Top 10 Maid Hiring Mistakes in UAE (and How to Avoid Them)

Hiring a maid in the UAE can make daily life smoother — but one wrong decision can cause serious problems later.
From choosing the wrong agency to ignoring legal steps, many families unknowingly repeat the same maid hiring mistakes again and again.

In this 2025 guide by INAYA Domestic Workers Ajman, we’ll highlight the top 10 maid hiring mistakes UAE employers make — and how you can easily avoid them to ensure a safe, legal, and stress-free experience.

1️⃣ Hiring Without Checking MOHRE Approval

One of the biggest maid hiring mistakes in the UAE is choosing unlicensed brokers.
MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) regulates all maid hiring in the UAE — and only approved agencies can process legal visas.

🟥 Risk: Hiring through unlicensed sources can lead to fines of up to AED 50,000 and potential deportation for the worker.

✅ How to Avoid: Always verify the agency’s MOHRE registration number.
INAYA Domestic Workers Ajman is a fully licensed and MOHRE-approved agency offering 100% legal placements.

2️⃣ Not Reviewing the Maid’s Background

Skipping background verification is another common maid hiring mistake.
Some families hire quickly without checking previous employment records, police clearance, or health reports.

✅ How to Avoid: Ask your agency to share the maid’s verified background file, including medical, experience, and nationality details before confirming.

3️⃣ Ignoring Medical Fitness Tests

A domestic worker must pass an official UAE medical screening before starting work.
Failing to check this can cause issues with visa processing and health insurance later.

✅ How to Avoid: Always request the SEHA-approved medical certificate from your agency before the maid arrives.

4️⃣ Choosing the Wrong Type of Maid

Families often hire without identifying what type of help they actually need — nanny, cleaner, cook, or caregiver.
This is one of the most overlooked maid hiring mistakes because mismatched skills lead to dissatisfaction on both sides.

✅ How to Avoid: List your household’s top 3 priorities before selecting a maid.
INAYA’s team helps match you with trained maids for cleaning, childcare, or elderly support.

5️⃣ Not Having a Written Contract

Verbal agreements are risky. Without a contract, both sides lack clarity on salary, duties, and rest days.

✅ How to Avoid: Always sign the MOHRE-standard bilingual contract before starting work.
It defines working hours, salary, and expectations — protecting both employer and worker.

6️⃣ Paying Salary in Cash

Cash payments are hard to track — and under mohre domestic worker rules 2025, they are not accepted.
WPS (Wage Protection System) is now mandatory.

✅ How to Avoid: Pay through the approved WPS account or bank transfer.
It’s safer, traceable, and protects you in case of disputes.

7️⃣ Ignoring Training and Orientation

Many employers forget to train their new maid about the household routine, appliances, or safety.
Lack of orientation leads to confusion and mistakes.

✅ How to Avoid: Spend 2–3 days introducing your maid to your family, schedule, and home layout.
INAYA provides pre-trained maids to make this process easier.

8️⃣ Not Providing Rest and Privacy

Exhausting schedules and lack of private space cause burnout — one of the most ignored maid hiring mistakes.

✅ How to Avoid: Follow MOHRE’s guidelines:

• Provide at least 1 day off weekly.
• Ensure separate sleeping quarters (for live-in maids).
• Respect privacy and boundaries.

9️⃣ Overlooking Legal Insurance

Employers sometimes skip maid insurance to save cost — but it’s illegal in 2025.
Insurance covers health, accidents, and repatriation.

✅ How to Avoid: Choose an agency that includes domestic worker insurance in the package.
All INAYA maids are covered under UAE-compliant insurance plans.

🔟 Failing to Set Expectations Early

Miscommunication about duties or working hours leads to frustration.
This last but crucial maid hiring mistake can break trust within days.

✅ How to Avoid: Discuss duties, meals, rest times, and phone usage clearly from day one.
Put everything in writing inside the contract for full clarity.

📊 Summary Table – Top Maid Hiring Mistakes in UAE

🟩 Insight: Following legal process reduces hiring risks by over 90%, according to MOHRE’s 2025 compliance report.

📈 UAE’s Progress in Legal Maid Hiring (2020–2025)

📊 Observation: With stricter MOHRE enforcement, unlicensed brokers are almost eliminated, ensuring safer domestic worker employment.

💬 Real Family Experience

“We made the mistake of hiring through an unverified source once. INAYA fixed everything — they managed the visa, insurance, and paperwork professionally. We’ll never go anywhere else.”
— Mr. Faisal A., Dubai

🧩 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I hire a maid privately in UAE?
Only if you legally sponsor her through MOHRE — otherwise it’s illegal.

Q2. What happens if my maid leaves without notice?
You can file a complaint through MOHRE if you hired via a licensed agency.

Q3. How much is the average salary for maids in UAE?
Between AED 1,200 – 2,500 depending on nationality and experience.

Q4. How long does legal hiring take?
Usually 7–10 working days with complete documentation.

Q5. Does INAYA provide replacement guarantee?
Yes — up to 6 months, depending on contract type.

🏁 Final Thoughts – Avoid Mistakes, Hire Smart

Avoiding maid hiring mistakes is easy when you know the rules.
Work only with MOHRE-approved agencies, follow legal procedures, and communicate openly with your maid.

At INAYA Domestic Workers Ajman, every hire is verified, insured, and fully compliant — ensuring peace of mind for UAE families.

Explore INAYA Domestic Workers Ajman to hire trained, professional, and legal domestic staff today.