Why is Tadbeer the only way to hire a maid in the UAE?

Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 mandates that domestic-worker recruitment must go through Tadbeer-licensed centres to ensure worker rights, contract standardisation, and welfare oversight. Independent recruitment is unlawful and triggers fines for the sponsor.

Visa & Immigration

Tadbeer

MOHRE-licensed service centre network handling all domestic-worker recruitment, contracts, and visas. Domestic-worker permits applied for by family or employer go through the Tadbeer route.

Also known as

Tadbeer Centre
MOHRE Tadbeer
Domestic Worker Recruitment Centre

Attributes

Type	Government-licensed service centre network
Regulator	Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Governing authority	MOHRE
Jurisdiction	United Arab Emirates
Country	United Arab Emirates
ISO country code	AE
Services	Domestic worker recruitment, contracts, and visa processing

What it is

Tadbeer is the MOHRE-licensed network of service centres that handle every aspect of domestic-worker employment in the UAE — recruitment, contract registration, visa issuance, training, replacement, and dispute resolution. Centres operate under federal Domestic Workers Law (Federal Law No. 10 of 2017) and are the only authorised channel for hiring household staff.

Sponsors apply via a Tadbeer centre rather than direct MOHRE / Tasheel channels. The centre handles end-to-end paperwork including the worker's Domestic Worker Permit, medical, Emirates ID, and contract registration.

Key characteristics

Authority: MOHRE-licensed network
Scope: Domestic worker recruitment + visa + contract
Vs corporate hires: Different from Tasheel — corporate hires never use Tadbeer

How it works

Employer visits a licensed Tadbeer centre with passport copies, visa page, Emirates ID, and tenancy contract (Ejari).
Tadbeer sources the worker through approved overseas channels or matches a locally available candidate.
Employer and worker sign the standard MOHRE domestic worker contract in Arabic and English.
Tadbeer applies for the entry permit through GDRFA or ICP systems.
Worker arrives and undergoes medical fitness screening at an approved health centre.
Biometrics are taken for Emirates ID and residency visa stamping.
Residency is activated; employer receives the domestic worker permit and Emirates ID card.
Annual contract renewals, cancellations, or replacements are processed through the same Tadbeer centre.

Types of Tadbeer

Type	Description	When it applies
New Recruitment	Full process from overseas sourcing to residency activation for a first-time hire.	When a family or employer has no existing domestic worker and needs to sponsor a new one.
Local Transfer	Moving a worker already in the UAE from one employer to another through Tadbeer.	When a worker completes or terminates one contract and joins a new sponsor.
Renewal	Extending the existing contract and residency for a continuing worker.	Annually or biennially before visa expiry, depending on contract terms.
Cancellation & Repatriation	Ending the contract, cancelling residency, and arranging exit or replacement.	When employment ends by mutual agreement, termination for cause, or worker request.

Examples

A Dubai family hiring a live-in nanny from the Philippines processes through a Tadbeer centre in Deira, paying approximately AED 8,500 in government and service fees plus a refundable AED 3,000 security deposit. An Abu Dhabi employer replacing a departing driver completes the cancellation at Tadbeer, receives an exit permit, and initiates a new recruitment file for a Sri Lankan candidate. A Sharjah-based company executive sponsoring a maid for their private villa uses Tadbeer rather than direct hiring, as direct recruitment of domestic staff without a licensed centre is not permitted under current MOHRE regulations.

Why it matters

Hiring a maid or driver through a non-Tadbeer route is illegal. Tadbeer is the single legal channel and bundles legal protection, replacement guarantees, and worker welfare oversight.

Common misconceptions

Misconception
Tadbeer is optional and employers can still hire domestic workers directly.
Reality
Tadbeer is the mandatory channel for mainland domestic worker recruitment; direct hiring without a licensed centre violates MOHRE regulations.
Misconception
Tadbeer centres set worker wages arbitrarily.
Reality
Wages follow MOHRE-mandated minimums by nationality and role; the standard contract fixes these terms.
Misconception
The security deposit is a non-refundable fee.
Reality
The deposit is refundable upon contract completion, worker repatriation, or replacement, minus any valid claims.

FAQs

Why is Tadbeer the only way to hire a maid in the UAE?: Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 mandates that domestic-worker recruitment must go through Tadbeer-licensed centres to ensure worker rights, contract standardisation, and welfare oversight. Independent recruitment is unlawful and triggers fines for the sponsor.