Employers, employees, and potential employees should check the WPS status of a company to confirm its compliance. Here is how to do it.
Since being introduced, the Wage Protection System (WPS) has become a core part of labour laws in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by helping to ensure the timely and accurate payment of employee wages.
Today, as an employer or an employee, it is important to be aware of your company’s compliance status with the WPS.
With most private sector employers in the UAE now required to comply with WPS, knowing how to check the WPS status of a company can help prevent, identify, and quickly resolve problems with authorities.
In this article, we will consider how to check the WPS status of your company and what steps to take if you are ever banned from the system. We’ll cover:
- An overview of WPS
- How to check the WPS status of a company
- Causes and consequences of non-compliance with WPS
- How to lift a WPS ban
[Do you want a smart, flexible, and cost-effective payroll solution that also helps you comply with WPS regulations? Request a demo to see how NOW Money can help transform your payroll management in the UAE.]
1. An overview of WPS
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a government-regulated electronic salary transfer system established by the Central Bank of the UAE and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). It ensures that employees receive their salaries on time and in full, as per their employment contracts.
Since its launch in 2009, the WPS has been updated through multiple resolutions, including the most recent Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022, and is now an essential part of labour compliance in the UAE.
Who must comply?
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All private sector companies across the UAE, including in Free Zones like JAFZA.
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As of 2024–2025, certain categories of domestic workers are also required to be registered under WPS, including private teachers, home caregivers, and agricultural engineers.
Key WPS compliance rules:
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Salary is considered due one day after the agreed payday
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Salary is considered late 15 days after the due date
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Employers must:
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Pay at least 90% of all employees each month
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Ensure each employee receives at least 80% of their gross salary
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Enroll new employees into the WPS within 30 days of joining
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To process salaries, employers must appoint a licensed WPS agent (bank or exchange house) and submit a Salary Information File (SIF) for each payroll cycle.
2. How to check the WPS status of a company
Whether you’re an employer, employee, or potential jobseeker, it’s important to confirm a company’s WPS compliance.
Check via MOHRE:
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Go to the MOHRE official website.
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Hover over Services and select New Enquiry Services.
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From the dropdown, choose Company Information.
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Enter the company’s registration number or licence number.
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The system will display the company’s WPS compliance status (active, suspended, or penalised).
You can also contact MOHRE through:
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Call centre: 800 60
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WhatsApp: via the MOHRE app
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Email or live chat (available on the MOHRE website)
Check via NOW Money:
If you’re already using NOW Money for payroll, you can view your WPS status directly from your account dashboard:
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Click on “WPS Status” or “Status Report” from the side menu
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You’ll see real-time updates on compliance, file submissions, and any warnings
3. Causes and consequences of non-compliance with WPS
MOHRE has strict enforcement policies, with increasing consequences depending on how late the salary is. Here’s a breakdown:
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 17+ days late | New work permits suspended |
| 30+ days late (500+ workers or high-risk firms) | MOHRE reports to Public Prosecution for legal action |
| 45+ days late | All firms (regardless of size) treated as above |
| 60+ days late | All other companies owned by the same owners also suspended |
| Repeated violations | Downgrade to Category C; fines and inspections triggered |
| 3+ months unpaid | Electronic notification, continued suspension, and inspections at 6 months |
Fines for repeated or serious violations can reach up to AED 50,000 under Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020.
This is why checking a company’s WPS status is especially critical for jobseekers—it helps you avoid employers with unresolved wage violations or bans.
4. How to lift a WPS ban
If a company has been banned from the WPS, it must take the following steps to lift the suspension:
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Pay all overdue salaries through the registered WPS agent
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Submit a corrected SIF if there were errors or omissions
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Clear administrative fines if applicable
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Submit evidence of payment and compliance through MOHRE’s online portal or customer service channels
MOHRE will then review the case and may restore WPS access once all requirements are fulfilled.
⚠️ Companies with repeated offences may remain suspended even after making payments, especially if inspections or legal cases are involved.
Do you want an easy way to ensure compliance with WPS? Try out NOW Money’s digital payroll solution by requesting a demo.]
Staying compliant with WPS isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about building trust with employees and the government. If you want a payroll partner that simplifies compliance, reporting, and monitoring, consider using a solution like NOW Money.
✅ Real-time WPS status
✅ Built-in SIF generation
✅ Support for MOHRE reporting
✅ Mobile bank accounts for low-income workers
Legal Disclaimer
This article reflects UAE labour regulations as of April 2025, including Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022, and relevant updates from MOHRE. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases or legal interpretation, please consult the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or a qualified legal professional.
