Maids and nannies in Dubai

The federal rules for every domestic worker, with Dubai's own health insurance law on top. Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 sets the insurance rule: In Dubai, employers must enrol their employees in health insurance, and sponsors must enrol the people they sponsor who have no employer cover; employers and sponsors pay the cost, may not charge it to the insured person, and must produce the policy when a residence permit is issued or renewed.

The law doesn't name domestic workers: a family falls under the duties it sets for employers and sponsors. Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 on health insurance sets fines of AED 500 to AED 150,000 for violations. MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which issues her work permit, adds a statement of its own. MOHRE's renewal service says that in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, employers are required to provide adequate medical insurance to their domestic workers.

For her residence permit, the federal authority is ICP, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The government's Work Bundle portal sends Dubai employers to the DubaiNow app for domestic-worker services, and links the other emirates to ICP's smart services. Our guide to maid health insurance compares the rules in each emirate.

MOHRE's renewal fee table gives Dubai amounts of its own, separate from the other six emirates, and they turn on who sponsors her. MOHRE says that, apart from federal charges, its domestic worker contract renewal is free on its website and smart app, and that its renewal fees exclude tax and collection charges.

As its renewal service listed them on 29 September 2026, the tiers include these:

• MOHRE's renewal fee table lists a resident employer at AED 5,215 under its one-year tier outside Dubai, and at AED 5,335.75 in Dubai, where it gives no term.
• MOHRE's renewal fee table lists an investor employer at AED 5,265 under its one-year tier outside Dubai, and at AED 5,385.75 in Dubai, where it gives no term.
• MOHRE's renewal fee table lists two terms for UAE or GCC citizens and diplomats: two years for AED 265 (AED 385.75 in Dubai) and one year for AED 165 (no Dubai amount listed).

MWO Dubai, the Philippines' Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, which serves Dubai and the northern emirates. It sets a pay floor for the contracts it verifies. For contract verification, MWO Dubai requires a Filipino domestic worker's contract to set a basic wage of at least AED 1,500 a month.

The Philippine steps differ for a helper recruited from the Philippines and one already living here, so check them before you agree anything. Our Filipina helpers page and guide to hiring a Filipino helper set them out.