How to Pay Employees in the UAE Without an Emirates ID

If you’re hiring in the UAE, you’ve probably run into this: a new employee is ready to start, but they’re stuck waiting for their Emirates ID. And if you’re trying to pay employees in the UAE without that ID in hand? It gets tricky fast.

In the meantime? No access to their salary. No digital wallet. No real way to settle into the job. And if you’re managing HR, it’s one more thing on your plate.

In this post, we’re going to break down how passport-only onboarding works in the UAE, what it means for your business, and how it can make life easier for both you and your employees.

Let’s get into it.

The Problem: Delays That Slow Everyone Down

Picture this. You’ve just hired five new workers. They’re all eager to get going. But their Emirates IDs? Still “processing.” That means:

You can’t pay them through official channels yet
They don’t have access to mobile banking
You’re stuck juggling paperwork and follow-ups

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. According to a 2023 survey by GulfTalent, over 65% of HR managers in the region said onboarding delays were a major challenge—especially when hiring blue-collar or entry-level workers.

And it’s not just annoying. It can hurt morale, stall productivity, and make it harder to retain good people.

Here’s how Mariam, an HR Manager at a UAE-based logistics company, put it:

“We’d often have employees wait weeks for their ID, unable to receive wages or use digital wallets. It created stress for them and pressure on our HR team.”

The Fix: Passport-Only Onboarding

A faster way to pay employees in the UAE without Emirates ID

At NOW Money, we’ve launched a new way to make onboarding smoother: passport-only setup. It’s powered by biometric verification technology from Emirates Face Recognition.

No Emirates ID? No problem.

Here’s what that means:

Your employees can receive salaries from day one
They can access mobile banking tools right away
You spend less time chasing paperwork

This process doesn’t skip the legal steps—it just skips the ID waiting period. Identity is verified through biometric technology approved by the UAE government.

Mohammed, who leads People Ops at a hospitality company in Dubai, told us:

“Being able to set up accounts with only a passport has cut our onboarding time in half. Our workers feel valued, and we’re no longer chasing documents.”

This can be a game-changer—especially for companies hiring in bulk or with high turnover. If you’re looking for a legal and compliant way to pay employees in the UAE without Emirates ID delays, this gives you that option.

Ready to onboard faster and pay sooner? Book a demo to see how passport-only onboarding works in action.

Why It Matters (Like, A Lot)

We all know that payroll isn’t just a money thing—it’s a trust thing. If your team can’t access their pay, it affects everything: morale, motivation, and even whether they stick around.

Faster onboarding means:

Less admin stress for HR teams
A better experience for new hires
Fewer delays in getting people productive

NOW Money is fully integrated with the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS) and follows all MOHRE requirements. So you’re not just saving time—you’re staying fully compliant too. Want to dig into the legal side? Check out the MOHRE labour law portal.

HR teams already have enough going on—hiring targets, onboarding checklists, compliance reporting, all of it. Add the pressure of trying to pay employees in the UAE without Emirates ID, and it gets even messier. A smoother onboarding flow can seriously ease the load. We’ve got more tips on that in our blog about streamlining payroll.

Want to understand how pay structures work? You’ll also want to check out our article on basic salary in UAE labour law.

What Makes This Different?

Unlike traditional banks that require Emirates ID to open full IBAN-based accounts, NOW Money offers WPS-linked mobile wallets that can be activated with just a passport and valid visa.

This kind of setup is especially helpful for:

Construction companies and logistics firms with large workforces
Cleaning and maintenance services
Retail and hospitality businesses bringing in seasonal staff

If you’ve ever struggled to onboard 30 new people in a week—you get it. This is about making that process faster, easier, and way less stressful.

FAQs

Can I pay employees in the UAE without an Emirates ID?
Yes—as long as they have a valid UAE visa and work permit, they can be onboarded and paid through WPS-compliant platforms like NOW Money.

Is passport-only onboarding legal?
Yes. MOHRE does not mandate Emirates ID as the only accepted form of identity. As long as the employee has valid labour approval and their identity is verified using ICP-approved methods like Emirates Face Recognition, it’s fully compliant.

Which businesses benefit most?
Construction, hospitality, logistics, cleaning—basically any industry where you’re hiring often or need to get people started quickly.