MENA
UAE payroll for UK and Irish businesses.
Run UAE payroll — bureau or managed. Hire when you're ready: add EOR when you don't have an entity yet. Statutory rules, onboarding timing, and key compliance points all on this page.
Global Kinect runs UAE payroll with WPS file generated on every cycle in your bank's required format. GPSSA on the federal-versus-DIFC split per employee. EOSB tracked across the early-tier and full-tier thresholds. ILOE contributions handled. Emiratisation banding visibility per cycle. Bureau when you submit through WPS yourself; managed when we run the cycle.
For UK and Irish buyers
What this means for a UK or Irish business
For UK and Irish businesses with people in the UAE, the operating model sits behind a UK supplier relationship. Global Kinect Ltd (Companies House 16852789) contracts as the supplier of payroll services. The management fee is supplied from a UK supplier under standard B2B place-of-supply rules; UAE statutory pass-through is denominated in dirhams at the cycle rate.
- Production payroll data is hosted on Oracle Cloud's regional MENA estate, processed in scope of the UAE Personal Data Protection Law.
- GPSSA contributions for Emirati nationals (and DEWS in DIFC) sit where UK National Insurance Contributions sit — a statutory-funded social protection scheme with a federal-vs-DIFC split. Maps cleanly to UK GAAP cost categories.
- EOSB sits where UK statutory severance and service-related termination payments sit — accrued as a continuous liability on every cycle, settled at exit.
- Emiratisation quota visibility surfaces as a banding line per cycle — UK HR teams can fold it into their global headcount and nationality reporting without a separate process.
- Management fee can be invoiced in sterling on request. We agree the invoicing structure during onboarding.
Hiring in United Arab Emirates (UAE): Overview
The UAE is one of the most popular destinations for international hiring in the Middle East, offering zero personal income tax, fast visa processing, and a business-friendly environment. All foreign workers require visa sponsorship. Payroll must be processed through WPS. End-of-service gratuity accrues with tenure. An EOR sponsors visas, manages WPS payroll, and handles all compliance.
Payroll routes for United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Two delivery models for payroll. Add EOR when you don't have an entity.
Calculation-only payroll for United Arab Emirates (UAE). You sign off, you submit.
We run the cycle on the platform. You keep sign-off authority.
Don't have a United Arab Emirates (UAE) entity yet? We employ through ours.
Employment law & employer costs
Zero personal income tax — gross salary equals net take-home pay.
Visa sponsorship includes entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and labour card (2–3 weeks).
WPS (Wage Protection System) requires all salaries through approved banking channels.
End-of-service gratuity: 21 days/year (first 5 years), 30 days/year thereafter.
Mainland vs free zone employment affects visa costs and regulatory requirements.
Key compliance notes
Frequently asked questions
Employment Cost Calculator
Use the calculator for indicative employer costs in United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is useful for budgeting, not final pricing. For final EOR pricing, visa items, benefits, and service scope, request a full proposal.
Estimate Costs