Payroll in the UAE
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Payroll in the UAE
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Payroll in the UAE
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Pay your team on time, every time
Wages must be paid through the Wage Protection System (WPS) or another approved channel for most private sector employers, mainland and free zone alike, and are due on the first day of the following month with no grace period. Non-compliance triggers fines and work permit restrictions, and DIFC and ADGM run their own wage protection frameworks rather than standard WPS.
We manage payroll processing and WPS compliance so your team is paid correctly and on time, and your business stays inside the rules every month. Payroll in the UAE isn't just a monthly calculation, it's a compliance system with real deadlines attached, and one that has recently gotten stricter, not looser.
Why this matters more than ever
Wage protection rules in the UAE tightened significantly through 2026. The grace period many businesses used to rely on has effectively gone. Wages are now considered late the moment they miss the first-of-month deadline, and the compliance threshold requires both an overall 85% payment rate and individual compliance per employee. New hires no longer get an exemption period either.
None of this is difficult to manage with the right process in place. It's easy to get wrong with an informal one.
Why this matters more than ever
Wage protection rules in the UAE tightened significantly through 2026. The grace period many businesses used to rely on has effectively gone. Wages are now considered late the moment they miss the first-of-month deadline, and the compliance threshold requires both an overall 85% payment rate and individual compliance per employee. New hires no longer get an exemption period either.
None of this is difficult to manage with the right process in place. It's easy to get wrong with an informal one.
Why this matters more than ever
Wage protection rules in the UAE tightened significantly through 2026. The grace period many businesses used to rely on has effectively gone. Wages are now considered late the moment they miss the first-of-month deadline, and the compliance threshold requires both an overall 85% payment rate and individual compliance per employee. New hires no longer get an exemption period either.
None of this is difficult to manage with the right process in place. It's easy to get wrong with an informal one.
What's included
Payroll processing
Monthly salary calculations, allowances and deductions, handled end to end.
WPS compliance
Gratuity and framework guidance
End-of-service gratuity calculations, and guidance on which WPS framework applies to your entity, since mainland, most free zones, and DIFC/ADGM each work slightly differently.
Ongoing compliance monitoring
Why Rise Accounting
Chartered Accountants & Tax Experts
Combining local market knowledge and international experience.
Chartered Accountants & Tax Experts
Combining local market knowledge and international experience.
More than compliance
We get close enough to your business to advise on the decisions that actually move the needle: structuring, growth planning, cross-border complexity.
More than compliance
We get close enough to your business to advise on the decisions that actually move the needle: structuring, growth planning, cross-border complexity.
One team, two markets
Our London and Dubai offices share the same standards and approach. If you have afairs in both locations, work directly with one team.
One team, two markets
Our London and Dubai offices share the same standards and approach. If you have afairs in both locations, work directly with one team.
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Dimas Urgal, Finance Lead at Proxima Fusion
"Very good and experienced accountants. They are more than service providers, they are partners."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
A
Aleck O'Neill, Altair Aviation Services
"Setting up a business in the UAE from abroad can feel pretty daunting, and I wasn't sure where to start. Rise Accounting made the whole process a lot more straightforward than I expected. Their insight has had a meaningful impact on my tax position."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Dimas Urgal, Finance Lead at Proxima Fusion
"Very good and experienced accountants. They are more than service providers, they are partners."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some quick responses to the most common queries. Need more info? Just reach out to us anytime!
What does a tax consultant in Dubai actually do?
What is the Statutory Residence Test and why does it matter?
What is a Qualifying Free Zone Person?
Is there a double taxation treaty between the UK and UAE that protects me?
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Company Formation Support
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Company Formation Support
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Company Formation Support
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.