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United Arab Emirates payroll compliance calendar
Practical, plain-English help for running HR, onboarding and payroll — from the team behind HikeSeason.
UAE payroll and employment deadlines: WPS salary payments, GPSSA pension for UAE nationals, end-of-service gratuity and Emiratisation targets.
Usual deadlines for a regular employer, last reviewed November 2026. Thresholds, regions, weekends and new rules change some of them: confirm with your payroll adviser.
Every month
Salary due date + 15 days at the latestPay salaries through WPS
Wages go through the Wage Protection System; payment more than 15 days late counts as late.MOHRE · WPS
Wages go through the Wage Protection System; payment more than 15 days late counts as late.MOHRE · WPS
By GPSSA’s monthly due datePension contributions (GPSSA)
For UAE nationals (and GCC nationals under their scheme), employee and employer shares.GPSSA
For UAE nationals (and GCC nationals under their scheme), employee and employer shares.GPSSA
Every year
30 Jun · 31 DecEmiratisation targets
Companies with 50+ employees add 1% skilled Emirati employees by each date (2% a year).MOHRE · Nafis
Companies with 50+ employees add 1% skilled Emirati employees by each date (2% a year).MOHRE · Nafis
When people join or leave
Before work startsWork permit and contract
MOHRE work permit and the signed employment contract.Decree-Law 33/2021
MOHRE work permit and the signed employment contract.Decree-Law 33/2021
Within 14 days of the contract endingEnd-of-service gratuity and final dues
Gratuity after one year of service, plus unpaid wages and leave.Decree-Law 33/2021
Gratuity after one year of service, plus unpaid wages and leave.Decree-Law 33/2021