Updated August 2026 — The UAE cleaning and facilities management sector is one of the most accessible yet heavily regulated business opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Gulf. From corporate office cleaning to luxury residential housekeeping to specialized healthcare-grade HACCP cleaning, the UAE market supports a wide spectrum of service tiers. This guide covers the MOHRE domestic worker agency licence, DED commercial cleaning company licence, staff visa requirements, salary benchmarks, and the full cost breakdown for establishing a compliant cleaning business in the UAE.
- MOHRE domestic worker agency licence costs AED 20,000-50,000 plus AED 100,000 bank guarantee.
- DED commercial cleaning company licence costs AED 10,000-18,000 per year.
- Domestic maid visa total cost (sponsorship transfer): AED 5,000-8,000.
- Standard maid salary per MOHRE contract: AED 1,500-2,500 per month.
- Office cleaning contracts: AED 3,000-15,000 per month; healthcare cleaning: AED 8,000-30,000 per month.
- UAE Federal Law 10/2017 sets maximum 9-hour working day and 1 day off per week for domestic workers.
Two Types of Cleaning Business Licences in the UAE
The UAE distinguishes clearly between two categories of cleaning business, each governed by a different licensing authority. Domestic Worker (Maid) Agency businesses that recruit, place, and manage domestic workers including housemaids, cooks, babysitters, and personal caregivers in private homes are regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This is the stricter category, requiring a specialized agency licence, a substantial bank guarantee, and ongoing compliance with Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers. Commercial Cleaning Company businesses that provide cleaning services to commercial properties such as offices, retail outlets, hotels, healthcare facilities, and industrial sites hold a standard DED commercial cleaning trade licence. This is less regulated than the maid agency but still requires proper staff visa management, occupational health compliance, and specialized certification for healthcare and food-service environments.
MOHRE Domestic Worker Agency Licence: Full Requirements
Establishing a domestic worker agency in the UAE requires approval from MOHRE in addition to the DED trade licence. The MOHRE licence carries significant financial and compliance obligations designed to protect domestic workers from exploitation. Key requirements include a DED commercial licence with recruitment agency activity (AED 15,000-25,000 per year), MOHRE domestic worker agency licence (AED 20,000-50,000), bank guarantee of AED 100,000 deposited with MOHRE returnable upon licence cancellation, a dedicated office with client reception area (minimum 400 sqft), dedicated welfare facilities for workers awaiting placement, appointment of a UAE-licensed recruitment agent as manager of record, and a separate escrow account for worker placement fees. MOHRE conducts periodic inspections of licensed agencies. Non-compliant agencies face fines, suspension, or permanent licence cancellation.
Commercial Cleaning Company Licence: Step by Step
Setting up a commercial cleaning company in Dubai follows the standard DED mainland licensing process with a few industry-specific additions: reserve trade name via DET portal (AED 620-920); apply for DED commercial cleaning licence (AED 10,000-18,000 per year); lease office space and register Ejari (minimum 200 sqft); obtain civil defence approval for chemical storage if using industrial cleaning agents; arrange occupational health and safety (OHS) insurance for all cleaning staff; register with MOHRE for labour quota (number of work visas allocated to the company); obtain HACCP certification for healthcare and food industry cleaning clients; register as supplier with target client procurement portals.
Staff Costs: Salaries, Visas, and Accommodation
Labour costs are the dominant cost component for any cleaning business. Understanding the true all-in cost per cleaning staff member is critical for pricing contracts profitably.
| Cost Component | Domestic Maid | Commercial Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary | AED 1,500-2,500 | AED 1,200-2,000 |
| Visa and medical cost (one-time) | AED 5,000-8,000 | AED 3,500-6,000 |
| Accommodation per month | Employer-provided live-in | AED 600-1,000 shared |
| Health insurance (annual) | AED 650-1,200 | AED 650-1,200 |
| Annual leave airfare | AED 800-2,000 | AED 800-2,000 |
| MOHRE work permit (annual) | AED 1,500-2,500 | AED 700-1,200 |
Federal Law 10/2017: Domestic Worker Rights and Employer Obligations
Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers established comprehensive protections for domestic workers in the UAE. Key provisions include: maximum 9 hours working per day with at least 1 hour rest; at least 1 full day off per week; minimum 30 days paid annual leave per year after completing one year of service; up to 30 days paid sick leave per year after 3 months of service; end of service gratuity of 14 days salary per year for the first 5 years and 30 days per year thereafter; employer must provide suitable accommodation, adequate meals, and clothing as needed; employers are prohibited from retaining worker passports; workers can file complaints through MOHRE or Tadbeer domestic worker support centres.
Commercial Cleaning Rates in UAE 2026
| Cleaning Type | Monthly Contract Value | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Small office (up to 300 sqm) | AED 3,000-6,000 | DED licence plus visa quota |
| Corporate office (1,000+ sqm) | AED 10,000-25,000 | FM company plus insurance |
| Residential tower common areas | AED 8,000-20,000 | RERA building approval |
| Hotel housekeeping outsource | AED 15,000-50,000 | Hotel brand standards |
| Healthcare facility (HACCP) | AED 8,000-30,000 | HACCP cert plus DHA approval |
| Industrial and warehouse | AED 5,000-15,000 | Safety training plus PPE |
Key Market Players in UAE Cleaning and FM
The UAE commercial cleaning and facilities management sector is dominated by large integrated FM companies. Emrill Services, a joint venture between ALEC and Farnek, is one of the UAE largest integrated facilities management companies managing millions of square metres of commercial and hospitality space. Interserve (now Ameresco in some contracts) holds major government and healthcare FM contracts. EFS Facilities Services is a specialist FM company operating across the UAE and broader MENA region with strong healthcare and education sector presence. For new cleaning companies, the most accessible entry points are SME office buildings, residential towers, and retail facilities not yet served by large FM companies. Sub-contracting to established FM companies is also a common growth path for new cleaning businesses building their operational track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a domestic worker agency licence and a commercial cleaning licence?
A domestic worker agency licence (from MOHRE) allows you to recruit, place, and manage domestic workers including housemaids, babysitters, cooks, and personal assistants in private households. A commercial cleaning company licence (from DED) allows you to provide cleaning services to commercial properties such as offices, retail outlets, hotels, and factories using your own employed staff. You cannot legally supply domestic workers to private homes under a commercial cleaning licence, and you cannot provide commercial cleaning services under a domestic worker agency licence. Many companies hold both licences to serve both markets.
Can a UAE cleaning company sponsor workers from any country?
UAE cleaning and domestic worker companies can sponsor workers from MOHRE-approved source countries. For domestic workers specifically, MOHRE maintains an approved list of source countries from which domestic workers can be recruited. This list is periodically updated. Standard work visa processing for cleaning staff from approved source countries takes 4-8 weeks and costs AED 3,500-8,000 per worker including medical tests, Emirates ID, and visa stamping. Workers from countries temporarily suspended by MOHRE require special approval or cannot be recruited through the standard channel.
Is accommodation mandatory for all cleaning staff sponsored on a UAE company visa?
For domestic workers placed in private homes, the employer household provides live-in accommodation as part of the standard domestic worker contract. For commercial cleaning staff employed by a cleaning company, the employer (cleaning company) is legally required to provide suitable accommodation or a housing allowance as part of UAE labour law minimum standards. Most commercial cleaning companies in the UAE arrange shared staff accommodation in areas such as Sonapur, Al Quoz, and IMPZ, costing approximately AED 600-1,000 per worker per month for shared rooms.
What HACCP certification is needed for healthcare cleaning in the UAE?
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certification for healthcare cleaning involves training your cleaning supervisors and staff in healthcare-specific cleaning protocols, chemical handling, infection control, and documentation procedures. The certification is issued by accredited training and certification bodies recognized by DHA and DOH. Initial HACCP training and certification for a cleaning team costs approximately AED 5,000-15,000 depending on team size. Ongoing compliance requires refresher training and documentation of cleaning records that can be inspected by DHA during routine healthcare facility audits.
Can I operate a cleaning company from a free zone in the UAE?
A free zone company can provide cleaning services only within the free zone area where it is licensed. For example, a JAFZA-licensed cleaning company can service JAFZA-based clients. To service mainland clients, including offices, villas, and retail outlets in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other emirates, you need a mainland DED licence. Most commercially successful cleaning companies therefore hold mainland DED licences to access the broader UAE market. Free zone establishment may make sense as a secondary entity for tax efficiency if your primary client base is within a specific free zone.