You can get a maid visa in Abu Dhabi in two ways: sponsor the maid yourself through the federal authorities, or let a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre sponsor her for you. Private sponsorship means paying government fees and guarantees, meeting income rules and visiting several offices. With Derby, a 2-year maid visa costs AED 7,139 + VAT, everything is done online and processing starts from 7 working days.
This guide explains who issues maid visas in Abu Dhabi, what it really costs to sponsor a maid there, the documents you need and the step-by-step process, so you can choose the route that suits your family.
Key facts
- Maid visas in Abu Dhabi involve two main authorities: MoHRE (work permit and contract) and ICP (entry permit, residence and Emirates ID).
- Abu Dhabi services are also available through the TAMM government portal.
- Private resident sponsors pay an annual recruitment fee or guarantee listed by ICP, on top of the usual visa costs.
- Health insurance for domestic workers is mandatory in Abu Dhabi.
- Derby serves Abu Dhabi families at the same price as Dubai: AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years, or a AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excluded).
- With Derby there is no minimum salary requirement for you and no office visits.
Who issues a maid visa in Abu Dhabi?
Domestic worker visas follow federal rules, so the core steps are the same across the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, the main bodies involved are:
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE): approves the domestic worker work permit and the standard employment contract.
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP): issues the entry permit, the residence permit and the Emirates ID.
- TAMM: Abu Dhabi's government services portal, where many domestic worker services (new contract, residence, renewal) can be started.
- Approved medical fitness centres and insurers: the maid must pass a medical fitness test and hold valid health insurance before the residence visa is issued.
If you sponsor privately, you deal with each of these yourself. If you use a Tadbeer centre, the centre handles them for you. For background on how Tadbeer works, see our guide to the Tadbeer maid visa.
Maid visa cost in Abu Dhabi
The cost of sponsoring a maid in Abu Dhabi depends on who sponsors her. As a private sponsor, you pay every government fee directly. One of the biggest items is the annual fee or guarantee for recruiting a domestic worker that ICP lists for foreign resident sponsors, which is charged for each year of the visa. ICP's service page shows this as AED 5,000 per year at the time of writing; check the current amount before you apply.
On top of that come entry permit and residence fees, a change of status fee if the maid is already in the UAE, the medical fitness test, Emirates ID, health insurance, the MoHRE contract and typing centre charges. Based on Derby's own comparison, private sponsorship typically adds up to AED 17,000 or more over two years, plus around six or more visits to government offices.
| Item | Private sponsorship (you pay) | With Derby |
|---|---|---|
| Annual recruitment fee / guarantee (resident sponsors) | Yes – listed by ICP per year of visa | Not paid by you |
| Entry permit or change of status | Yes | Included |
| Medical fitness test | Yes | Included |
| Emirates ID | Yes | Included |
| Health insurance (2 years) | Yes – mandatory in Abu Dhabi | Included |
| Travel NOC | Arrange yourself | Free |
| Typical total for 2 years | AED 17,000+ (Derby estimate) | AED 7,139 + VAT + AED 160/month (VAT included) agency fee, or AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excluded) |
| Office visits | Around 6+ | None |
Want the full fee-by-fee picture? Our maid visa cost guide breaks down each item, and the same Derby prices apply in Abu Dhabi. You can also compare both routes in detail in private sponsorship vs maid visa company.
Housemaid visa requirements in Abu Dhabi
If you sponsor privately
Requirements can change, but private sponsors in Abu Dhabi are generally expected to have:
- A valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (or UAE nationality).
- A household income that meets the MoHRE threshold for sponsoring a domestic worker.
- A registered tenancy contract (Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) showing suitable accommodation, especially for a live-in maid.
- Health insurance for the maid, bought from an approved insurer.
- A signed MoHRE standard employment contract and, for resident sponsors, the annual recruitment fee or guarantee.
Documents needed for the maid
- Passport copy, valid for at least six months.
- Recent passport-size photo with a white background.
- Current visa or cancellation copy if she is already in the UAE.
- Medical fitness result and Emirates ID biometrics (completed during the process).
ICP also states that residency procedures must be completed within 60 days of the worker entering the UAE, otherwise delay fines can apply.
If Derby sponsors your maid
Because Derby is the sponsor, there is no minimum salary requirement for you. We sponsor maids aged 18 to 60, and we can sponsor maids who are already inside the UAE or who are coming from outside (currently from India and the Philippines). All nationalities are subject to visa approval. For more detail on paperwork, read our maid visa requirements guide.
Maid sponsorship in Abu Dhabi: step-by-step process with Derby
Here is how the process works when Derby sponsors your maid:
- Apply online in 5 minutes. Share your details and your maid's passport and photo.
- Choose your package. Pick the monthly plan (AED 7,139 + VAT plus AED 160 per month, VAT included) or the AED 9,499 lump sum. Split payment with 0% interest is available.
- Sign the contract online. No office visit needed.
- Entry permit or change of status. We apply for the entry permit if she is outside the UAE, or change her status if she is already here.
- Medical test and biometrics. Your maid completes her medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, and our team guides you on where and when to go.
- Visa, Emirates ID and insurance issued. Your maid receives her 2-year visa, Emirates ID and 2-year health insurance.
- Payroll set-up. Her salary runs through WPS-protected payroll, and she gets her own ATM card.
A dedicated customer support person stays with you from start to finish – no bots, no call centres. For a closer look at each stage, see how to sponsor a maid visa.
Why Abu Dhabi families choose Derby
- Lower cost: from AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years versus AED 17,000+ for private sponsorship (Derby comparison).
- No office visits: everything is online, including signing the contract.
- Experience: 12+ years, 12,000+ visas issued and 10,000 happy families, rated 4.8/5 on Google.
- Extras included: free travel NOC and travel assistance, WPS payroll and dedicated support.
See current deals on our offers page, or contact our team for a quote on visa renewal or transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a maid visa in Abu Dhabi through a Dubai-based Tadbeer centre?
Yes. Derby is a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre that serves families in every emirate, including Abu Dhabi, at the same price and with the same online process. You apply online, sign the contract online and do not need to visit our office.
How much does a maid visa cost in Abu Dhabi?
If you sponsor privately, you pay the government fees yourself, including an annual recruitment fee or guarantee that ICP lists for foreign resident sponsors, plus medical, insurance, Emirates ID, contract and typing costs. Derby estimates private sponsorship typically costs AED 17,000 or more. With Derby, a 2-year maid visa costs AED 7,139 + VAT plus an agency fee of AED 160 per month (VAT included), or AED 9,499 (VAT excluded) as a one-time lump sum.
Is there a minimum salary to sponsor a maid in Abu Dhabi?
For private sponsorship, residents generally have to meet a household income threshold set by MoHRE, and the figure can change, so check before applying. When Derby sponsors your maid, there is no minimum salary requirement for you because Derby is the sponsor.
Is health insurance compulsory for a maid in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Abu Dhabi requires sponsors to provide health insurance for domestic workers, and valid insurance is needed for the residence visa. Derby's 2-year maid visa package includes 2-year health insurance.
How long does a maid visa take in Abu Dhabi?
With Derby, processing starts from 7 working days. Timing depends on whether the maid is inside or outside the UAE, how quickly documents are submitted and government approvals.
