How to Find a Maid in the UAE: A Complete Guide (2026)
Finding the right maid in the UAE takes more than a quick search. This guide walks you through every decision you need to make — from figuring out what type of help you need, to understanding costs, legal obligations, and how to screen candidates properly.
Whether you are considering a full time maid, a part time maid, or looking to hire a nanny in Dubai, we hope this information will demystify the process and help you make the right decision for your family.
To learn all the details, keep reading below, or for a quicker way to get the information, call us .
Decide What Type of Help You Need
Start by choosing the arrangement that fits your household:
- full-time maid :8–10 hours a day, six days a week. Best for large families needing daily cleaning, cooking, and childcare.
- part-time maid : a few hours per day or on specific days. Ideal if you need light help without full-time commitment.
- Live-in maid : stays in your home. You provide accommodation, meals, and full visa sponsorship.
- Live-out maid : works daily and returns to her own accommodation. Visa sponsorship is still required unless she already has her own residency.
Not sure which suits your household? Read our full live-in vs live-out comparison.
Understand the Costs and Your Legal Obligations
Monthly salary ranges from AED 1,300 to 3,500 depending on nationality, skills, and experience. Nannies and specialists in newborn care or cooking sit at the higher end. On top of salary, budget for visa and sponsorship costs if needed — see our maid visa cost breakdown for a full comparison — plus a trial period at AED 100–200 per day.
As an employer under UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 you are required to provide a written contract, one rest day per week, medical insurance, a return air ticket at end of contract, and visa sponsorship if she has no existing residency. Hiring through a MOHRE-licensed platform or Tadbeer-affiliated centre keeps you fully compliant from day one.
Where to Find a Maid in the UAE
Word of mouth — free but no vetting. You rely entirely on someone else's experience.
- Online platform — you browse verified profiles, filter by skills, nationality, and availability, and contact candidates directly. Faster, more transparent, and cheaper than an agency. MaidFinder is the UAE's largest verified directory with 20,000+ successful hires and direct access to live-in and live-out candidates.
Traditional agency — handles matching for you but takes weeks and charges a placement fee on top of salary.
Screen, Trial, and Hire
Before agreeing to a trial ask every candidate: how many years of experience do you have, what were your previous duties, are you comfortable with children or cooking or elderly care, do you have a valid visa or need sponsorship, and what are your salary expectations.
Once you have a shortlist, run a 3–7 day trial at AED 100–200 per day to assess work quality, reliability, and compatibility with your household. When the trial goes well, confirm salary, start date, and visa arrangements in writing before she begins full-time.
Ready to Find Your Maid?
Browse hundreds of verified profiles — filter by nationality, skills, and availability. Free to explore, no commitment needed.
Browse Available Maids