From TADBEER paperwork to certification verification, this guide walks UAE families through every step of legally and safely hiring a live-in or live-out caregiver.
The Complete Guide to Hiring a Caregiver in the UAE
Hiring a caregiver in the UAE involves navigating TADBEER regulations, verifying certifications, and understanding visa sponsorship requirements. This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026.
Step 1: Determine Your Care Needs
Before starting the recruitment process, define the type of care needed:
**Elderly care**: Daily assistance, medication management, mobility support
**Post-surgery care**: Temporary skilled nursing assistance
**Special needs care**: Specialized training required
**Child care**: Nanny services with early childhood development focus
**Live-in vs live-out**: Accommodation requirements affect visa type and salary
Step 2: Understand TADBEER Requirements
Since 2017, all domestic worker recruitment in the UAE must go through TADBEER-approved service centers. Key requirements:
**Employer must have a valid Emirates ID** and meet minimum salary thresholds
**MOHRE work permit** application through TADBEER center
**Medical fitness test** for the caregiver upon arrival
**Insurance coverage** — mandatory health insurance for domestic workers
**Standard employment contract** — bilingual Arabic/English, signed by both parties
Step 3: Verify Certifications
Professional caregivers should hold recognized certifications:
**Diploma in Caregiving Level 5** (Philippines TESDA)
**CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)** — internationally recognized
**NCII (National Certificate II)** — Philippines national standard
**First Aid & CPR certification** — essential for elderly care
Our partner CaregiverAcademia.com provides training and verification for all certification types.
Step 4: Salary Expectations
| Role | Live-In | Live-Out |
|------|---------|----------|
| Basic caregiver | AED 3,000–4,500 | AED 3,500–5,000 |
| Certified caregiver | AED 4,500–6,500 | AED 5,000–7,500 |
| Specialized (elderly/special needs) | AED 6,000–8,000 | AED 7,000–10,000 |
Step 5: Visa Sponsorship Process
The typical timeline from recruitment to placement:
**Week 1–2**: Candidate screening and selection
**Week 2–3**: TADBEER application and MOHRE work permit
**Week 3–4**: Visa processing and medical fitness
**Week 4–6**: Travel arrangement and deployment
Red Flags to Watch For
Agencies that bypass TADBEER requirements
Caregivers without verifiable certification documents
Unusually low salary offers (below MOHRE minimums)
No medical fitness certificate
No background check or reference verification
How GCC Salon Jobs Can Help
Our caregiver recruitment division works exclusively with TADBEER-compliant processes. Every caregiver in our pool is:
Certification-verified through CaregiverAcademia.com
Background-checked and reference-verified
Medical fitness tested
Trained in UAE cultural expectations
Contact us for a free consultation on your caregiver needs.