A Guide to Hiring a Maid in Dubai
Though the work required to keep a clean and orderly house can often feel exhausting, the benefits can be enormous. After a hard day, many imagine arriving home for a hot supper and a clean house. Is it possible to achieve that with a busy schedule? Probably not.
Hiring house help can provide much-needed support in a metropolis like Dubai. However, the complex maze of legal procedures, visa requirements, and accommodation arrangements can feel like a headache.
This guide on how to hire a maid in Dubai will make your hiring process straightforward.
Step-by-Step Maid Hiring Process in Dubai
Your house will be well-maintained, and you will have more time for your loved ones and important activities when you delegate chores to a maid. Just follow these steps:
1.Verify Eligibility and Choose the Hiring Method
There are two methods to hire a maid—using a maid service agency or directly through Maid Corner. When you hire directly, you can have more control over the selection process. However, a direct hire has a lot of conditions, so it’s best to speak to your public relations officer (PRO), who acts as a government liaison and can ensure you meet all the legal and paperwork criteria.
If you go for the agencies, they can simplify your paperwork and help with all the legal requirements. Research the various companies and look for those with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Check their website to ensure they provide reliable and thoroughly vetted maids. Check their fees and the maid services they offer, like full-time, part-time, nannies, etc.
2.Select Candidates and Prepare Documents
You should be very specific about your wants and preferences while searching for a maid, including:
Duration
Determine how long you will need a maid.
Type of Maid
Choose the kind of maid you wish to hire, whether live-out, full-time, or part-time employee.
Additional Services
Include any specific services you require in your criteria, such as child care or elder care.
Once the right candidate is finalised, collect all necessary documentation, including your passport copy, the maid’s passport copy, a completed visa application form, and an employment contract outlining the agreed salary and job responsibilities. These documents will be critical for the rest of the hiring process.
3.Determine the Costs
The cost of maid services in Dubai depends on whether you choose to employ a live-in or live-out maid. Other variables such as nationality, agency fees, experience, skills, and working hours also influence the cost.
In Dubai, live-in maids are often more costly than live-out maids. The minimum wage for maids based on their nationality is:
- Bangladesh: AED 750
- India: AED 1,100
- Indonesia: AED 800
- Sri Lanka: AED 825
- The Philippines: AED 1,400
The monthly salary of a live-out maid can start from AED 3,500, and for a live-in maid, it can start from AED 2,500. Unlike a live-in maid, the overall cost of a live-out maid does not include expenses like accommodation, food, and living expenses.
You’ll incur additional costs like visa fees, medical tests, insurance, and even agency fees, in addition to legal processes and paperwork. Additionally, you will have to provide the government with a refundable security deposit. These expenses may change based on your specific situation, so check the most recent prices and laws.
4.Do the Necessary Paperwork
Apply for a work permit for the maid at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation(MoHRE) after you have the necessary documentation. As soon as you’ve been accepted, apply for the maid’s entry visa so they may enter the UAE legally. If the maid is foreign-born, then this is a must. The maid will be permitted to go to Dubai with the entrance visa, and then a residence visa can be granted.
Renewing the maid’s visa and associated paperwork is important, and it should be done around every two to three years.
5.Arrange Travel and Arrival
After receiving the entry permit, arrange the maid’s travel to Dubai. Ensure all travel documents are in place. Book flights and coordinate the arrival. Some agencies may handle the travel part if you opt for their services.
6.Complete Medical Testing and Visa Procedures
Upon the maid’s arrival in Dubai, schedule and complete the mandatory medical tests. These tests are required for all domestic workers and must be done within a specific time frame. Following the medical clearance, apply for the maid’s residence visa. When the maid enters the UAE, make sure the visa application is submitted no later than 60 days.
7.Obtain Emirates ID and Health Insurance
Once the residence visa has been granted, obtain the maid’s Emirates ID, which is essential for a legal stay in Dubai. In addition, you must provide the maid with mandatory health insurance. Health insurance coverage for all household workers is part of your legal obligations.
8.Finalise and Register Employment Contract
Once you complete all the legal paperwork, you can sign the employment contract with your maid. Submit the contract to the relevant government authorities to formally complete the hiring process. Registration guarantees that both parties are legally protected during the job.
9.Cultural Sensitivity and Welfare
Recognising and appreciating the diverse cultures the hired maids may come from is crucial. Give them a brief orientation to help them get used to their new environment and feel comfortable in Dubai. Ensuring the health and well-being of the maid is the sponsor’s duty; this includes shelter, food, and medical attention.
Respecting UAE labour rules around work hours, vacation time, and yearly leave is essential. Both parties should sign an employment agreement outlining the duties, compensation, working hours, and other details. A contract typically has a trial term of six months that either side can end.
Choosing the Right Maid From The Best Agency
Hiring a maid from a professional agency would make your workload much easier. Choosing the top agency with good reviews is crucial. Maid Corner’s industry experience simplifies the maid hiring process, ensuring that your house is well-cared for and stress-free.
