Foreign nationals require an Employment Entrance Visa (“pink visa”) and work permit to work in the UAE.

• Employers must secure visa quota approval from the Ministry of Labor, file an employment contract, and obtain work permit approval before the visa is issued.
• Pink visa holders must enter the UAE within 2 months; upon arrival, they have 60 days to obtain a resident visa and formal work permit.
• Work permits must be sponsored by a locally licensed entity.
• Employees can sponsor family members once they hold a resident visa.

• Income includes salaries, wages, bonuses, overtime, benefits, and allowances.
• Deductions: Income tax (none for individuals) and social security (nationals only: employer 12.5%, employee 5%)
• ‍Payroll cycle: Monthly, paid by last working day; employees must be paid within 2 weeks after month-end.

• Probation: 3–6 months (max 6).
• Notice: 30–90 days depending on contract.
• Minimum Wage: None for expatriates; nationals—AED 3,000 (no diploma), AED 4,000 (high school), AED 5,000 (degree).
• Working Hours: 48/week; shorter during Ramadan.
• Overtime: 125% night (9 p.m.–4 a.m.), 150% other times; Friday work gets paid day off + 150% rate.
• Severance: 21 days’ pay/year for first 5 years, 30 days thereafter; payable within 14 days.‍
• Non-compete: Max 2 years, must define scope and geography.

• Social security: Nationals only (5% employee, 12.5% employer).
• Health insurance: Employer must cover employee + spouse + up to 3 children.
• Annual Leave: 30 days after 1 year’s service.
• Sick Leave: Up to 90 days/year (after 3 months service) with medical certificate.
• Maternity: 45 days paid; additional 45 unpaid with certificate.
• Other Leave: 5 days family responsibility, compassionate leave (5 spouse death, 3 family death), 10 days study leave.‍
• Public Holidays: 14 days/year.

• Personal income tax: None.‍
• Double Tax Treaties: Multiple