A maid visa in Sharjah can be sponsored by you as a private sponsor or by a MoHRE-approved Tadbeer centre such as Derby. Sponsoring privately means paying all government fees and guarantees yourself – often AED 17,000 or more over two years. With Derby, the 2-year maid visa costs AED 7,139 + VAT, you apply online in 5 minutes and you never need to visit an office.
Below we cover the maid visa cost in Sharjah, the rules you need to know, the documents involved and exactly how to apply.
Key facts
- In Sharjah, MoHRE handles the work permit and contract; ICP issues the entry permit, residence and Emirates ID.
- Health insurance has been mandatory for domestic workers in Sharjah and the northern emirates since 1 January 2025.
- Private sponsorship typically costs AED 17,000+ and 6+ government office visits (Derby comparison).
- Derby price in Sharjah: AED 7,139 + VAT for 2 years plus AED 160/month (VAT included) agency fee, or AED 9,499 lump sum (VAT excluded).
- No minimum salary requirement for you when Derby is the sponsor.
- Processing from 7 working days, fully online.
How maid visas work in Sharjah
Domestic workers in the UAE are covered by federal law – Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on domestic workers and its amendments – so the rules in Sharjah follow the same national framework as the rest of the country. Two authorities do most of the work:
- MoHRE issues the domestic worker work permit and registers the standard employment contract. It also licenses and supervises Tadbeer centres.
- ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) handles residency in Sharjah: the entry permit, change of status, residence permit and Emirates ID.
Your maid will also need a medical fitness test at an approved centre and valid health insurance before her residence visa can be issued.
Maid visa cost in Sharjah
As a private sponsor in Sharjah you pay each government charge yourself. These usually include:
- Entry permit (or change of status if she is already in the UAE).
- An annual recruitment fee or guarantee that ICP lists for foreign resident sponsors of domestic workers, charged per year of the visa.
- Residence permit and Emirates ID fees.
- Medical fitness test.
- Health insurance – in the northern emirates, a basic MoHRE-backed plan has been reported at around AED 320 per year.
- MoHRE contract and typing centre charges.
Fees change from time to time, so always check the current amounts on official channels. Added together, Derby's comparison puts private sponsorship at around AED 17,000 or more for two years.
| Option | Cost for 2 years | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Private sponsorship | Typically AED 17,000+ (Derby estimate) | You arrange and pay every fee; around 6+ office visits |
| Derby monthly plan | AED 7,139 + VAT, plus AED 160/month (VAT included) agency fee | Entry permit/status change, medical, Emirates ID, 2-year health insurance, travel NOC |
| Derby lump-sum package | AED 9,499 (VAT excluded), one-time | 2-year visa, 2-year medical insurance, dedicated support, ILOE included, no monthly agency fee (T&Cs apply) |
For a full breakdown of each fee, see our maid visa cost guide – Derby charges the same price in every emirate.
Requirements for a maid visa in Sharjah
Private sponsor requirements
- Valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, or UAE nationality.
- Household income that meets the MoHRE threshold for sponsoring a domestic worker.
- Proof of suitable accommodation, such as a tenancy contract.
- Health insurance for the maid and a signed MoHRE employment contract.
Documents for the maid
- Passport copy valid for at least six months.
- Passport-size photo with a white background.
- Current visa or cancellation paper if she is already in the UAE.
With Derby as sponsor
There is no minimum salary requirement for you, we sponsor maids aged 18 to 60, and we sponsor maids already in the UAE or coming from India and the Philippines. All nationalities are subject to visa approval. Our maid visa requirements guide explains the documents in more depth.
How to apply for a maid visa in Sharjah with Derby
- Apply online. It takes about 5 minutes to share your details and your maid's documents.
- Pick your plan. Monthly plan or lump sum, with split payment at 0% interest available.
- Sign online. The contract is signed digitally – no office visits.
- Entry permit or status change. We apply on your maid's behalf.
- Medical and biometrics. Your maid completes her medical test and Emirates ID biometrics, and our team guides you through each appointment.
- Visa issued. Your maid receives her 2-year visa, Emirates ID and health insurance.
- Salary set-up. She is paid through WPS-protected payroll with her own ATM card.
Want to see each stage in detail? Read how to sponsor a maid visa step by step.
Maid already in the UAE or coming from abroad?
If your maid is already in the UAE on a visit visa or has a cancelled visa, she can usually change status inside the country, so she does not need to leave. If she is coming from abroad, we apply for her entry permit first. ICP states that residency procedures should be completed within 60 days of the worker entering the UAE, so it pays to start the medical and biometrics quickly – our team will guide you on the timing.
Renewing or transferring a maid visa in Sharjah
When your maid's 2-year visa is close to expiry, the contract, medical and insurance need to be renewed. If she is currently on another sponsor's visa, a transfer may be possible. Derby handles both renewals and transfers – pricing is on request, so ask us for a quote.
Why Sharjah families use a Tadbeer centre
Many Sharjah residents commute to Dubai or work long hours, so finding time for repeated office visits is hard. A Tadbeer centre removes the paperwork, the guarantees and the queues. Derby has 12+ years of experience, has issued 12,000+ visas and is rated 4.8/5 on Google. You get a real person from start to finish, plus free travel NOC and travel assistance.
Still deciding? Compare both routes in private sponsorship vs a maid visa company, check our latest offers, or contact us for a renewal or transfer quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a maid visa in Sharjah?
With Derby, a 2-year maid visa costs AED 7,139 + VAT plus an agency fee of AED 160 per month (VAT included), or AED 9,499 (VAT excluded) as a one-time lump sum with no monthly fee. Private sponsorship typically costs AED 17,000 or more over two years, based on Derby's comparison, because you pay every government fee yourself.
Which authority issues maid visas in Sharjah?
MoHRE approves the domestic worker work permit and contract, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issues the entry permit, residence permit and Emirates ID for Sharjah residents.
Is health insurance mandatory for maids in Sharjah?
Yes. Since 1 January 2025, domestic workers in Sharjah and the other northern emirates must have health insurance, and sponsors are responsible for it when the residence permit is issued or renewed. Derby's 2-year package includes 2-year health insurance.
I live in Sharjah but work in Dubai. Can I still use Derby?
Yes. Derby serves families across all UAE emirates at the same price and with the same online process, so it does not matter which emirate you live or work in.
Do I need a minimum salary to get a maid visa in Sharjah?
Private sponsors generally need to meet MoHRE's household income threshold. If Derby sponsors your maid, there is no minimum salary requirement for you because Derby is the sponsor.
