If you live in the UAE and rely on domestic help—whether it’s a full-time maid, nanny, cook, or driver—you’ve probably heard that the rules have changed.
Yep, it’s official. The UAE government has updated its laws for domestic workers through Federal Decree-Law No. (9) of 2022, and these rules are still making an impact in 2025.
So why should you care?
Because these aren’t just minor tweaks. These are real protections and guidelines that every sponsor (that’s you!) and every domestic worker needs to follow—things like proper rest hours, clear contracts, fair pay, and even what happens when it’s time to renew or cancel a visa.
Whether you’re:
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Hiring a maid for the first time,
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Switching from an agency to private sponsorship, or
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A Golden Visa holder who wants help managing a busy household—
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about the updated MOHRE rules. And don’t worry—we’re keeping it simple, clear, and straight to the point.
📌 Need help figuring it all out?
Visit www.imdadhr.ae or chat with our team instantly on WhatsApp. We’ll walk you through the entire process—from paperwork to visa stamping—without the headaches.
👥 Who Is Covered Under the Law?
The law applies to 19 categories of domestic workers, including:
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Maids and nannies
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Private drivers
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Gardeners
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Private tutors
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Household managers
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Personal nurses
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Cooks
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Security guards
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Farmers, horse groomers, and more
All individuals employed under these roles are now formally governed by MOHRE regulations.
📜 Key Highlights of the New MOHRE Law for Domestic Workers in the UAE (2025)
The updated Federal Decree-Law No. (9) of 2022 brings a fresh and much-needed structure to the domestic labor landscape in the UAE. It’s designed to protect both employers and domestic workers through fair, transparent, and enforceable rules.
Here’s a closer look at the most important changes you should know if you’re sponsoring a maid, nanny, cook, or driver in 2025:
1. 📝 Mandatory Standard Employment Contract (No More Verbal Agreements!)
Gone are the days of vague agreements and “word-of-mouth” job terms. Under the new law, every domestic worker must be employed under a standard contract that’s been approved by MOHRE.
What’s inside this contract?
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Job Role & Scope: Clearly outlines what the maid or domestic helper is expected to do (e.g., childcare, cleaning, cooking).
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Salary & Payment Schedule: The agreed-upon monthly salary and when it’s to be paid.
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Work & Rest Hours: Daily working hours, break times, and the weekly day off.
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Annual Leave & Holidays: How much paid time off your helper is entitled to every year.
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Medical Insurance: Confirmation that you’re covering health coverage as required by law.
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Contract Duration: Typically two years, along with termination procedures and notice periods.
🛑 Important: No changes to this contract are valid unless they’re approved by MOHRE and agreed in writing by both you and your domestic worker. This protects both parties from misunderstandings.
2. 💸 Salary Must Be Paid Through Legal Channels
Paying salaries in cash might seem easier, but it’s no longer acceptable under UAE law. To ensure transparency and timely payments, MOHRE has made the following rules mandatory:
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Wages must be paid no later than 10 days from the due date (as per the contract).
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All payments must go through bank transfers or the Wages Protection System (WPS).
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Sponsors should keep proof of salary payments, like bank slips or WPS records.
📌 Heads-up: If you delay or skip salary payments, you could face fines, penalties, or even get blacklisted from future sponsorship.
3. 🧘 Guaranteed Rest, Leave, and Downtime
One of the biggest improvements in the new law is the emphasis on worker well-being. Every domestic helper now has the right to proper rest and recovery.
Here’s what that looks like:
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12 hours of rest per day, including a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep
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One fully paid rest day per week
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30 days of paid annual leave after 12 months of continuous service
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30 days of paid sick leave per year (with a valid medical certificate)
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Access to official public holidays or fair compensation if they’re required to work on those days
🧘♀️ Why it matters: Well-rested workers are more productive, happier, and more likely to stay long-term in a household. It’s a win-win.
4. 🏥 Health Insurance & Medical Care—Now Mandatory
The law now makes it non-negotiable: every domestic worker must be covered by comprehensive health insurance provided by the sponsor.
What does that include?
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Basic health insurance plan that covers hospital visits, emergencies, and routine medical care
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Medical fitness testing upon arrival or renewal
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Coverage for chronic illnesses or any job-related health issues
And here’s an important clause: Domestic workers cannot be asked to perform tasks that may pose a risk to their health or safety, unless those tasks are clearly defined in the signed labor contract and agreed to beforehand.
❤️ Tip: Make sure your maid knows she can reach out for medical support if needed—it’s not just your responsibility by law, it’s the right thing to do.
👉 Need help creating a compliant contract, enrolling your maid in WPS, or arranging insurance?
Let our experts at Imdad HR handle it for you—from A to Z.
📲 Click here to chat instantly on WhatsApp and make sure you’re fully compliant with the 2025 MOHRE domestic worker rules.
5. 🛂 Sponsorship Obligations and Employer Duties
As a sponsor, you’re not just hiring someone—you’re entering into a legally binding relationship backed by MOHRE. The updated law outlines very clear responsibilities that every employer must fulfill when sponsoring a domestic worker in the UAE.
Here’s what’s expected from you:
✔️ Cover All Sponsorship Costs
You are responsible for all costs related to bringing the maid into the UAE and maintaining her legal status. This includes:
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Entry visa and residence permit fees
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Medical fitness tests
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Emirates ID application
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Health insurance premiums
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Any typing or PRO service charges
💡 Tip: Using a Tadbeer-approved agency or a licensed processor like Imdad HR ensures the process is done right the first time.
🏠 Provide Suitable Living Conditions
Your home becomes your maid’s home. The law requires you to provide:
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Safe and secure accommodation, with basic hygiene and privacy
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Clean work-appropriate clothing, provided at your expense
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Nutritious and adequate meals, unless a food allowance is specified in the contract
This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building trust and ensuring your employee is comfortable and respected in your household.
🙏 Respect Personal Freedom and Cultural Values
Every domestic worker has the right to:
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Maintain personal dignity and privacy
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Practice their religious or cultural traditions peacefully
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Be treated with respect and without coercion
Sponsors are strictly prohibited from:
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Withholding passports or any form of identification
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Preventing the worker from contacting their family
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Forcing the worker to do jobs outside the agreed role (like asking a maid to babysit or garden if it wasn’t in the contract)
6. ❌ Prohibited Practices and Legal Penalties
Under Articles 23 and 24 of Federal Decree-Law No. (9) of 2022, the UAE government has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or unethical employment practices involving domestic workers.
Here’s what’s strictly not allowed:
🚫 Practices That Will Get You Into Trouble:
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Hiring anyone under 18 years old
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Engaging in any form of forced labor or trafficking
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Physically, sexually, or emotionally abusing a domestic worker
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Discriminating based on race, nationality, religion, or gender
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Withholding salary or delaying payments
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Assigning duties not outlined in the MOHRE-approved contract
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Holding passports or restricting communication with the worker’s family
📌 Penalties include fines, visa bans, legal prosecution, and being blacklisted from hiring domestic staff in the future.
The UAE takes domestic worker rights very seriously, and MOHRE has the full authority to investigate and act on any reported violation.
7. 🔁 Termination & End-of-Service Benefits
Just like in any other job, domestic workers are entitled to clear end-of-service rights if the working relationship comes to an end—whether it’s due to resignation, non-renewal, or early termination.
🧾 What You Owe Your Maid Upon Exit:
✅ End-of-Service Gratuity
If your domestic worker has completed at least one full year, they are entitled to:
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21 days of basic wage per year of service
This is calculated based on the last drawn monthly salary.
✅ Notice Period
If you or the worker decides to end the contract before its full term, there should be:
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A 30-day written notice, or
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Payment in lieu of notice if early termination is required
✈️ Repatriation
Unless the maid is dismissed due to serious misconduct, you are also responsible for:
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Paying for her return ticket home
This includes airfare and any logistical arrangements needed for travel.
⚖️ Dispute Resolution
If disagreements arise during termination (over salary, leave balance, or contract terms), either party can:
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File a formal complaint with MOHRE
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Request legal arbitration or mediation
MOHRE typically acts fast to resolve such cases and can summon both employer and worker to a hearing.
👩⚖️ Respectful exits build long-term goodwill—and keep you on the right side of the law.
✅ Need Help With Legal Compliance or Visa Processing?
Whether you’re hiring, renewing, or cancelling a maid’s visa, it’s always best to go through trusted professionals. That’s where Imdad HR can help.
📲 Have questions? Chat with us instantly on WhatsApp for expert guidance.
From contract creation to end-of-service calculations, we’ll make sure you and your domestic worker stay 100% compliant and stress-free.
🛡️ MOHRE’s Role: Regulation, Enforcement & Worker Protection
When it comes to domestic worker rights and sponsor responsibilities in the UAE, MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) is the backbone of the system. Their role goes far beyond just issuing contracts—they’re the watchdog, mediator, and enforcement authority all in one.
Here’s how MOHRE works to protect both domestic workers and employers in 2025:
🏢 Licensing & Oversight
MOHRE is responsible for licensing all:
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Tadbeer centers
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Domestic worker agencies
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Recruitment consultants operating legally in the UAE
This ensures that agencies offering domestic worker services meet UAE labor standards, follow ethical recruitment practices, and operate under a regulated, audited framework.
🧾 Contract Audits & Payment Monitoring
Once you sponsor a maid or domestic worker, your employment contract and salary payments fall under MOHRE’s supervision. They:
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Review contract terms to ensure they align with UAE labor law
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Monitor Wages Protection System (WPS) records to confirm salaries are paid on time
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Investigate any irregularities or complaints about unpaid wages, working hours, or abuse
This protects both you and your worker by keeping everything official and trackable.
⚖️ Dispute Resolution & Grievance Handling
Let’s say there’s a misunderstanding—maybe about working hours, days off, or end-of-service benefits. What then?
MOHRE provides:
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Free mediation services through their centers
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Legal arbitration when needed
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Fair hearings for both parties, usually resolved quickly and professionally
You can visit a MOHRE customer happiness center, file a complaint online, or use their toll-free hotline (80060).
🚫 Blacklisting & Penalties for Misconduct
If a sponsor or agency repeatedly violates the law—by delaying salary payments, exploiting workers, or misrepresenting job roles—MOHRE has the power to:
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Blacklist employers or agencies, preventing future sponsorship
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Fine or prosecute violators
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Suspend operating licenses for offending agencies
They take violations seriously because these rules aren’t just policy—they’re about human rights.
👨👩👧 Why This Law Matters to You (Even If You Think You’re “Doing Everything Right”)
Let’s be honest: running a home is hard work. Many families in the UAE depend on maids, nannies, cooks, and drivers to keep daily life flowing smoothly.
The updated MOHRE law matters because it helps you:
✅ Build a Better Home Environment
When workers know they are legally protected, they’re more likely to stay long-term, build trust with your family, and work with peace of mind. That means less turnover, fewer misunderstandings, and a more positive home atmosphere.
✅ Stay Legally Compliant
No one wants to deal with legal issues, fines, or visa bans. This law ensures:
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You have clear guidelines to follow
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All your paperwork (visas, contracts, insurance) is up to date
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Your household help is working legally and with dignity
It takes the guesswork out of hiring and reduces your risk as a sponsor.
✅ Promote Fairness & Respect
This isn’t just about rules. It’s about values.
When you follow the law, you’re not just avoiding penalties—you’re setting an example. You’re showing that your home respects boundaries, rights, and cultural differences. That goes a long way in building loyalty and mutual care between you and your domestic staff.
🧭 Need Help Navigating MOHRE Laws or Sponsoring a Maid the Right Way?
We get it—dealing with government paperwork, contracts, visa renewals, and legal compliance can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a first-time sponsor, a Golden Visa holder, or simply someone looking to renew or transfer a maid visa, we’re here to make the process stress-free and fully compliant with the latest MOHRE guidelines.
At maidvisadubai.ae, we specialize in:
✅ New maid visa applications
✅ Golden Visa sponsor assistance
✅ Contract drafting and renewals
✅ Medical fitness test coordination
✅ Emirates ID and insurance setup
✅ Tadbeer center support
✅ Visa cancellations and transfers
Our team doesn’t just process documents—we walk you through every step, explain what to expect, and handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on your home and family.
📲 Need help right now?
👉 Chat with us instantly on WhatsApp
We’ll answer your questions, guide you on eligibility, and help you start the process without delays.
Or, head to www.maidvisadubai.ae to learn more about our packages and pricing.