In the UAE you can now apply for, renew, cancel and transfer a domestic worker’s visa entirely online through MOHRE — no typing centre, no agents, no queues. This is the complete, plain-English walkthrough: every transaction, the exact documents, the real fees, how long each step takes, and the mistakes that cause rejections. If you’d rather not touch the portal at all, our assistant Nadia can do the whole thing for you on WhatsApp — that option is at the end.
| 🏛️ Authority | MOHRE — Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation. Hotline 800 60 |
| 💻 Where | MOHRE smart app, mohre.gov.ae, or a Tadbeer centre |
| 🔐 Login | UAE Pass (Emirates ID) — a one-time code goes to the ID owner’s phone |
| 🔁 Transactions | New permit · Renew · Cancel · Transfer · Absconding report · Gratuity |
| 💰 New-hire cost | Federal charges only — roughly AED 5,000–7,000 all-in (medical, ID, visa, insurance) |
| ⏱️ Processing | Work permit usually 1 business day; full hire 4–8 weeks |
| 📞 Help | MOHRE 800 60 · or message Nadia on WhatsApp |
🧾 What you can do on the MOHRE system
The Domestic Worker Services bundle on the “Work in UAE” platform lets a sponsor handle the whole life-cycle of a maid, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver in one place:
- Apply / issue a brand-new domestic worker visa & work permit.
- Renew the permit and residence before they expire.
- Cancel the permit and visa when the contract ends or the worker leaves.
- Transfer a worker to a new employer without sending them home first.
- Report absconding, book medicals, and e-sign the contract.
Everything below follows the same secure UAE Pass login — so start there.
🔐 Before you start — who can apply & what unlocks the portal
Two things decide whether your transaction goes through smoothly:
1. UAE Pass on the ID owner’s phone. Every MOHRE transaction is signed with UAE Pass. The one-time code is sent to the phone registered to that Emirates ID — so the sponsor whose name the visa is under must approve the login. You can’t complete it with someone else’s UAE Pass.
2. You meet the sponsorship conditions. You generally need a valid Emirates ID/residence, suitable housing, and to meet a minimum family-income requirement set by MOHRE/your emirate (commonly cited around AED 25,000/month — confirm the current figure when you start, as it varies by case and emirate). The worker must usually be 18–60 years old with a passport valid for several months.
📋 Documents you’ll need
Have clear photos or PDFs ready before you log in — most rejections are just a blurry or expired file.
- Emirates ID (valid)
- Passport & valid UAE residence (expats)
- Tenancy contract / title deed (proof of housing)
- Salary certificate / proof of income
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-style photo (white background)
- Medical-fitness result (done in the UAE)
- Medical insurance (required in Dubai & Abu Dhabi)
🆕 How to apply for a NEW domestic worker visa
This is the full path from zero to a worker legally living and working in your home.
Open the MOHRE app or mohre.gov.ae and sign in with UAE Pass. Approve the one-time code sent to the ID owner’s phone.
Pick the new work-permit service, then the worker’s job category — housemaid, nanny, cook, driver, private caregiver and more.
Type the worker’s passport data and your sponsor information exactly as on the documents. The system validates eligibility automatically.
Attach the worker’s passport & photo, your Emirates ID, proof of housing, and (where required) the medical insurance. Clear files = no rejection.
Pay the government fees by card. You get an instant receipt. The work permit is usually approved within one business day.
If the worker is abroad, an entry permit is issued so they can travel. If they’re already inside the UAE on another status, the system adjusts it — no exit needed in most cases.
Within the first weeks the worker takes the standard medical-fitness test at a government-approved centre. Results post back to the file automatically.
Biometrics are captured and the residence visa is stamped/issued electronically and linked to the new Emirates ID.
Both sides e-sign the standard MOHRE domestic-worker contract. That’s it — the worker is now legally employed and sponsored by you.
⚠️ Common slip-ups: a passport with under 6 months validity, skipping the medical insurance in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, or a name spelled differently than the passport. Fix these up front and the permit clears in a day.
🔄 How to renew a domestic worker visa
Renew before the permit expires — late renewal triggers MOHRE fines that grow by the day.
Begin 30 days before expiry. You can see the exact expiry date on the worker’s file in the app.
Sign in with UAE Pass and select the renewal service for that worker.
Upload a valid health-insurance policy for the new term (mandatory in Dubai & Abu Dhabi).
Depending on age/category the system may ask for a fresh medical-fitness test — book it if prompted.
Pay online; the renewed permit is typically issued the same day.
The residence and Emirates ID are renewed in the same flow so all three stay aligned.
⚠️ Don’t let it lapse. An expired permit means daily fines and an illegal-status risk for the worker. If you’re close to the date, renew now — or ask Nadia to do it for you.
❌ How to cancel a domestic worker visa
Cancel when the contract ends, the worker resigns or is transferred, or leaves the UAE for good. The order matters — do it in this sequence or the system rejects later steps.
Pay the final salary, any owed wages (WPS), and the end-of-service gratuity. Cancellation can be blocked if dues are open.
Log in with UAE Pass, open the worker’s file and cancel the labour contract / work permit.
Then cancel the residence through GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP Smart Services (other emirates), or via an Amer/typing centre.
The Emirates ID is cancelled with the visa; close the health-insurance policy too.
There’s usually a 30-day grace period for the worker to transfer or exit. If the worker has been abroad more than 6 months the residence lapses automatically — but you must still formally cancel the work permit.
⚠️ Never cancel the residence before the work permit. GDRFA/ICP will reject it and you’ll be stuck. Permit first, then visa, then Emirates ID. Cancellation itself is usually free or a small fee (about AED 100–200 via a Tadbeer centre).
↔️ How to transfer a worker to a new employer
A worker can move to a new sponsor without leaving the country when everyone agrees — often cheaper and faster than cancel-and-rehire.
The current sponsor and the new sponsor both consent to the transfer; the worker must agree too.
The new employer logs in with UAE Pass and starts the transfer / new permit for the worker.
Make sure there’s no active absconding report against the worker — it blocks transfers.
The new sponsor pays the permit charges. Processing is usually 1–3 days.
A fresh MOHRE contract is e-signed with the new employer. The worker keeps working — no exit, no re-entry.
🚨 Other transactions you can do here
If a worker leaves without notice, file the official absconding report through MOHRE to protect yourself from liability. Full absconding guide →
Domestic workers are owed a gratuity at the end of service — calculate it correctly before you cancel. Gratuity calculator & rules →
💰 Fees & timeline at a glance (2026)
| Transaction | What you pay | Time |
|---|---|---|
| New permit + visa | Federal charges only — ~AED 5,000–7,000 all-in (medical, ID, visa, insurance) | Permit ~1 day; full hire 4–8 weeks |
| Renewal | Renewal charges + insurance (+ medical if asked) | Usually same day |
| Cancellation | Free or nominal (~AED 100–200 via Tadbeer) | Same day |
| Transfer | New permit charges | 1–3 days |
| Absconding report | Free | Immediate |
Figures are typical 2026 ranges and vary by emirate, worker category and insurance plan. MOHRE’s own permit service is free — you pay the standard federal charges. Always confirm the exact amount on screen or with MOHRE 800 60 before paying.
💬 Don’t want to deal with the portal? Let Nadia do it for you
That’s the second option. Tell our assistant Nadia on WhatsApp which transaction you need — apply, renew, cancel or transfer — and our team runs the MOHRE portal end-to-end for you. You only do two things from your sofa: approve the UAE Pass login code that lands on your phone, and pay the official government fee. We never ask for your password or hold your money.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a domestic worker visa in the UAE?
Sign in to the MOHRE app or mohre.gov.ae with UAE Pass, choose “New Domestic Worker Permit”, enter the worker and sponsor details, upload the documents, and pay the federal charges. The permit is usually issued within one business day; the full hire (medical, Emirates ID, contract) takes 4–8 weeks. Or message Nadia and she’ll do it for you.
Is the MOHRE domestic worker permit free?
MOHRE’s permit service itself is free. You only pay the standard federal charges — medical test, Emirates ID, residence visa and insurance — roughly AED 5,000–7,000 all-in for a new hire.
How do I renew my maid’s visa in the UAE?
Open the “Renew Domestic Worker Permit” service, renew the medical insurance, take a medical re-test if asked, and pay the renewal charges. Do it before the permit expires — late renewal brings daily fines.
How do I cancel a domestic worker visa, and in what order?
Settle all dues first, then cancel the MOHRE work permit, then the residence visa (GDRFA or ICP), then the Emirates ID and insurance. Never cancel the residence before the permit — it will be rejected.
Can I transfer my worker to a new employer without sending her home?
Yes. If both employers and the worker agree and there’s no absconding case, the new sponsor files a transfer on the portal and a new contract is e-signed — no exit and re-entry needed.
What login do I need for the MOHRE platform?
UAE Pass, tied to your Emirates ID. The one-time code is sent to the phone registered to that ID, so the sponsor named on the visa has to approve the login.
Can someone do the MOHRE transaction for me?
Yes. Message Nadia on WhatsApp and our team runs the portal for you. You only approve the UAE Pass code on your phone and pay the official fee — we never take your password or money.
What happens if the worker has been outside the UAE for more than 6 months?
The residence visa lapses automatically after about 180 days abroad — but you must still formally cancel the work permit on MOHRE, otherwise you remain the legal sponsor on record.
📚 Related MOHRE guides
- New work-permit deep dive
- Transferring a worker
- Filing an absconding report
- End-of-service gratuity
- Tadbeer centres explained
🌐 Hiring in another Gulf country? See the complete GCC domestic worker visa guide - all six countries compared.
