Sponsoring a domestic worker in the UAE under the framework established by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 generally involves more than just the standard visa processing fees; many sponsoring households also need to account for a refundable deposit or bank guarantee, a requirement that catches first-time sponsors off guard when budgeting for the overall cost.
This deposit or guarantee generally functions as a form of financial security tied to the sponsorship, intended to cover potential costs like repatriation, unpaid wages, or other obligations the sponsoring household might owe if the employment relationship ends in a way that leaves the worker's entitlements unresolved. Because it's structured as refundable rather than an outright fee, the amount is generally returned to the sponsor once the sponsorship period concludes cleanly, the worker's dues are settled, and the visa is properly cancelled or transferred, rather than being a sunk cost the household simply loses regardless of how the arrangement ends.
In practice, this means the deposit represents a meaningful upfront cash commitment on top of recruitment fees, visa processing, insurance, and the standard cost breakdown households typically anticipate, and sponsors who haven't budgeted for it specifically can find the actual total cost of properly sponsoring a domestic worker noticeably higher than expected based on recruitment agency quotes alone, which don't always foreground this deposit requirement clearly. The specific amount and exact mechanics, whether it's held as a bank guarantee rather than a literal cash deposit, for example, are the kind of detail worth confirming directly rather than assuming a fixed figure applies universally.
Given how this deposit or guarantee requirement can meaningfully affect the true total cost of domestic worker sponsorship, and how its specific structure and amount have been subject to adjustment since the 2022 framework's introduction, households planning to sponsor a domestic worker generally benefit from getting a full itemized cost breakdown, including this deposit specifically, directly from MOHRE or an approved Tadbeer center before finalizing recruitment plans.
Visa & Immigration
UAE Domestic Worker Sponsorship: The Refundable Deposit and Bank Guarantee Explained
Published 31 Jul 2026 · Updated 14 Aug 2026 · 2 min read · By UAE Info Portal Editorial Team, Research & Editorial
Reviewed by UAE Info Portal Editorial Team, Research & Editorial
Key Takeaways
- Beyond standard visa processing fees, many sponsoring households need to account for a refundable deposit or bank guarantee — often catches first-time sponsors off guard.
- Functions as financial security tied to the sponsorship — covering potential repatriation costs, unpaid wages, or other obligations if the employment relationship ends unresolved.
- Structured as REFUNDABLE, not a sunk fee — returned once the sponsorship concludes cleanly, dues are settled, and the visa is properly cancelled/transferred.
- Represents a meaningful upfront cash commitment on top of recruitment fees, visa processing, and insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the domestic worker sponsorship deposit refundable?
Generally yes — it's structured as refundable rather than an outright fee, returned once the sponsorship concludes cleanly and the worker's dues are settled.
Is this deposit paid in cash or as a bank guarantee?
It can generally be structured either way depending on the specific process, so confirming the exact mechanism with MOHRE or a Tadbeer center is worth doing rather than assuming one format.
Do recruitment agency quotes usually include this deposit?
Not always clearly — this is a common gap in agency quotes, which is why sponsors are often surprised by the true total cost once the deposit is added.
What is the deposit meant to cover?
Generally potential obligations like repatriation costs or unpaid wages if the employment relationship ends without the worker's entitlements being resolved.
Where can I get the current deposit amount?
Directly through MOHRE or an approved Tadbeer center, since the specific figure and structure have been adjusted since the 2022 framework was introduced.