Legal procedures must be followed when hiring full-time housekeepers from India in the UAE.

The requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers apply to the employment of domestic workers in the UAE. The UAE Domestic Workers Law went into force on December 5, 2022.

According to Article 11 of the law, employers must provide appropriate accommodation, work facilities, meals, and clothing necessary to perform the duties, timely payment of salary, bear medical care costs, respect and courtesy to the worker, incur repatriation costs, and so on.

You must register with the Government of India's E-Migrant web portal (www.emigrate.gov.in) and apply.

Following that, you may approach IVS Global Services (IVS-  a third-party service provider approved by the Indian Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General of India in Dubai, to attest documents.

As a sponsor of a proposed domestic worker's employment visa, you may be required to sign an affidavit at the IVS center confirming that you are not related to the proposed domestic worker, which will be attested by an official of the Consulate General of India - Dubai.

After completing the preceding steps, you must apply to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for the proposed domestic worker's employment visa (entry permit).

You must provide a copy of your passport, original Emirates ID, copy of the passport of the proposed domestic employee, passport size photo (with white background) of the proposed domestic employee, copy of your marriage certificate duly attested in India and UAE; tenancy contract and Ejari of the rented apartment (at least two bedroom) or a copy title deed of your residential property, copy of your bank statement, copy of your employment contract and salary certificate issued by your employer.

Furthermore, once you have received an offer letter in MOHRE-approved format and an entry permit from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai ( (GDRFA), you must submit all relevant documents to IVS as well as a refundable deposit as required by the Consulate General of India, Dubai.

Once the domestic worker's entry permit has been attested by IVS, an agreement will be generated through E-Migrant and sent to the proposed domestic worker.

Following that, the agreement will be sent to the Protector of Emigrants (POE), India, to obtain emigration clearances for the proposed domestic worker to travel.

Once all of the above is completed, your proposed domestic worker may enter the UAE using the GDRFA entry permit. You may then be required to accompany the worker to the Consulate General of India - Dubai for an entry interview within two weeks of their arrival.

Following that, you must make arrangements to sign the MOHRE employment contract.

In addition, the proposed domestic worker must pass a medical fitness examination, and you must apply for their health insurance and Emirates ID.

For further information on hiring maids from India, call the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), a welfare initiative center established by the Government of India for expatriate Indians in the UAE, at 800-46342.

For any enquiries or information, contact ask@tlr.ae or call us on +971526443004