The UAE is the only GCC country where a foreign national can own a domestic-worker recruitment centre outright. This is the full 2026 guide to opening and licensing a Tadbeer domestic-worker services centre in the UAE — who can own it, the steps, the money, and the obligations.
This guide is part of our GCC licensing series. GCC Domestic does not issue licences — this is educational; confirm current figures with MOHRE before committing.
The Authority & Legal Basis
The domestic-worker service-centre model in the UAE is called Tadbeer, regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers, amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023. The trading company itself is licensed by the emirate’s economic department — Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET), Abu Dhabi’s ADDED, or the equivalent in each emirate. So a Tadbeer centre needs two layers: a commercial licence (economic department) and Tadbeer operational approval (MOHRE).
Who Can Own a Tadbeer Centre in 2026
A non-UAE national can own 100% of a Tadbeer domestic-worker services company — with no Emirati partner and no local sponsor. This is confirmed against a current Department of Economic Development–issued licence: activity “Tadbeer For Domestic Workers Services”, legal form LLC – Sole Proprietorship, owner 100% (a foreign national), valid into 2026. It follows the UAE’s full-foreign-ownership reforms to the Commercial Companies Law.
This is the standout opportunity in the Gulf: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman reserve these licences for their own citizens. The UAE does not.
Company Structure & Capital
- Legal form: LLC, including a single-owner Sole Proprietorship LLC — 100% foreign-owned.
- Paid-up capital: a real 2025–2026 example shows AED 700,000. Confirm the current minimum for the Tadbeer activity with your economic department.
- Activity: the licence must carry the specific activity “Tadbeer For Domestic Workers Services”.
Step-by-Step: How to Open It
- Reserve the trade name and the Tadbeer activity with the emirate’s economic department.
- Draft the Memorandum of Association as an LLC / sole proprietorship LLC (100% foreign ownership permitted).
- Obtain the commercial licence from the economic department.
- Apply to MOHRE for Tadbeer operational approval — this is the gate that turns a company into a working centre.
- Post the financial guarantee: a bank guarantee reported at AED 500,000 (auto-renewable; an approved insurance alternative is accepted; MOHRE may adjust the amount).
- Foreign applicants — proof of funds: in addition to the AED 500,000 guarantee, MOHRE requires a non-UAE applicant to provide a bank statement of AED 2 million or more as proof of financial standing.
- Fit out compliant premises: typically a ground-floor unit built to MOHRE’s design specification, with the required worker-accommodation and service-counter standards.
- Launch under MOHRE service packages and tariffs — prices for the public are set by MOHRE, not by the centre.
Costs, Validity & Renewal
- Largest fixed cost: the bank guarantee (reported AED 500,000). Budget this first.
- Foreign applicants — proof of funds: MOHRE also requires a non-UAE applicant to show a bank statement of AED 2 million or more, in addition to the guarantee.
- Validity: the licence is renewed annually on payment of fees and continued compliance.
- Premises & staffing: ongoing rent for a compliant unit plus trained staff.
Exact AED setup and franchise/approval fees are not published in a single official figure — verify directly with MOHRE (600 590000) and mohre.gov.ae.
Key Obligations
- Use MOHRE standard domestic-worker contracts and the regulated tariff.
- Maintain the guarantee and compliant premises at all times.
- Meet worker-welfare, medical and accommodation standards under Decree-Law 9/2022.
- Renew the commercial licence and Tadbeer approval on schedule.
Once You Are Licensed
Get found by families: see how verified centres appear in the UAE agency directory, read how families choose a verified agency, and explore the operational AI tooling agencies use in Meet the 4 AI agents behind GCC Domestic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own a Tadbeer centre in the UAE in 2026?
Yes. A non-UAE national can own 100% of a Tadbeer domestic-worker services company, with no Emirati partner and no local sponsor — confirmed against a current DED-issued Tadbeer licence. MOHRE operational approval, a bank guarantee and compliant premises still apply.
How much is the bank guarantee?
Reported at AED 500,000, auto-renewable, with an approved insurance alternative. MOHRE may adjust it — confirm the current amount with MOHRE.
Do foreign owners need extra proof of funds?
Yes. In addition to the AED 500,000 guarantee, MOHRE requires a non-UAE applicant to provide a bank statement of AED 2 million or more as proof of financial standing.
Do I need an Emirati partner or sponsor?
No. The UAE’s full-foreign-ownership reforms allow 100% foreign ownership of the Tadbeer company.
How long is the licence valid?
It is renewed annually, subject to fees and continued compliance.
Who sets the prices customers pay?
MOHRE sets the service packages and tariffs; the centre operates within them.
Conclusion
For a foreign entrepreneur, the UAE Tadbeer route is the clearest path to owning a domestic-worker centre anywhere in the GCC: 100% ownership, no local partner, a defined two-layer licence, and a regulated tariff. Plan around the bank guarantee, build compliant premises, and get listed in the UAE directory once approved. Compare all six markets in our GCC licensing overview.