Table of Contents
Introduction
Key Considerations for Employing in the UAE
Benefits
Employment Contracts
Onboarding
Leaves
Payroll & Taxes
Termination Process
Invoice Schedule
Get Started with Omnipresent
1. Introduction
Hiring employees in the UAE involves strict immigration procedures, mandatory healthcare, and compliance with evolving labor regulations. Omnipresent’s Employer of Record (EOR) service supports smooth onboarding, compliant contracts, and full employment lifecycle management.
2. Key Considerations for Employing in the UAE
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Language: Arabic
Employer Costs: Average (varies for nationals and expats)
Termination Complexity: Hard
Onboarding Timeline: ~15 calendar days
Payroll Frequency: Monthly
3. Benefits
What We Offer
Mandatory:
Basic healthcare (inpatient/outpatient, emergency, maternity)
Workers’ compensation
Supplementary:
Dental & vision
Enhanced health insurance
Health Insurance
Basic insurance is required for visa sponsorship and funded by the employer.
Omnipresent offers enhanced medical plans with options to include dependents.
Retirement
UAE Nationals: Covered by GPSSA (General Pension and Social Security Authority)
Expats: Entitled to an End of Service Gratuity based on service length
4. Employment Contracts
Requirements
Written contracts are mandatory.
Languages: Arabic & English (bilingual; Arabic prevails)
Signature: Electronic accepted; wet ink preferred
Backdating: Not permitted
Contract Types
Fixed-term contracts only
Part-time contracts allowed under certain conditions
Probation Period
Maximum 6 months
One probation period allowed per employee
Notice during probation:
14 days by employer or employee
30 days if employee moves to another employer
Customisation
Allowed: Unlimited PTO, extra-legal sick leave
Not allowed: Overtime, restrictive covenants, stylistic edits
5. Onboarding
Timeline
Typical onboarding takes ~15 days (excluding visa processing). Key steps:
Platform Setup
Right-to-Work Check
Contract & Benefits Enrollment
Visa Sponsorship & Process
All expat employees are sponsored via Dubai Immigration visas. Omnipresent handles:
Offer Letter and Document Collection
E-Visa / Entry Permit
Status Change (for in-country transfers)
Medical Tests and Biometrics
Emirates ID issuance
Residence Visa Stamping
Medical Insurance Application
Timelines vary:
VIP Processing: 16–24 days
Standard Processing: 25–36 days
Employee Transfers
Seniority may be recognized if previously employed by client or via another EOR
6. Leaves
Annual Leave
30 calendar days (equivalent to 22 working days)
Maternity Leave
60 days total: 45 full pay + 15 half pay
Paternity Leave
5 working days, used within 6 months of childbirth
Sick Leave
Up to 90 days/year post-probation:
First 15 days: Full pay
Next 30 days: Half pay
Final 45 days: Unpaid
Public Holidays
Typically 8 observed holidays, varying annually:
New Year’s Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, National Day, etc.
7. Payroll & Taxes
Payroll Cycle
Monthly, running from 1st to last day of the month
Cut-off: 6th of each month
Payment: Last working day
Extra Payments
No mandatory bonuses
Salaries often include allowance components (e.g., housing)
Minimum Wage
No official minimum wage (subject to change under MOHRE)
Standard Work Schedule
8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week) or 40 hours/week (5-day week)
Employer Costs
UAE nationals: ~12.5%
GCC nationals: Varies by origin country
Use the OmniCalculator for tailored cost breakdowns
8. Termination Process
Procedure
Contact Omnipresent before initiating termination discussions
Submit a termination request via the OmniPlatform for review
Notice Period
Standard: 30–90 days
During probation:
14 days (employer)
14–30 days (employee, depending on future employment plans)
Severance Pay
End-of-Service Gratuity applies after 1 year of service:
Calculated based on basic salary and years served
Different rules apply to limited vs. unlimited contracts
9. Invoice Schedule
Initial Fees
Setup Fees: Triggered upon contract signing
Deposit: Due when contract is ready for signature
Initial Salary Prepayment: Invoiced on employment start date
Ongoing Payments
Monthly in arrears, covering:
Payroll
Taxes and insurance
Omnipresent fees and applicable FX fees
10. Get Started with Omnipresent
We simplify global hiring, onboarding, and compliance. Let us handle the complexities of employment in the UAE so you can focus on growing your business.