Explained: How to bring a domestic helper to the UAE, documents required – News

Step-by-step legal process for hiring a full-time domestic helper in the UAE

question: I read about some legal changes regarding the employment of domestic workers in the UAE. I am from India and looking to bring someone from my hometown to join us as a full time maid. Can you explain the legal process to follow?

Reply: Based on your inquiry, it is assumed that you are married and live in Dubai with your family. Assume further that the domestic helper you intend to recruit from India is an ECR (Requires Immigration Check) passport holder. The provisions of Federal Decree No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers (“UAE Domestic Workers Law”) apply to the employment of domestic workers in the UAE.

The UAE Domestic Workers Law comes into effect on December 5, 2022. Article 11 of the Act sets out the obligations of employers, such as providing adequate accommodation, working facilities, meals and clothing for the performance of duties, timely payment of wages, bearing medical expenses, respect and courtesy to workers, bearing repatriation costs, etc.

You need to register and submit your application on the e-Migrate Portal (www.emigrate.gov.in) of the Government of India (“e-Migrate”). Thereafter, you may contact IVS Global Services (“IVS”), a third party service provider approved by the Embassy of India in the UAE and the Consulate General of India in Dubai, for proof of documents. At the IVS Centre, as a sponsor for the proposed domestic worker work visa, you may have to sign an affidavit confirming that you are not related to the said proposed domestic worker and that this will be attested by an officer of the Consulate General of India – Dubai.

After completing the above procedures, you must apply for a work visa (entry permit) for the proposed domestic worker through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (“MOHRE”). You should meet the requirements such as providing a copy of your passport; original Emirates ID; a copy of the passport of the proposed domestic employee; a passport-sized photo (white background) of the proposed domestic employee; a copy of your spouse’s passport and Emirates ID; Copy of Marriage Certificate duly certified in India and UAE; Lease contract for rental apartment and copy of title deed for Ejari (minimum 2 bedroom) or residential property you own (minimum 2 bedroom); Utility bill issued by Dewa; Your bank statement a copy of the employment contract; a copy of the employment contract issued by the employer and proof of wages.

In addition, once you have received your Letter of Admission issued in the MOHRE approved format and the Entry Permit issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (“GDRFA”), you must submit all relevant documents to IVS and submit a refundable deposit as required Provided by the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Once the domestic worker’s entry clearance is certified by IVS, an agreement will be generated via E-Migrant and sent to the proposed domestic worker. Thereafter, the agreement with certified entry clearance is sent to the Protector of Immigration (POE) in India to obtain immigration clearance for the proposed domestic worker to travel to the UAE.

Finally, after completing the above steps, your proposed domestic worker can travel to the UAE with an entry permit issued by GDRFA. You may then have to accompany the worker to the Indian Consulate General in Dubai for an induction interview within two weeks of the date of arrival. Thereafter, you will need to arrange to sign a MOHRE employment contract. Additionally, proposed domestic workers will need to undergo a medical examination and you will need to apply for health insurance and an Emirates ID for them.

For further clarification on the matter, you may contact the MOHRE, GDRFA and Labor Department at the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Alternatively, for more information on hiring maids from India, you can contact Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), the Government of India’s Welfare Initiative Center for Expatriate Indians in the UAE, toll-free at 800-46342.

Ashish Mehta is the founder and managing partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practice in Dubai, UK and India. Further information on his company is available at: www.amalawyers.com. Readers can email their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.

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