United Arab Emirates Employment Guide

The UAE is in eastern Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Persian Gulf (north), Oman and Saudi Arabia (south). It has ~10 million people, with most being foreign workers; Arabic is official, Abu Dhabi is the capital, and major cities include Dubai and Sharjah. Its economy is pillar-supported by oil and gas, while finance, real estate, tourism and aviation develop rapidly as a key Middle East economic hub. Labor laws (per UAE Labour Law) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: 48 hours (overtime needs extra pay). Salaries are usually monthly (avg. AED 12,000-15,000 pre-tax, varying by industry/position). Laws cover paid leave and protect contract/temp workers, balancing interests for a flexible, sustainable labor market.

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Currency

United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Official language

Arabic

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in United Arab Emirates

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Essential Elements of UAE Employment Contracts

Employment contracts in the UAE must be drafted in English, with bilingual versions permitted. These agreements require written form and signatures from both employer and employee to be legally binding.

To initiate the visa process, a deposit is mandatory. This policy protects SailGlobal, as visa issuance triggers salary obligations. If a client cancels after visa approval, SailGlobal assumes financial risk. A comprehensive contract should clearly outline:

Full name of the employee
Official start date of employment
Total duration of the contract
Detailed job description and responsibilities
Conditions for contract termination
Breakdown of total monthly salary, including all components
Specifics of the probation period and notice requirements
Details regarding end-of-service gratuity
Annual leave entitlement in days

Employees may be offered limited-term or fixed-term contracts. The maximum contract duration is 10 years, renewable for equivalent periods. Indefinite contracts are not permitted under UAE law, and backdating agreements is strictly prohibited.

Understanding the Probation Period in the UAE

A probationary period is a legal requirement for employment in the UAE. The statutory maximum is three months, with a potential extension of up to three additional months permitted.

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