Expand your Global Workforce to 
UAE
- Employee onboarding in compliance with UAE labor laws
- Access to top talent through our global hiring network
- Assistance with expatriate work visas and permits
- Accurate salary processing and compliance with UAE tax regulations
- Guidance on labor contracts in the UAE
- Complete EOR services in the UAE
POPULATION
10,880,000
LANGUAGES
Arabic
COUNTRY CAPITAL
Abu Dhabi
CURRENCY
AED
UAE at a Glance
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven Emirates in the Middle East. It is located on the Arab Peninsula and has its capital city in Abu Dhabi. UAE uses AED/DHS (Dirham) as the national currency and Arabic as the official language. The federation is known for its blend of modernity, tradition, and economic prosperity. It is a major hub for international travel and has a zero-income tax policy, making it attractive to international businesses. UAE has a population of 10.88 million people, a GDP of $537.1 billion, and growth rate of 3.8% as of 2024. Oil and gas are the primary economic sectors and remain to a significant contributor to the national revenue.
10-15
Holidays Per Year
48 hrs per week
Working hours
Compensation & Benefits in UAE
AED 5,000
Average wage per month
3-4 weeks
Annual vacation leave (min)
Talent Grid Africa is an Employer of Record dedicated to helping companies expand their operations into the UAE without the need to establish a local entity. We handle payroll, taxes, employee benefits, and compliance with UAE labor laws. Our team will enable you to hire international talent quickly without worrying about compliance.
Taxes in the UAE
In the UAE corporate tax is only levied on foreign banks and oil companies. Free Zones are exempted from paying tax. No withholding tax is applicable for non-residents and no payroll tax is applicable. The social security rate for employers is 17.5%, while that of employees is 5%.
The UAE updated its labor law with the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 that came into effect in 2024. The labor law applies to every employment relationship throughout the UAE, except employees and workers in the federal and local governments, armed forces and police, and domestic servants. Here are the primary provisions of the UAE labor law.
- Employment Contracts. The new law requires employers to only have fixed-term contracts. The contracts must indicate the start and end dates, which will often align with the validity of the employee’s residence visa.
- Working Hours. The maximum working hours for employees in the private sector should not exceed 8 hours per day, making it 48 hours per week. The law provides for a reduction of working hours by two hours during Ramadhan.
- Maternity Leave. Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, an increase from the previous 45 days.
The UAE has 35 Free Zones where companies must operate under laws based on taxation, foreign ownership, employment, profits, and capital. Here is an overview of the duties of an employer under the MoHre.
- Employers can choose the working hours for remote working employees
- Employers can abolish the remote working system at any time if the employee breaks the rules
- Employers must hire employees who are qualified to take up the job remotely.
- Employers must provide the necessary tools and systems to employees to ensure ease in remote working
- We onboard employees in the UAE within 24 hours, managing contracts and compliance so they can start working immediately.
- Our team streamlines the onboarding process by handling work permits and visas.
- We accurately handle the payroll process, ensuring your employees are pain on time and in the local currency.
- We provide detailed payroll reports, compliance updates, and workforce insights to help you make informed decisions.
- We help you concentrate on running your business since we take care of your employees and compliance needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talent Grid Africa allows businesses to expand into the UAE without establishing a local entity. We manage payroll, taxes, benefits, visas, and compliance with labour laws, enabling you to hire talent quickly and operate seamlessly.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, all employees must be hired on fixed-term contracts. The standard working week is 48 hours (8 hours per day), with reduced hours during Ramadan. Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave.
The UAE has no payroll tax and no withholding tax for non-residents. Corporate tax is levied only on foreign banks and oil companies. Employers contribute 17.5% to social security, while employees contribute 5%. Free Zone businesses are generally exempt from corporate tax.
Yes. We simplify the visa process for expatriate employees, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and smooth onboarding into your business.
Our EOR services include employee onboarding, international recruitment, visa support, payroll outsourcing, and outplacement services for smooth employee transitions.