Full UAE payroll outsourcing covers: WPS SIF file generation and submission, GPSSA contribution calculation and remittance, MOHRE work permit tracking, leave and gratuity provisioning, and monthly compliance reporting. Partial outsourcing (just calculations) still leaves the employer responsible for WPS timing and MOHRE penalties.
What full UAE payroll outsourcing should include
- Monthly payroll calculation — gross salary, allowances, deductions, GPSSA (where applicable), leave adjustment, commission/overtime.
- WPS SIF file generation and submission — the provider generates the WPS-format salary file and submits directly to the WPS agent. The employer does not need to handle SIF files.
- GPSSA contribution calculation and remittance — for UAE and GCC national employees, the provider calculates the 12.5% + 5% split and remits to GPSSA before the 15th of the following month.
- Payslip distribution — employees receive payslips (digital or printed) by the pay date.
- Leave balance tracking — annual leave, sick leave, and carry-forward balances updated monthly.
- Gratuity provisioning — monthly gratuity accrual per employee tracked and reported on the balance sheet.
- MOHRE work permit and visa expiry tracking — reminders 90/60/30 days before expiry.
- Compliance reporting — monthly payroll summary, year-end reconciliation, and audit-ready documentation.
What is usually NOT included in standard payroll outsourcing
- Emiratisation hiring strategy — payroll providers track the headcount but do not recruit UAE nationals. Emiratisation gap identification is included; closing the gap is an HR function.
- Employment contracts and HR documentation — payroll processing is separate from contract drafting. Some providers offer HR services as an add-on.
- Disciplinary and termination process — the payroll provider calculates the final settlement; the employer or HR advisor manages the dismissal process.
- Labour court representation — MOHRE complaints and court filings are outside standard payroll scope.
How to evaluate a UAE payroll provider
- WPS ownership: Does the provider own the WPS submission (name on the WPS agent account) or do they just give you the SIF file? If you own the WPS submission, the deadline risk stays with you.
- MOHRE access: Can the provider access your MOHRE Tasheel account, or do they just send a file for you to upload? Providers with direct MOHRE access catch errors before they become penalties.
- FTA/MOHRE query response: If FTA or MOHRE queries a payroll record, does the provider maintain the documentation to respond? Ask for a sample query response SLA.
- Technology: Does the provider use a proper HRMS (Bayzat, Darwinbox, Rippling UAE) or just Excel? HRMS integrations reduce SIF errors and leave tracking mistakes.
- References: Ask for references from UAE clients with a similar headcount and industry. WPS error rates and MOHRE penalty history are the key performance indicators.
Ready to outsource UAE payroll?
Our team handles WPS SIF submission, GPSSA remittance, MOHRE tracking, leave management, and monthly reporting. Fixed monthly fee, no surprises.
Frequently asked questions
What does UAE payroll outsourcing include?+
Full-service payroll outsourcing covers: monthly salary calculation, WPS SIF file generation and submission, GPSSA contributions (for nationals), payslip distribution, leave balance tracking, gratuity provisioning, work permit expiry tracking, and monthly compliance reporting.
Who is responsible for WPS if payroll is outsourced?+
The legal WPS obligation always rests with the employer. However, a full-service payroll provider owns the WPS submission in practice — they generate the SIF file and submit it to the WPS agent. If the provider misses the deadline, the employer bears the penalty; seek contractual protection and SLA commitments from your provider.
What is the typical cost of UAE payroll outsourcing?+
Fixed fee per employee per month — typically AED 50–200 per employee depending on headcount, complexity (UAE nationals with GPSSA, high overtime tracking) and service scope. Larger headcounts attract lower per-head rates.
Can a UAE payroll provider handle MOHRE filings?+
Yes — with the employer’s authorisation, a payroll provider can handle MOHRE Tasheel work permit renewals, contract registrations, and WPS monitoring. This requires granting the provider access to your MOHRE account.
Does payroll outsourcing eliminate Emiratisation compliance risk?+
Partially. A good payroll provider tracks your Emirati headcount vs target and alerts you to gaps. But closing an Emiratisation gap requires hiring — that is an HR and recruitment function, not payroll processing.
What HRMS systems are commonly used for UAE payroll?+
Bayzat, Darwinbox, Zoho People, Rippling, and SAP SuccessFactors are commonly used in UAE. Many have built-in WPS SIF generation, MOHRE integration, and leave management modules. Smaller businesses use Bayzat or Zoho; enterprise clients use SAP or Darwinbox.