Global Employment Guides
10 mins read
Author
Published on:
Dec 30, 2025
Updated on:
Dec 30, 2025
Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution makes it easy to hire, pay, and manage global employees.
Book a demoThe United Arab Emirates is one of the most attractive yet complex destinations for global hiring in 2026. Its strategic location, business-friendly environment, and role as a gateway to the Middle East and North Africa make it a prime market for international expansion. At the same time, UAE hiring comes with strict regulatory requirements that can be difficult to navigate without local expertise.
Employers must comply with the Wage Protection System for payroll reporting, provide mandatory health insurance, and follow detailed UAE labor law rules around contracts, probation, termination, and end-of-service gratuity. Visa sponsorship is also a critical factor, particularly for expatriate employees, and requirements can differ depending on whether an employee is hired on the mainland or through a free zone entity. These complexities are why many companies rely on an Employer of Record to hire employees in the UAE compliantly.
| Provider | Starting price | Onboarding speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivermate | €299/month | Fast (1–3 days) | Startups needing hands-on UAE support |
| Remote | US$599/month | Fast (2–5 days) | Tech companies scaling globally |
| Deel | US$599/month | Fast (1–3 days) | Companies needing strong UAE compliance |
| Multiplier | ~US$400/month | Moderate (3–7 days) | SMEs needing cost-effective UAE hiring |
| AYP Group | Custom | Moderate (5–10 days) | APAC and UAE expansion |
| Oyster HR | US$699/month | Moderate (5–10 days) | Remote-first global teams |
| Globalization Partners | Custom | Fast (2–5 days) | Enterprise-level compliance |
| Pebl | Custom | Moderate (5–10 days) | Mid to large distributed teams |
| Skuad | US$199/month | Fast (2–5 days) | Budget-focused startups |
| Papaya Global | US$599/month | Moderate (5–10 days) | Enterprises needing integrations |
Rivermate is widely regarded as one of the most reliable Employer of Record providers in the United Arab Emirates, particularly for companies that want strong local compliance paired with hands-on human support. Unlike automation-only platforms, Rivermate combines technology with deep local expertise, which is especially important in a regulatory environment as nuanced as the UAE.
Rivermate supports both limited and unlimited employment contracts, ensures full Wage Protection System compliance, and manages end-of-service gratuity calculations accurately. The platform also handles visa and work permit sponsorship, helping companies avoid delays and compliance risks during onboarding. Mandatory health insurance and Emirate-specific employment rules are fully supported, reducing exposure to fines and operational disruptions.
Rivermate provides full compliance with UAE labor law, including probation rules, leave entitlements, and termination requirements. Payroll is processed in strict alignment with WPS regulations, ensuring accurate reporting and timely salary payments. Visa and work permit sponsorship are fully managed, removing the need for direct interaction with local authorities. Rivermate also administers end-of-service gratuity correctly and supports mandatory health insurance coverage across different Emirates.
G2 rating: 4.9/5
Price: €299 per employee per month
Free trial: No
Country coverage: 150+ countries
Remote is a global Employer of Record platform known for its automation-driven approach and strong compliance infrastructure, making it popular with technology companies hiring in the UAE.
Remote offers automated UAE payroll with WPS compliance, visa sponsorship, and compliant employment contracts. Its global payroll engine and contractor management tools support companies scaling across multiple countries from a single platform.
G2 rating: 4.5/5
Price: US$599 per employee per month
Free trial: Yes
Country coverage: 70+ countries
Deel is a well-known global EOR provider with strong brand recognition and compliance capabilities across many markets, including the UAE.
Deel supports fast onboarding, UAE-compliant payroll, digital contract generation, and visa sponsorship. It is well-suited for globally distributed teams that want centralized workforce management.
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Price: US$599 per employee per month
Free trial: Demo
Country coverage: 150+ countries
Multiplier is an automation-first EOR platform offering competitive pricing and solid UAE coverage.
Multiplier provides UAE payroll with WPS compliance, visa processing assistance, automated gratuity calculations, and localized benefits, making it attractive to small and mid-sized businesses.
G2 rating: 4.6/5
Price: Approximately US$400 per employee per month
Free trial: Yes
Country coverage: 150+ countries
AYP Group is a regional HR and EOR provider with strong expertise across APAC and the Middle East.
AYP Group offers deep knowledge of local employment laws, tax compliance, and visa workflows, making it suitable for companies expanding across Asia and the Gulf region.
G2 rating: 4.6/5
Price: Custom
Free trial: No
Country coverage: APAC and selective global markets
Oyster HR focuses on remote-first teams and simplified global hiring.
Oyster provides UAE-compliant contracts, straightforward onboarding flows, and global compliance documentation through a clean and easy-to-use platform.
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Price: US$699 per employee per month
Free trial: Yes
Country coverage: 130+ countries
Globalization Partners is an enterprise-focused EOR provider with deep compliance resources.
The platform offers strong legal oversight, local UAE expertise, and payroll accuracy, making it suitable for large multinational organizations.
G2 rating: 4.5/5
Price: Custom
Free trial: No
Country coverage: 180+ countries
Pebl, formerly Velocity Global, supports distributed teams at scale.
Pebl offers UAE compliance support, contractor management, and 24/7 customer service for mid to large organizations operating across multiple markets.
G2 rating: 4.2/5
Price: Custom
Free trial: No
Country coverage: 185+ countries
Skuad is known for affordability and speed.
Skuad provides budget-friendly UAE hiring with WPS-compliant payroll and fast onboarding, making it suitable for early-stage companies.
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Price: US$199 per employee per month
Free trial: No
Country coverage: 160+ countries
Papaya Global offers an enterprise-grade payroll and workforce management platform.
Papaya supports WPS-compliant payroll, automated deductions, advanced reporting, and centralized compliance tools for global organizations.
G2 rating: 4.5/5
Price: US$599 per employee per month
Free trial: No
Country coverage: 160+ countries
Choosing the right Employer of Record in the UAE starts with compliance expertise. UAE labor laws are detailed and strictly enforced, particularly around payroll reporting, contract structures, and employee benefits. Any EOR under consideration should have proven experience with WPS compliance, compliant employment contracts, and both mainland and free zone employment setups.
Visa sponsorship is another critical factor. Most expatriate employees require employer-sponsored visas, and delays or mistakes can disrupt hiring plans. A strong EOR should manage work permits, residency visas, and renewals efficiently while maintaining payroll accuracy and benefits administration.
Pricing transparency, service quality, and scalability should also be evaluated. Some providers advertise low base pricing but add fees for visas, benefits, or offboarding. The best EOR balances cost, responsiveness, and local expertise while supporting long term growth.
An EOR allows companies to hire employees in the UAE without setting up a local legal entity. The EOR becomes the legal employer, managing payroll, compliance, benefits, and immigration, while the client company retains control over day to day work. For a detailed overview of local rules, see our Employer of Record UAE guide.
Hiring in the UAE requires strict adherence to the Wage Protection System, which mandates salary payments through approved channels with payroll reporting to authorities. Non-compliance can result in fines, visa blocks, or operational restrictions.
Employers must also provide mandatory health insurance and comply with UAE labor law governing probation periods, working hours, leave, termination, and end-of-service gratuity. Gratuity calculations are particularly sensitive and must be handled accurately.
Additional considerations include public holidays, sick leave, and Emiratization requirements for certain sectors. An experienced EOR helps companies remain compliant as regulations evolve.
The United Arab Emirates offers strong advantages for international hiring, including access to global talent and strategic regional positioning. At the same time, its employment regulations are complex and actively enforced, making compliant hiring challenging without local expertise.
An Employer of Record removes this burden by managing payroll, visas, benefits, and compliance while allowing companies to focus on operations and growth. Choosing the right provider requires careful evaluation of compliance strength, pricing transparency, and support quality.
An EOR acts as the legal employer on your behalf, allowing you to hire without setting up your own legal entity. They manage contracts, payroll, mandatory benefits, and legal compliance, while you retain full control over day-to-day work.
Most hires are completed within one to seven days, depending on visa requirements.
Yes, you retain full control over tasks, goals, and performance management.
Pricing typically ranges from US$199 to US$700 or more per employee per month.
Employers must comply with UAE employment laws, including WPS payroll reporting, providing health insurance, and following UAE labor law.
An Employer of Record acts as the legal sponsor for the employee and manages the full visa process, including work permits, residency visas, medical checks, and renewals.
Key benefits include fast and compliant hiring without setting up a local entity, end-to-end management of visas, payroll, and statutory benefits, reduced compliance risk, predictable pricing, and access to local expertise.
Founder & Managing Director
Lucas Botzen is the founder of Rivermate, a global HR platform specializing in international payroll, compliance, and benefits management for remote companies. He previously co-founded and successfully exited Boloo, scaling it to over €2 million in annual revenue. Lucas is passionate about technology, automation, and remote work, advocating for innovative digital solutions that streamline global employment.
Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution makes it easy to hire, pay, and manage global employees.
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