The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to attract global employers seeking top-tier talent across fintech, real estate, energy, SaaS, and professional services. With no personal income tax, advanced infrastructure, and a diverse expatriate workforce, the UAE is a premier destination for remote hiring. However, employment regulations—including visa sponsorship, Arabic contracts, and Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance—make the hiring process intricate. One of the most critical early steps is issuing clear, compliant offer letters that outline salary, benefits, and expectations in line with UAE labor laws. Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies this process by handling visa applications, onboarding logistics, and contract localization. This guide breaks down the step-by-step process of creating and sending legally compliant offer letters through an EOR to ensure smooth, secure, and regulation-aligned hiring in the UAE.
Table of Contents
- Job Offer Letter & Onboarding Flow for a Remote EOR Employee
- Offer Letter vs Employment Contract in UAE
- When Should a Job Offer Letter Be Sent?
- What Salary Details Must Be in the Offer Letter?
- Job Offer Letter Checklist for UAE
- Download a UAE-Compliant Offer Letter Template
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Job Offer Letter & Onboarding Flow for a Remote EOR Employee
Hiring via an EOR in the UAE involves a shared responsibility model between the client company and the EOR partner:
- Candidate Selection – The employer identifies and interviews the candidate.
- Offer Drafting – The employer drafts basic offer details including salary, start date, and allowances.
- EOR Review – The EOR localizes the offer to comply with UAE Labor Law and prepares a bilingual version if needed.
- Candidate Acceptance – The candidate reviews and accepts the offer terms.
- Employment Contract – The EOR issues a legally binding contract in Arabic and English.
- Government Registration – The EOR handles visa processing, Emirates ID, medical tests, and WPS registration.
Offer Letter vs Employment Contract in UAE
- Job Offer Letter: A preliminary, non-binding document expressing intent to hire. Includes high-level terms like role, salary, benefits, and start date.
- Employment Contract: A legally binding agreement governed by the UAE Labour Law. Must be submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or Free Zone Authority.
Note: While the offer letter helps align expectations, only the signed Arabic contract is enforceable under UAE law.

When Should a Job Offer Letter Be Sent?
To achieve the best hiring outcomes, it’s recommended to issue the job offer letter within 24 to 48 hours after the final interview. Timely communication demonstrates your company’s efficiency and reinforces the candidate’s interest and excitement about the role. A well-crafted offer letter should include several important components to ensure clarity and promote a smooth acceptance process.
These components include:
- A clear response deadline, typically within 3 to 5 business days, allowing the candidate enough time to review the terms and respond with confidence.
- Contact information for the HR representative or hiring manager, enabling the candidate to reach out with any questions or clarifications.
- A tentative start date, which helps the candidate plan their notice period, relocation, or onboarding timeline.
- A concise summary of compensation, benefits, and allowances, such as housing, medical coverage, annual leave, and bonuses.
Prompt, professional communication improves offer acceptance rates and sets a positive tone for the employee experience.
Suggested Read: Remote Employees Onboarding Checklist with EOR in UAE
What Salary Details Must Be in the Offer Letter?
UAE offer letters typically present the gross monthly salary as a total figure, but it’s essential to provide a transparent breakdown to ensure both legal compliance and candidate clarity. The offer should clearly distinguish between basic salary and various allowances, as these distinctions affect statutory benefits like gratuity and payroll reporting under the Wage Protection System (WPS).
Here are the key elements to include in the salary section of a UAE offer letter:
- Basic salary vs. allowances, such as housing, transportation, and education, with each component itemized.
- Performance bonuses, whether discretionary or guaranteed, including frequency and eligibility conditions.
- Medical insurance and travel allowances, which are standard non-cash benefits in the UAE and should be explicitly mentioned.
- Gratuity eligibility, which is calculated based only on the basic salary component as per UAE Labor Law.
- Optional: A WPS-compliant breakdown and monthly salary disbursement schedule to prevent future payroll-related confusion.
Being transparent with these components not only sets proper expectations but also reduces the risk of contract disputes and ensures compliance with UAE labor regulations.

Job Offer Letter Checklist for UAE
To ensure legal compliance and candidate clarity, your UAE EOR job offer letter should include the following key components:
Job Title and Role Description
Clearly specify the job title and a brief outline of responsibilities, reporting lines, and expectations.
Start Date and Work Location
Mention the proposed start date and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or tied to a specific Emirate. Even remote positions must reference a legal work location.
Monthly Gross Salary and Allowance Breakdown
State the total gross salary in AED, clearly breaking it down into basic salary and allowances (housing, transport, education, etc.). This affects gratuity and payroll processing.
Gratuity Clause and Probation Period
Include end-of-service benefit eligibility (based on basic pay) and define the probation period, usually 3–6 months, with evaluation terms.
Statutory Benefits
List benefits such as medical insurance, 30 days of paid annual leave, public holidays, and airfare allowance if applicable.
Visa Sponsorship Confirmation
Confirm that the EOR will handle visa sponsorship, medical testing, Emirates ID, and work permit processing.
Arabic Translation Note
State that the final employment contract will be bilingual (English and Arabic), as required by MOHRE or Free Zone authorities.
Offer Validity and Contact Information
Include a response deadline (typically 3–5 business days) and contact details for follow-up questions.
Electronic Signature or Declaration of Acceptance
Provide an option for e-signature or request return of a signed copy by email to confirm acceptance.
By including these components, your offer letter will be compliant with UAE labor laws and best suited for remote hiring through an EOR.
Suggested Read: Employer of Record UAE: A Comprehensive Guide 2025
Conclusion
Creating a clear, compliant job offer letter is a vital step when hiring remote employees in the UAE through an EOR. With specific legal requirements around Arabic contracts, WPS payroll, and visa regulations, working with a UAE-based EOR ensures that offer letters reflect the country’s labor laws while maintaining global hiring standards.
EOR partners like Asanify help international employers issue compliant offer letters, manage visa formalities, prepare Arabic employment contracts, and ensure smooth onboarding. Whether you’re scaling fast across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Free Zones, this step-by-step approach guarantees legal alignment, talent confidence, and operational efficiency.
FAQs
No, only the signed Arabic employment contract submitted to MOHRE is legally binding.
Not necessarily, but the final employment contract must be bilingual (Arabic + English) for MOHRE submission.
Between 3 to 6 months, depending on the employer’s preference.
It’s based on basic salary: 21 days per year for the first 5 years, 30 days afterward.
Yes, EORs act as the legal employer and manage all formalities, including offer and contract issuance.
Yes, discretionary or performance-linked bonuses can be included.
Medical insurance, paid leave, airfare reimbursement, and end-of-service benefits.
Yes, but it’s best to communicate clearly and respectfully to avoid reputational risks.
Yes, UAE law requires clear mention of all fixed and variable salary components.
WPS is the Wage Protection System for payroll compliance and applies to all employees on UAE payroll.
Yes, EORs manage the entire onboarding process including immigration steps.
Most EORs only support full-time roles with proper visa sponsorship.
Yes, under UAE labor law, employers must provide medical insurance for all employees.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.