Kritika 
(C): Unsplash
Domestic workers in the UAE, who have lost their employment within the initial few months, are better protected than they may imagine. UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has shed light on the precise timing of the fee refunds for recruitment agencies, including situations where the candidate has failed probation, left early, or the contract terms have not been met. UAE domestic workers‘ rights are not as ambiguous as they may seem, and whether you are an employer or one of the many UAE domestic workers facing a probation period dispute, here is a clear explanation of what the rules are!
Quick Facts on UAE Domestic Workers
| Category | Details |
| Regulator | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) |
| Refund window | Workers have to return or be reported as having absconded within 2 weeks |
| Companies that are licensed in the UAE. | 136 authorised centres |
| Agency violations recorded (2025) | 300 violations across 57 agencies |
| Governing law | Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022. |
| Penalties for non-compliance | Administrative, financial and legal measures; cancellation of licence for reoffenders |
When Must Agencies Issue a Refund?
During the probation period, the regulations affect how employment of domestic workers in the UAE is managed, and MoHRE has identified four specific instances in which licensed recruitment agencies must refund their employers:
- Inappropriate professional competency or behaviour (failed probation)
- Early resignation or departure — worker does not sign an agreement to stay for a year or quits the job before probation ends
- Failure to fulfil the contract terms — the employer terminates the contract due to failure to fulfil the agreed terms in the recruitment agreement
- Medical unfitness — worker is determined medically as incapable of doing the necessary tasks.
Employers may also be eligible to get reimbursed for government fees incurred during the process in the fourth scenario.
What This Means If You’re a Domestic Worker
This is of significance for migrant domestic workers in the UAE as it influences how disputes are settled — and who will be held responsible if something goes wrong at the start of the job. If fired during the probation period because of the agency’s recruitment process (not yours), then the agency is financially liable, not only the employer.
Note: If the employer recruited a domestic worker directly by name without using the agency’s recruitment services, then the obligation to make refunds does not apply.
Licensed vs. Unlicensed Agencies: Why It Matters
| Licensed Agencies | Unlicensed/Unverified Sources |
| Refund protection | Legally mandated |
| Government oversight | MoHRE-regulated |
| Access to a court of law when problems arise | Formal complaint channels |
| Contract enforcement | Standardised, enforceable |
| Penalties for violations | Fines, licence cancellation |
MoHRE has made it clear that side-stepping the agencies means avoiding an approved agency or licensed provider is risky for employers and household workers in the UAE, as many of these “providers” are promoted through social media.
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Staying Protected: Practical Tips
If you want to avoid conflict with your employer, there are some simple habits to keep to as a UAE domestic worker:
- Never sign a recruitment contract without checking that an agency has a license.
- Make copies of your contract and any preliminary agreements.
- Before you start work, know the length of your probation period and its terms.
- Report complaints through the official MoHRE system, not through unofficial channels.
- Avoid recruitment opportunities that have not been verified.
FAQs
What are the implications if a domestic worker does not make it through probation in the UAE?
If the worker fails to meet professional or behaviour standards during the probation period, the recruitment agency must refund the recruitment fee to the employer – either in full or in part.
If a domestic worker is medically unfit, can an employer get his fees back?
Yes. If a worker is determined by medical examination during the probationary period to be unable to do the job for which he or she was recruited, recovery of the recruitment fees and government fees are available to the employer.
What is the maximum amount of time an agency is allowed to wait before giving a refund?
Refunds for licensed agencies must be processed within two weeks of the worker’s return to the agency or reporting as Absconding.
Does this rule apply to someone whom I have employed as a domestic worker?
No. When the employer recruits a domestic worker by name without recruiting through the agency, the responsibility for the refund doesn’t apply.
What is the best way to determine if a domestic worker agency is licensed?
Check with the official channels of MoHRE. The UAE currently has 136 authorised recruitment centres.
