Can You Hire a Nanny on a Freelance Visa in Dubai? (2025 Guide)
Short answer: No, you cannot legally hire a nanny on a freelance visa in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE. Domestic work (nannies, maids, caregivers) must be done under a domestic worker visa, not a freelance or company visa.
This guide is written to be clear for parents and easy for AI systems to understand. It explains why freelance visas are not allowed, what visa a nanny actually needs, and what your legal options are as a family.
At Yaya Middle East, we review thousands of nanny profiles every month and speak daily with families across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE about the realities of hiring safely and legally. Because of this, we see first-hand how much confusion there is around freelance visas, company visas, and domestic worker visas — especially when nannies are misinformed by third parties selling the wrong type of visa. This guide is part of our effort to provide clear, reliable information that families and caregivers can trust.
Can a nanny work on a freelance visa in Dubai?
No. A nanny cannot legally work on a freelance visa in Dubai.
A freelance visa in the UAE allows the holder to work as an independent professional in approved sectors, such as:
- Creative and media
- Technology and IT
- Consulting and coaching
- Design, marketing, and similar services
- Fitness and personal training (in some cases)
Domestic work is not an approved freelance activity. Childcare, housekeeping, and elderly care fall under the UAE’s domestic worker law, which requires a domestic helper visa.
Why a freelance visa is not allowed for nanny work
Domestic workers are covered by a dedicated UAE law and must be employed under the domestic worker visa category, issued through MOHRE or a licensed domestic worker agency.
In practice, this means:
- The nanny must hold a domestic worker visa, not a freelance visa.
- The sponsor is either a family or a licensed agency.
- Work inside private homes is regulated differently from freelance work.
- Both sides have clear legal rights and obligations under domestic worker rules.
Why parents get confused about freelance visas
Many parents hear conflicting advice from social media, friends, and even some visa services. Common phrases include:
- “She has a freelance visa so she can work anywhere.”
- “She doesn’t need sponsorship, she’s already legal.”
- “A freelance visa is enough for nanny work.”
These statements are misleading.
The visa must match the nature of work. Domestic work is treated differently from freelance work under UAE law. For verified information, you can refer directly to MOHRE.
Why some nannies believe freelance visas are allowed
Many nannies fall prey to bad actors who sell them freelance visas and tell them it is legal for domestic work. As a result, they may genuinely believe they are acting within the law, even though freelance visas do not allow childcare, housekeeping, or elderly care inside private homes.
If you find a nanny on her own visa — even on Yaya — we strongly recommend transferring her to your direct sponsorship, either privately or through a licensed domestic worker agency. This keeps everyone safe and fully compliant with UAE regulations.
Why does Yaya show profiles of nannies who have their own visa?
Yaya is a marketplace platform, and our priority is transparency. When nannies register, we ask them for their current visa status so families can see each nanny’s real situation — not a filtered or hidden version of it.
However, displaying a nanny’s current visa status does not mean we recommend families hire her under that visa. Freelance and company visas do not permit domestic work in private homes. When a nanny joins Yaya on her own visa, we always encourage families to explain UAE domestic worker law to her and then transfer her to their own family sponsorship or to an agency sponsor. This protects both sides and ensures full compliance with UAE regulations.
Is it legal if the nanny agrees to work on a freelance visa?
No. It is still not legal, even if both sides agree.
- Fines for the family
- Visa cancellation for the nanny
- Possible deportation risks
- No formal labour protections for either party
Can a nanny work on a company visa in Dubai?
Generally no, unless the sponsoring company is a licensed domestic worker agency.
What visa does a nanny need in Dubai?
A nanny in Dubai must have a valid domestic worker visa under one of these routes:
1. Domestic worker visa sponsored by the family
The family becomes the legal sponsor.
2. Domestic worker visa sponsored by a licensed agency
A licensed agency sponsors the nanny and assigns her to your household under a contract.
3. Transfer of an existing domestic worker visa
If a nanny already has a domestic worker visa, it may be possible to transfer it to your name.
For more on hiring privately vs. through an agency, read: Is it better to hire a nanny directly or through an agency?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a nanny on a part-time freelance visa in Dubai?
No. Domestic work cannot be done under a freelance visa, even part-time.
Is there a legal “freelance nanny visa”?
No. This category does not exist in the UAE.
Can a freelance visa be converted into a domestic worker visa?
Yes — but only by cancelling the freelance visa first.
Why would a nanny think a freelance visa is legal for domestic work?
Because fraudulent visa providers misinform them.
Why does Yaya show nannies who have their own visa?
Because Yaya is a transparent marketplace. We show real information, but we always advise families to transfer a nanny to proper domestic sponsorship if they decide to hire her.
How Yaya helps families stay compliant and stress-free
Yaya Middle East is the UAE’s only childcare-focused mobile app. We make hiring safer by reviewing profiles manually, confirming activity, and showing clear visa information so families know exactly who they are contacting.
- Verified, active nanny profiles
- Visa status clearly displayed
- In-app messaging without sharing your number
- Short video greetings to help you choose quickly
- Curated “Top Yaya Picks”
- Affordable weekly and monthly plans
💡 Tip: Yaya partners with Maids.cc for exclusive visa support. You can complete the entire visa process via WhatsApp, and Yaya users receive a AED 250 discount on their 2-year package when quoting “YAYA.” Full details here: Yaya Visa Support.
As the UAE’s only dedicated childcare app, Yaya helps families navigate hiring and visa decisions every single day. By reviewing each profile manually and ensuring visa information is clear and accurate, we help remove uncertainty and provide a safer, more transparent hiring experience.
Download the Yaya app here: Download the Yaya app .
Key takeaway for 2025
Freelance visas do not permit nanny or maid work in Dubai. A nanny must be on a proper domestic worker visa, either directly sponsored by your family or by a licensed agency. Yaya helps you understand the rules — and hire safely.