You can file an absconding report for a domestic worker only after the worker has been missing for more than five days, you do not know where they are, and you cannot reach them. Outside Dubai you file through MOHRE. In Dubai you file with GDRFA Dubai. Filing earlier than five days is likely to be rejected.
The three conditions at a glance
| Condition | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Missing for more than five days | Count full days since the worker left or stopped reporting for work. A shorter absence is not enough. |
| Location unknown | You do not know where the worker is staying, and relatives or the recruitment agency cannot tell you. |
| No contact possible | Calls and messages go unanswered. Keep screenshots and call logs as proof. |
Where to file: Dubai or other emirates
| Your visa was issued in | Where you file | How |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah | MOHRE | MOHRE app with UAE Pass, or an approved MOHRE Business Centre |
| Dubai | GDRFA Dubai | Public Services section in Al Aweer, or an Amer centre |
How to file through the MOHRE app (outside Dubai)
- Download the MOHRE app and sign in with UAE Pass.
- Tap Services, then choose Domestic Worker Complaint.
- Enter your full name and mobile number, then type the one-time password sent by SMS.
- Select absconding as the complaint type.
- Enter the worker’s passport number, Emirates ID number, unified number, full name, date of birth and nationality.
- Upload your employment contract and proof of your attempts to contact the worker.
- Submit. MOHRE sends the report to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for verification, which usually takes two working days. You get the result by SMS and email.
How to file in Dubai
Dubai sponsors do not use the MOHRE complaint service. Go to the GDRFA Dubai Public Services section in Al Aweer, which is open daily from 6am to 10pm, or to the nearest Amer centre. Bring the worker’s passport number, Emirates ID number and unified number. The reported fee is Dh141 at Al Aweer and Dh100 when submitted through an Amer centre. Confirm the current fee with GDRFA before you go, since fees can change.
What to prepare before you file
- The signed employment contract.
- The worker’s passport, Emirates ID and unified number details.
- Screenshots of messages and a log of calls that went unanswered, with dates and times.
- The date the worker was last seen and any note of how they left.
- Your own Emirates ID and UAE Pass sign-in.
What changes for different employers
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You are outside Dubai and have the app | File in the MOHRE app. It is the quickest route. |
| You are outside Dubai and prefer in person | Visit an approved MOHRE Business Centre with the same documents. |
| You are a Dubai sponsor | File with GDRFA Dubai in person or through Amer. |
| The worker was recruited through an agency | Tell the agency first. A worker who returns to the agency can be a reason to cancel a report. |
| You need legal guidance first | Call the Legal Consultation Center on 80084. |
Worked example (Hypothetical)
Hypothetical: a family in Sharjah finds their helper’s room empty on a Monday. They call and message daily, ask the agency, and hear nothing. On the following Sunday, more than five days later, they open the MOHRE app, choose Domestic Worker Complaint, pick absconding, upload the contract and a folder of call screenshots, and submit. Two working days later they receive an SMS with the decision.
If the worker comes back
A report can be cancelled in some cases, for example if the worker was in fact present at work or on legal leave, if the report was inaccurate, or if the employment relationship is restored with the employer’s approval. Ask MOHRE or GDRFA Dubai how to cancel instead of leaving an open report in place. Filing a report that you know is false can lead to penalties, so only file when the three conditions are truly met.
Related guides on MyDubaiToday
For private-sector staff the waiting period and consequences differ, so read our guide to the UAE absconding report for employees. If a recruiter asked you for money, see whether an employer can make you repay visa fees and how MOHRE job offers are checked. Unlicensed hiring is also a concern, as shown in the crackdown on illegal maid recruitment accounts, and our note on MOHRE health insurance rules covers another permit requirement.
FAQ
How long must a domestic worker be missing before I report?
More than five days, with the location unknown and no way to reach the worker.
Can I file in the MOHRE app if I live in Dubai?
No. Dubai visa holders file with GDRFA Dubai.
How long does verification take?
For reports sent through MOHRE, about two working days, followed by an SMS and email.
Which documents do I upload?
The employment contract and proof of your attempts to contact the worker, plus the worker’s identity details.
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