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Here's what you need to know about maids and nannies looking for Domestic Helper jobs on a Freelancer visa or their own UAE residency visa
5 September 2024
| Last updated on 10 September 2024
Looking to hire a maid? Read this first.
Maids and nannies offering to work while on their "own visa" or UAE Freelance visa may sound very tempting, as the employer won't have to concern themselves with work permits, health insurance, and getting a valid visa. It sounds too good to be true - which it is.
Hiring Domestic Helpers with their own independent visa sponsorship poses legal, safety, and ethical risks for both the employer and the worker.
In this guide, we break down why it's important for employers in the UAE to avoid Domestic Workers with illegal "own visas" and "Freelance visas".
Are you allowed to hire maids with their "own visa" in the UAE?
No, it is against the UAE law to hire Domestic Helpers looking for maid/nanny jobs with their "own visa". These include Domestic Workers with their own UAE residency visa sponsored by their spouse, family member, or some kind of agency.
On the official UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) website, employers are cautioned against hiring illegal Domestic Helpers: "This is an explicit violation of legislations and poses health and social risks to employers and their families."
For families looking to hire a full-time live-in or full-time live-out Domestic Helper, the family/employer must be the sole sponsor of the maid's UAE work permit and residency visa.
What about part-time maids and nannies?
It is illegal to do part-time work as a maid or nanny in the UAE, except for cleaners and nannies booked on a part-time basis directly from licensed cleaning companies and nanny services, such as Peekaboo Nannies, Just Life, Urban Company, and Molly Maid.
Legal part-time nannies must only be hired on an ad hoc basis (hourly, weekly, or monthly) through a licensed UAE company offering cleaning, maid, and nanny services. Please avoid hiring independent maids and nannies who operate outside of licensed companies, as this is not allowed in the UAE and you may also not receive any government assistance in case of bad or improper service.
Are you allowed to hire Domestic Helpers on a UAE Freelancer visa?
No, it is illegal for maids and nannies to work Domestic Worker roles in the UAE on a Freelance visa. Just like with Domestic Helpers with their "own visa" status, we recommend avoiding maids who claim to be in the UAE on a Freelance visa.
Not only is this against the UAE's law, but hiring Domestic Helpers on Freelance visas pose safety and ethical risks for both the employer and the worker.
What are the fines and penalties?
Fines of up to AED 200,000
Hiring Domestic Workers on illegal Freelance visas or "own visa" risks hefty penalties, between AED 50,000 upwards to an eye-watering AED 200,000 fine, which will depend on the case.
Risks of no legal protection in the UAE
The UAE Labour Law and UAE Domestic Labour Law are in place to protect both the employer and the worker's rights.
The legal protection and rights that fall under these laws may not be applicable to employers who engage with maids and nannies on illegal visas, or Domestic Workers who choose to violate the local law without proper sponsorship.
Both parties run the risk of having no legal protection in the UAE, and may even face deportation depending on the severity of the law violation.
How to report illegal Domestic Workers in the UAE?
MoHRE officials encourage residents to report any illegal domestic worker practices in the UAE.
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