Employer of record in the UAE from AED 899 per employee per month. Staffenza runs payroll, visas, contracts and labour compliance.
No Local Entity Needed
We employ your staff on our licence, so you can start hiring without your own UAE company.
Staffenza · IT Staffing in United Arab Emirates
Employer of Record in United Arab Emirates Employer of Record Services in the UAE
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a company that legally employs staff for you, so you can hire in the UAE without a local entity. Staffenza's EOR service handles contracts, visas, payroll and compliance. It costs AED 899 per employee per month, plus government costs at actual cost.
USD 225
Remote Team / Month
15–20%
Direct Hire Fee
AED 899
EOR / Month
Looking For Employer of Record UAE?
Employer of Record in United Arab Emirates With Staffenza
Companies use Staffenza’s Employer of Record service to hire in the UAE quickly and legally. We become the legal employer, sponsor the visa and pay salaries through the UAE Wage Protection System. You choose the person and manage their daily work.
Problem We Solved
Setting up a UAE entity for a few hires takes time and money. With an EOR, you can employ staff now and decide on an entity later.
Start Hiring Employer of Record Now
About Staffenza
Staffenza is a Gulf tech-talent specialist. Our Employer of Record service employs staff in the UAE for companies abroad and in the region.
What an Employer of Record does
- Issues the employment contract under UAE labour law
- Handles the work permit, visa and Emirates ID process
- Runs monthly payroll through the Wage Protection System
- Manages leave, end-of-service benefits and offboarding
EOR vs PEO
In the UAE, EOR and PEO are often used for the same service: a provider employs staff on your behalf. You direct the work, while the provider is the legal employer.
Related services
See Employer of Record in Dubai, EOR for IT staff and IT staff augmentation services.
How It Works
Get Employer of Record UAE With Staffenza
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What an Employer of Record Does in the UAE
An Employer of Record (EOR) becomes the legal employer of your staff in the UAE. You choose the person and direct their work. The EOR carries the employment obligations.
| Staffenza handles | You handle |
|---|---|
| Employment contract under UAE labour law | Choosing the candidate |
| Work permit, residence visa and Emirates ID | Daily tasks, goals and performance |
| Monthly payroll through the Wage Protection System (WPS) | Approving salary, leave and expenses |
| Health insurance and end-of-service gratuity tracking | Equipment and system access |
| Leave, notice and exit paperwork | Telling us about changes to the role |
EOR vs Your Own UAE Entity vs Remote Staffing
| Employer of Record | Your own UAE entity | Remote staff augmentation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the person works | In the UAE | In the UAE | Outside the UAE, usually India |
| Who employs them | Staffenza | Your company | Staffenza, outside the UAE |
| Trade licence needed | No | Yes | No |
| UAE visa needed | Yes, sponsored by Staffenza | Yes, sponsored by you | No |
| Staffenza fee | AED 899 per employee per month, plus government costs | Not applicable | USD 225 a month on top of salary |
| Best for | A few local hires, market entry or project staff | Large, long-term UAE teams | Engineering capacity at lower cost |
Need a permanent hire on your own payroll instead? Our IT recruitment service costs 15–20% of the first-year package, with a 3-month replacement guarantee.
Employer of Record Cost in the UAE
Staffenza charges AED 899 per employee per month, on top of the salary. Government costs are billed at actual cost, with no mark-up.
Government costs to budget for
- Entry permit and change of status, where needed
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID and residence visa
- MOHRE work permit
- Health insurance
Example: for an employee on a monthly salary of AED 15,000, you pay AED 15,899 a month plus government costs. Compare models with our hiring cost calculator.
How Hiring Through an EOR Works
- Agree the offer: you confirm the salary, benefits and start date.
- Issue the contract: we prepare a UAE employment contract in Staffenza's name.
- Process the visa: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, residence visa and work permit.
- Onboard: the employee starts work with you, and we enrol them in payroll and insurance.
- Run payroll: we pay salaries each month through WPS and send you one invoice.
UAE Employment Rules Your EOR Manages
Private-sector employment on the UAE mainland follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Key rules include:
- Probation: up to six months.
- Notice period: at least 30 days and no more than 90 days.
- Annual leave: two days a month in the first year, then 30 days a year.
- End-of-service gratuity: 21 days of basic pay per year for the first five years, then 30 days, capped at two years' wages.
- Health insurance: employer-funded cover has been mandatory for private-sector employees across the UAE since 1 January 2025.
- Pension: UAE and GCC nationals are registered with the relevant pension authority.
Mainland, free zones, DIFC and ADGM
Free zone companies get permits through their free zone authority. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws. Tell us where the person will work and we will confirm the right setup.
Emiratisation
Larger private companies must meet Emiratisation targets. Our Emiratisation guide explains the 2026 rules.
When to Use an Employer of Record
- You want to hire in the UAE before setting up a company.
- You need a small number of local staff, such as sales, support or engineering roles.
- You are testing the market or running a fixed project.
- You want one provider to handle visas, payroll and compliance.
If you only need engineering capacity and the person does not need to be in the UAE, remote staff augmentation usually costs less.
Employer of Record in UAE: Get a Quote
Get In Touch With Us!
Ready to hire Employer of Record UAE? Tell us the role, experience level, and budget you have in mind. We’ll match you with vetted candidates.
More information:
Prefer to talk first? Reach out via email or phone and our team will reply as soon as possible.
FAQ: Employer of Record UAE
1. What is an Employer of Record?
An Employer of Record is a company that legally employs staff on your behalf. It holds the contract, sponsors the visa and runs payroll, while you manage the employee’s work.
2. How much does an Employer of Record cost in the UAE?
Staffenza’s EOR service costs AED 899 per employee per month. Government costs, such as visa and permit fees, are charged at actual cost.
3. Do I need a UAE company to use an EOR?
No. The EOR employs the staff on its own licence, so you can hire without setting up a local entity.
4. What is the difference between EOR and PEO?
In the UAE, the terms are often used for the same service. Both mean a provider employs staff for you while you direct their work.
5. Can you also find the employee for us?
Yes. We can recruit and vet the candidate through our five vetting steps, then employ them through EOR. Direct hire placements cost 15-20% of the first-year package.