MENA • Country Guide

HIRE IN
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

The Middle East's gateway to global business.

EOR pricing
AED2,200
per employee / month (~US$599)
  • Full compliance handled
  • First hire live in 48 hours
  • No entity setup needed
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Population
9.5M
Currency
AED (AED)
Language
Arabic, English
Time zone
GMT+4
Region
MENA
Country snapshot

WHY UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

The UAE has transformed into a global magnet for talent and capital. Zero personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership in mainland, and 40+ free zones make Dubai and Abu Dhabi top destinations for international expansion.

0% personal income tax
9% corporate tax (only above AED 375K profit)
100% foreign ownership in mainland
Strategic location: 8-hour flight to 2/3 of world
World-class infrastructure
Ready to hire

Your first United Arab Emirates hire, live in days.

We handle entity, payroll, tax and compliance so you can focus on the work.

Market intel

THE MARKET
THE TALENT

Economy

USD $507B GDP, diversified beyond oil into finance, tourism, and tech. Pegged AED ensures FX stability.

Talent pool

88% expatriate workforce drawn from 200+ nationalities. Strong English fluency in business. Tax-free salaries attract global talent.

Key industries
Finance & BankingReal EstateTourism & HospitalityLogistics & AviationTechnology & AI
Hiring & compliance

CORE HIRING
FACTS

Everything global operators need to know about employment costs, leave entitlements, and statutory rules in United Arab Emirates.

Employer cost on top of salary
12.5%
Income tax
0%
Social contributions
GPSSA 12.5% employer (UAE nationals only)
Minimum wage
No statutory minimum
Working hours
48 hours/week (40 in Ramadan)
Annual leave
30 calendar days
Sick leave
90 days/year (15 full pay, 30 half pay, 45 unpaid)
Maternity leave
60 days (45 full, 15 half)
Paternity leave
5 working days
Public holidays
14 days/year
Notice period
30 days standard
Probation
Up to 6 months
Severance
21 days/year for first 5 years, 30 days/year after
Payroll cycle
Monthly via WPS
13th month pay
Not mandatory
Compliance, handled

Skip the legal setup in United Arab Emirates.

We become the legal employer. You manage the work, we handle payroll, contracts, taxes and benefits.

Visa & immigration

MOVING
TALENT IN

Work visa types, eligibility, dependent visas, and the path to permanent residency in United Arab Emirates.

Standard Work Visa

2–4 weeks

Employer-sponsored, valid 2 years

Golden Visa

4–8 weeks

10-year residency for investors, talent, professionals

Green Visa

4 weeks

5-year self-sponsored for skilled workers

Eligibility

Valid job offer, attested degree, medical fitness, and Emirates ID registration.

Dependants

Spouse and children under 18 (25 if studying) sponsorable by residents earning AED 4,000+/month.

Path to PR

Golden Visa offers 10-year renewable residency. Long-term Blue Residency for environmental contributors.

Hiring in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates hiring FAQs

AgileHRO's Employer of Record service in United Arab Emirates costs AED2,200 per employee per month (about US$599), covering contracts, payroll, tax filings and compliance with no local entity required. Budget separately for statutory employer costs of roughly 12.5% on top of gross salary.

Employers in United Arab Emirates typically pay around 12.5% on top of gross salary. Social contributions: GPSSA 12.5% employer (UAE nationals only). Employee income tax is 0%, withheld through a monthly via wps payroll cycle. 13th-month pay: not mandatory.

Notice period in United Arab Emirates: 30 days standard. Probation: up to 6 months. Severance: 21 days/year for first 5 years, 30 days/year after. As your Employer of Record, AgileHRO drafts compliant contracts and manages terminations under local law.

Typical processing times for the main United Arab Emirates work permits are: Standard Work Visa (2–4 weeks), Golden Visa (4–8 weeks), Green Visa (4 weeks). Eligibility: Valid job offer, attested degree, medical fitness, and Emirates ID registration. AgileHRO manages the application, documents and timeline as your Employer of Record.

Ready to hire in United Arab Emirates?

START IN 48 HOURS.

We'll handle the legal entity, payroll, tax, and compliance. You focus on the work.