Private Sponsorship Vs Agencies: What It Really Takes To Hire A Maid In The UAE

Understanding the costs, legal responsibilities, and hiring options for domestic workers in the UAE

Published: Mon 15 Dec 2025, 3:27 PM

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Hiring a domestic worker in the UAE involves navigating visa applications, salary transfers, and legal compliance. Many families often weigh the benefits of sponsoring a worker privately versus using an

maids offers a digital platform designed to simplify the hiring process, managing visa issuance, and salary transfers entirely online. Below is a comparison of the costs and processes involved in private sponsorship versus the agency model provided by maids.

Agencies like maids save time, prevent hidden costs, and eliminate legal risks, offering better value and full compliance

Operational efficiency: Agencies like maids are designed to centralize the hiring workflow. This approach aims to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks and minimize the risk of hidden costs or compliance errors.

Legal and ethical responsibilities: Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, UAE employers are required to provide:

• Medical insurance

• End-of-service dues

• Timely salary payments

When hiring through a platform like maids, these Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) requirements are managed by the agency. Conversely, private sponsors act as the employer of record and must personally manage renewals, salary protection system (WPS) compliance, and insurance obligations.

Convenience factors

• maids: Utilises a fully digital process, eliminating the need for physical visits to typing centers or government queues.

• Private sponsorship: Typically requires physical document submissions, proof of tenancy (Ejari), salary certificates, and manual management of periodic renewals.

As the largest domestic worker company in the UAE, maids operates across all emirates including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

• 4.8/5 (based on 14,000+ clients).

• Second-largest employer in the UAE and a leading visa issuer.

• Serves over 25,000 families.

maids is government-endorsed to handle the full scope of hiring, from paperwork to payroll. Data suggests that families switching from private sponsorship to this model can save up to 40 per cent on visa costs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

FAQs: Agency vs. private sponsorship

Which method is recommended for hiring a maid?

The choice depends on the employer's priorities. Agency hiring via platforms like maids focuses on convenience, compliance, and cost-effectiveness, offering a 2-year visa package for Dh8,500.

Private sponsorship provides full personal control but typically costs around Dh17,000 once government fees, insurance, medical tests, and processing charges are included, and it requires the employer to handle the entire legal process independently.

Can I sponsor a maid myself in Dubai?

Yes. Expatriates earning Dh25,000 or more per month are eligible to privately sponsor a domestic worker, provided they manage the legal requirements personally.

How does the digital process work?

maids manages the hiring journey including paperwork, medical testing, and Emirates ID issuance through an online interface, removing the need for in-person processing.

Is hiring through maids legal?

maids, formerly known as tadbeer, has obtained a 4.8/5 rating from more than 14,000 clients. maids is the UAE's second largest employer, with over 28,000 employees. It is also the largest visa issuer, and is ranked among the top government-endorsed service companies in the UAE.

For families prioritizing time savings and guaranteed compliance, agency hiring offers a consolidated solution. For those preferring direct management of the visa process, private sponsorship remains a viable option.

For more information on licensed maid services, visa options, and pricing packages, visit maids.

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