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Nanny and Maid Guides for Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Straight answers on what domestic help actually costs in the UAE, how sponsorship works, and what the law puts on you as the employer. No sales pitch, no padding. Written for families who are about to hire someone and want the real numbers first.
Quick answers
- What does a nanny cost in Dubai?
- AED 2,000 to 4,000 a month live-in, AED 3,000 to 6,000 live-out. With visa, insurance, flights and gratuity, the first year runs roughly AED 45,000 to 75,000.
- Can I sponsor a maid visa myself?
- Yes. A UAE resident can sponsor a domestic worker directly through a Tadbeer centre. Budget AED 5,000 to 8,000 for the visa package and allow four to eight weeks.
- Live-in or live-out?
- Live-in is cheaper in salary and gives you flexible hours, but you must provide a private room. Live-out costs more per month and suits families who want their home back in the evening.
- What does UAE law require of me?
- Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022: 12 hours rest per 24 including 8 continuous, one paid rest day a week, 30 days annual leave, wages paid within 10 days, and gratuity of 14 days pay per year of service.
All guides
Costs
Salary by arrangement and nationality, the visa and medical bill, insurance, the annual flight home, end of service pay, and what the whole first year adds up to.
Read the cost breakdown
Visas
Who is allowed to sponsor, what Tadbeer does, the documents you need, the step by step timeline, the real costs, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
Read the visa guide
Choosing
A side by side on cost, hours, privacy, housing rules and what each arrangement is actually like day to day, so you pick the one that fits your home.
Compare the two
Ready to start looking?
Browse verified nanny and maid profiles across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, or register as an employer and contact candidates directly.
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