🇦🇪 Hiring in
United Arab Emirates
What every employer needs to know before hiring in United Arab Emirates — contracts, payroll setup, social security, and HR compliance obligations.
Key Employment Facts — United Arab Emirates
Minimum Wage
—
Annual Leave
30 days
Notice Period (min)
30 days
Probation Period (max)
6 days
Maternity Leave
60 weeks
13th Month Pay
Not required
How to Hire in United Arab Emirates — Step by Step
Verify your hiring structure
Decide whether to hire via a local legal entity, a Professional Employer Organisation (PEO), or an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR lets you hire in United Arab Emirates without setting up a local company.
Issue a compliant employment contract
All employees in United Arab Emirates must receive a written employment contract. It must cover job title, salary, working hours, notice period, and leave entitlements before or on the first day of employment.
Register for payroll and tax
You must register with the relevant United Arab Emirates tax authority before making any salary payments. Payroll must be run in local currency and employer contributions must be filed on time.
Enrol in social security
Employers in United Arab Emirates are required to enrol employees in the national social security scheme from day one. Both employer and employee contributions are mandatory.
Run compliant payroll
Pay must meet the statutory minimum wage, be paid on the agreed frequency, and include all mandatory deductions. Keep payslip records for the legally required retention period.
Understand termination rules
Notice periods, severance, and redundancy rules in United Arab Emirates are governed by employment law. Always seek local legal advice before terminating an employment contract.
Contractor Classification Rules — United Arab Emirates
How United Arab Emirates distinguishes employees from independent contractors, and the risks of misclassification.
Classification Test
Employment contract presumption — Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 (UAE Labour Law)
Key Classification Factors
- ✓Working hours set by the employer
- ✓Integration into business operations
- ✓No right to work for third parties simultaneously (for full-time)
- ✓Remuneration set by employer
- ✓Exclusive or primary engagement
Misclassification Penalties
MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources) can order reclassification and back-payment of end-of-service gratuity and other entitlements. Employment visa and labour ban implications. Fines up to AED 50,000.
Off-Payroll / IR35 Equivalent
No IR35 equivalent in the UAE. MOHRE freelance permit system provides a legal alternative.
Platform Worker Law
No specific platform worker law in the UAE, but gig economy workers (Careem, Talabat drivers) typically operate under freelance permits or as employees.
Safe Harbour Criteria
MOHRE-issued Freelance Permit or Free Zone freelance licence, UAE residency visa, own business activity, invoicing for services, multiple clients.
The UAE operates a unique framework for contractors via the MOHRE Freelance Permit system and Free Zone freelance licences (Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, twofour54, IFZA, etc.). These permits allow individuals to legally work as freelancers in the UAE. Without a freelance permit, all workers must be sponsored under an employment visa. Free Zone companies can engage contractors under their own free zone regulations. No personal income tax means contractor vs employee classification has no direct tax consequence for the individual.
Work Permits — United Arab Emirates
Main visa and work permit routes for hiring foreign nationals in United Arab Emirates.
Employment Visa (Work Permit + Residence Visa)
Processing
7–21 days
Validity
24 months
Cost
Varies
Sponsor Needed
Yes
All foreign workers in the UAE require an employment visa comprising a MOHRE work permit and a residence visa (sponsored by the employer). Process: employer obtains work permit from MOHRE, employee enters on employment entry visa, medical test, Emirates ID, residence visa stamped. Processing: 7-21 days. Valid 2-3 years.
Official source ↗Golden Visa (10-Year Residence)
Processing
14–30 days
Validity
120 months
Cost
Varies
Sponsor Needed
No
Long-term residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talents, researchers, and outstanding students. 10-year validity, self-sponsored (no employer sponsor required). Categories: investors (AED 2M+ investment), talented professionals (doctors, engineers, scientists, artists), PhD holders. Family included.
Official source ↗Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsorship)
Processing
14–30 days
Validity
60 months
Cost
Varies
Sponsor Needed
No
Self-sponsorship visa for skilled workers, freelancers, and investors without employer sponsor. Minimum salary AED 15,000/month for skilled worker category. Freelance permit required for freelance category. University degree and professional licence required. Family sponsorship included.
Official source ↗EOR Intelligence
Skip the entity setup — hire via EOR in United Arab Emirates.
An Employer of Record handles all local compliance on your behalf.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or HR advice. Employment law in United Arab Emirates is subject to change. Always consult a qualified local employment lawyer before hiring.
About This Guide
- ✓ Sourced from official government publications
- ✓ Updated monthly — always current rules
- ✓ For guidance only — not legal advice
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