How to Sponsor a Maid Visa in Dubai: Requirements, Costs & Age Limits Explained

Hiring a domestic worker can significantly ease the pressures of a busy household, especially for families balancing careers, children, and elder care in Dubai. However, the process of sponsoring a maid visa can feel overwhelming, especially with new regulatory updates affecting eligibility, costs, and the required documentation.

Understanding the steps clearly, helps you avoid unnecessary delays, ensures compliance with Dubai’s labour laws, and allows you to provide fair and legal working conditions for your domestic workers. This guide, correct as of July 2025, covers requirements, age limits, costs, the application process, and tips to check your maid visa status, ensuring your sponsorship journey is smooth, efficient, and compliant.

Requirements for Maid Visa in Dubai

Before you begin, it’s essential to understand who can sponsor a domestic worker and what documents are needed.

Who can Sponsor a Maid Visa in Dubai?

- The sponsor must be a UAE resident holding a valid residency visa

- Typically, sponsors must earn at least AED 25,000 per month, although this may vary slightly depending on family size and living arrangements.

- The sponsor must live in suitable accommodation that can house the worker.

Who can be Sponsored?

- Domestic workers must be from approved countries under UAE guidelines.

- They must be between 18–60 years old (with exceptions requiring additional approvals).

- Workers must pass medical fitness tests and security clearances.

Documents Required for a Maid Visa in Dubai

To begin the application, prepare the following:

- Passport copies of the sponsor and the domestic worker (valid for at least 6 months).

- Emirates ID copy of the sponsor.

- Salary certificate or labour contract showing the sponsor’s income.

- Ejari (tenancy contract) for proof of accommodation.

- Passport-sized photos of the domestic worker.

- Completed application form from the GDRFA.

- Signed employment contract outlining salary, rest days, and conditions.

- Medical fitness test results for the worker.

The medical fitness test is a crucial step in the visa process, ensuring the domestic worker is fit for employment in the UAE. You can book a hassle-free, efficient Household Domestic Visa Medical Test at Smart Salem to streamline this step and receive fast digital results, reducing your overall processing time.

Age Limits for Maid Visa in Dubai

Age limits are an important aspect of sponsoring a domestic worker in Dubai, and understanding these helps ensure your application is compliant:

- Domestic workers must generally be between 18 and 60 years old.

- In certain cases, workers older than 60 may be eligible with special approval if they are medically fit and their home country’s regulations allow.

- Sponsors themselves should be at least 18, but in practice, eligibility aligns with family visa sponsorship standards.

The UAE regularly updates these criteria, so it is advisable to check the GDRFA Dubai or AMER centres for the latest requirements before starting the process.

Maid Visa Costs in Dubai and UAE

Sponsoring a domestic worker in Dubai involves several fees and costs. Having a clear understanding of these allows you to budget effectively:

Fee Type	Estimated Cost (AED)
Visa application and processing	5,000 – 6,000
Medical fitness test	500 – 700
Health insurance	700 – 1,500 (annually)
Emirates ID and visa stamping	500 – 1,000
Refundable deposit	2,000 (varies)
Typing center fees (optional)	100 – 300

Costs may vary slightly across Emirates, but Dubai often offers digital processing options that streamline applications and reduce paperwork, saving you time.

Additionally, sponsors should consider ongoing monthly salary commitments, annual flight tickets home, and provisions for healthcare, which are part of legal and ethical employment.

How to Sponsor a Maid Visa in Dubai

Here is a step-by-step guide to the maid visa sponsorship process:

- Gather all required documents, ensuring they are valid and correctly attested where necessary.

- Submit an application through GDRFA or AMER centres with required documents, fees, and deposit.

- Arrange for the domestic worker’s medical fitness test at Smart Salem for efficient digital results.

- Apply for Emirates ID for the domestic worker.

- Take out health insurance for the worker as part of visa requirements.

- Complete visa stamping in the domestic worker’s passport upon approval.

How to Check Maid Visa Status

Tracking the visa status of your domestic worker helps you stay informed about your application’s progress. Here’s how you can do it:

- GDRFA Dubai Website: Visit GDRFA Visa Status Check and enter the relevant details.

- DubaiNow App: Offers real-time updates on visa application progress, including notifications.

- AMER Service Centres: Visit physically or call 800 5111 for updates.

If delays occur, ensure your documents are complete, medical results have been submitted, and payment has been confirmed.

Common Best Practices and Tips For Sponsors

- Always renew visas and Emirates ID on time to avoid fines.

- Maintain clear records of salary payments and provide monthly wages on time.

- Ensure the worker receives an annual paid leave and a return flight home upon contract completion.

- Keep health insurance valid and updated throughout the visa period.

- Provide a clear, fair employment contract, outlining working hours and rest days.

Conclusion: Stay Updated and Compliant with Dubai Visa Regulations

Sponsoring a domestic worker in Dubai requires clear knowledge of current regulations, careful preparation of documents, and a clear understanding of costs to ensure a smooth process. By staying informed and compliant, you can confidently provide employment while ensuring the wellbeing of your household and the domestic worker.

For efficient visa medical testing, consider using Smart Salem’s Household Domestic Visa Medical Test to speed up your sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UAE health requirements.

FAQs

What Documents are Needed to Apply for a Maid Visa in Dubai?

You will need a copy of your Emirates ID, passport, tenancy contract, salary certificate, completed application form, the domestic worker’s passport, photos, and a signed employment contract.

How Long Does The Maid Visa Application Process Take?

It typically takes 1–3 weeks, depending on documentation readiness and the medical fitness test process.

Where Can I Check the Status of My Maid Visa Application?

You can track the visa application via the GDRFA Dubai website, the DubaiNow app, or by visiting AMER centres.

What Medical Tests are Required for a Maid Visa Application?

Medical tests screen for infectious diseases such as TB, Hepatitis, and HIV to ensure the worker is fit for employment in the UAE.

Can the Maid Visa be Transferred if I Change Employers?

Yes, maid visas can be transferred, but the new sponsor must meet eligibility requirements, and the transfer process must be completed through the GDRFA, including updated medical tests and new employment contracts.