while her visa is being processed?
Generally no. According to Tadbeer, a worker who has changed status inside the UAE should not leave the country until the residence visa is issued. Plan any travel after the process is complete.
Ready to start or have a question? Contact us, call 058 588 3080 or WhatsApp +971 52 149 4605.
