Yes – Golden Visa holders and UAE nationals can get a maid visa, either by sponsoring the maid themselves or through a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre. With Derby, the maid visa for Golden Visa holders and UAE nationals costs exactly the same as for any other family: AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years, with everything done online.
Below we explain the sponsorship rules for each group, what a private sponsor pays, how many maids you can sponsor and why many busy households choose to let a Tadbeer centre handle the visa instead.
Key facts
- Golden Visa holders may sponsor domestic workers; the number is linked to financial solvency (Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022).
- A Golden Visa does not automatically give your maid a 10-year visa – domestic worker contracts are usually 2 years and renewable.
- UAE nationals can sponsor domestic workers privately or through a Tadbeer centre.
- Derby: same price and same process for Golden Visa holders and UAE nationals.
- From AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years, or AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excluded).
- No office visits, processing from 7 working days.
Maid visa for Golden Visa holders
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and other eligible groups. One of its benefits relates to household staff. The Golden residence rules in Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 state that a Golden Visa holder may sponsor domestic workers based on their financial solvency. In practice, this means there is no small fixed cap written into the Golden Visa rules – but every application still needs approval.
Will my maid get the same visa length as me?
No. The Golden residence rules let close family members, such as a spouse and children, receive residency linked to the holder's visa. Domestic workers are different: they are employed on a MoHRE standard contract under the domestic workers law, which is usually for two years and can be renewed. So even with a 10-year Golden Visa, you should expect your maid's visa to follow the normal domestic worker cycle.
Maid visa cost for Golden Visa holders
For immigration purposes, Golden Visa holders who are not UAE citizens are still foreign residents. If you sponsor privately, you can expect to pay the usual set of government charges – entry permit or change of status, residence, Emirates ID, medical, health insurance, contract and typing fees – plus the annual recruitment fee or guarantee that ICP lists for foreign resident sponsors of domestic workers. Derby's comparison puts private sponsorship at typically AED 17,000 or more over two years.
If Derby sponsors your maid, you simply pay our package price. See the full fee picture in our maid visa cost guide.
Maid visa for UAE nationals
Emirati families can sponsor domestic workers directly through MoHRE and ICP. Government fees for citizen sponsors are generally lower than for foreign residents – for example, Abu Dhabi's TAMM portal lists a much smaller residence permit fee for citizen sponsors than for resident sponsors, because residents also pay a guarantee.
The domestic workers law does not set a fixed number of workers in its text. Approvals usually depend on the household's needs and financial capacity, so check with MoHRE if you plan to employ several workers.
Even so, many UAE nationals prefer to use a Tadbeer centre. Private sponsorship still means typing, medical appointments, biometrics, insurance, WPS payroll and renewals – all of which take time. With Derby, those tasks are handled for you, at the same price and process as any other family.
Private sponsorship vs Derby: comparison
| Golden Visa holder (private) | UAE national (private) | With Derby (both groups) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is the sponsor | You | You | Derby |
| Number of maids | Linked to financial solvency | Subject to MoHRE approval | Ask our team |
| Annual recruitment fee / guarantee | Applies to foreign resident sponsors | Generally lower citizen fees | Not paid by you |
| Paperwork and office visits | Around 6+ visits | Several visits | None – fully online |
| Health insurance, WPS payroll, travel NOC | Arrange yourself | Arrange yourself | Included (travel NOC free) |
| Price for 2 years | Typically AED 17,000+ (Derby estimate) | Varies | AED 7,139 + VAT + AED 160/month (VAT included), or AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excluded) |
For a wider look at both routes, read private sponsorship vs maid visa sponsorship company.
How to apply with Derby
- Apply online in 5 minutes. Share your details and your maid's passport and photo.
- Choose a plan. Monthly plan (AED 7,139 + VAT plus AED 160 per month, VAT included) or lump sum (AED 9,499, VAT excluded). Split payment at 0% interest is available.
- Sign online. The contract is signed digitally.
- Entry permit or change of status. We sponsor maids inside the UAE, or from outside the UAE – currently from India and the Philippines. All nationalities are subject to visa approval.
- Medical and biometrics. In Dubai, free concierge pick-up, drop-off and assistance for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Visa issued. 2-year visa, Emirates ID and 2-year health insurance.
- Payroll. WPS-protected salary with a personal ATM card for your maid.
We sponsor maids aged 18 to 60. Want to know what we ask for? See our maid visa requirements guide.
Why Golden Visa holders and Emirati families choose Derby
- Time saved: no office visits and no paperwork chasing.
- Clear pricing: one package price, with the same rate in every emirate.
- A real person: a dedicated customer support contact from start to finish – no bots, no call centres.
- Track record: 12+ years, 12,000+ visas issued, 10,000 happy families and a 4.8/5 rating on Google.
- Need a full-time maid instead? Explore our live-in and live-out full-time maids.
See our current offers or contact us for a quote on visa renewal or transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can Golden Visa holders sponsor a maid in the UAE?
Yes. Under the Golden residence rules (Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022), a Golden Visa holder may sponsor domestic workers, with the number linked to the sponsor's financial solvency. Golden Visa holders can also use Derby, which sponsors the maid for them at the same price and process as any other family.
Does my maid get a 10-year visa if I have a Golden Visa?
Not automatically. The Golden Visa extends to close family members, but domestic workers are employed on a MoHRE contract, which is usually for two years and renewable. Derby's maid visa is a 2-year visa.
What is the maid visa cost for Golden Visa holders?
With Derby, Golden Visa holders pay the same as everyone else: AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years plus an agency fee of AED 160 per month (VAT included), or AED 9,499 (VAT excluded) as a one-time lump sum. If you sponsor privately as a foreign resident, you pay the government fees yourself, including the annual recruitment fee or guarantee that ICP lists for resident sponsors.
Can UAE nationals use a Tadbeer centre for a maid visa?
Yes. UAE nationals can sponsor domestic workers themselves or use a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre such as Derby. With Derby, the price and online process are the same as for any other family, and Derby handles the paperwork, insurance and payroll.
How many maids can a UAE national sponsor?
The domestic workers law does not set a fixed number in its text. Approvals usually depend on the household's needs and financial capacity, so check with MoHRE before applying for several workers. For questions about your household, contact our team.
Do Golden Visa holders need to visit government offices?
If you sponsor privately, several visits are usually needed for typing, medical and biometrics. With Derby, everything is online, including signing the contract, and in Dubai our free concierge helps your maid with her medical test and Emirates ID appointments.
