Guide · Work in Dubai from Kenya
How to Get a Job in Dubai from Kenya
A step-by-step guide for Kenyans who want to work in Dubai and the rest of the UAE in a domestic job — as a housemaid, house help, nanny, Arabic cook, home driver, caregiver or home tutor — through an NEA-registered recruitment agency in Nairobi.
The steps
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Check that you qualify
You need to be a Kenyan citizen aged 22–45 with a valid passport (at least 2 years remaining), and be willing to work abroad on a 2-year contract. First timers can apply. See the full requirements to work in Dubai.
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Choose the job that fits your experience
Each application is for one position. Read about each role and its salary:
- Housemaids — Cleaning, laundry, ironing and general household duties in family homes.
- House Help — Everyday support around the home — tidying, kitchen help and keeping the household running.
- Nannies — Childcare, supervision and help with children’s daily routines.
- Arabic Cooks — Arabic dishes and everyday family meals, with the kitchen kept clean and organised.
- Home Drivers — Family transport — school runs, errands and day-to-day trips.
- Caregivers — Day-to-day support and companionship for elderly or dependent family members.
- Home Tutors — Help with children’s homework, reading and schoolwork at home.
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Prepare your documents
- Valid passport with at least 2 years remaining
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Medical Examination Certificate
- Professional certificate, where applicable
- Studio video introduction (requested after your application is reviewed)
- Attested Police Clearance Certificate — required for the UAE
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Apply online
Complete the online application. It takes about 10 minutes. You will upload your passport, a passport-size photo and a full-length photo. If you are applying for a specific vacancy, open it on the Jobs page first.
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Screening
Our team reviews your application within 2–3 business days. Skills and training are verified in our office, we assess personality and cultural fit, and we check references from previous employers. A studio video introduction is requested after your application is reviewed.
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Matching and selection
Suitable candidates are matched with employers’ requirements, such as experience and age range.
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Visa and travel
The employer provides the visa. We handle the paperwork and travel for selected candidates; this typically takes 4–8 weeks. Read more about the Dubai work visa from Kenya.
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Prepare, travel and start work
First-time workers receive pre-departure orientation and cultural preparation. Airport pickup is coordinated when you arrive, and we keep in touch with you and your employer after you start.
What the employer provides
- Accommodation All jobs are full live-in: you live in the employer’s home.
- Food Meals are provided by the employer.
- Medical insurance The employer provides medical insurance.
- Work visa The employer provides the visa.
- Return ticket A return ticket home when you complete your full contract.
Stay safe: only work with recruitment agencies registered with Kenya’s National Employment Authority (NEA). Smartmaids Group is NEA-registered, with an office at The Mirage Towers, Tower 2, Westlands, Nairobi.
FAQ
Working in Dubai from Kenya: common questions
How long does it take to get a job in Dubai from Kenya?
Initial screening of your application takes 2–3 business days. If you are selected, visa processing and placement typically take 4–8 weeks, depending on the UAE’s requirements at the time and how ready your documents are.
Can I work in Dubai if I have never worked abroad before?
Yes. Choose “First Timer” on the application form. First-time housemaids, house help and nannies typically earn 1,000 AED a month, and first-time overseas workers receive pre-departure orientation before they travel.
Who provides the visa for a domestic job in Dubai?
The employer provides the visa. For selected candidates, Smartmaids Group handles the work permit application, residence visa processing, document attestation, medical check-up coordination and the employment contract.
Where will I live when I work in Dubai?
All the jobs we recruit for are full live-in. You live in the employer’s home, and the employer provides accommodation, food and medical insurance.
How do I know a Dubai agent in Kenya is genuine?
Work only with recruitment agencies registered with Kenya’s National Employment Authority (NEA). Smartmaids Group is NEA-registered, with an office at The Mirage Towers, Tower 2, Westlands, Nairobi.