UAE Expands Wage Protection System With Seven New Payment Partners

MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) has added seven financial institutions to the upgraded WPS (Wage Protection System), giving employers more choice in how they run payroll and removing much of the paperwork that once came with registration.

Seven New Partners, 17 in Total

The latest additions are Ajman Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, First Gulf Exchange Centre, Lari Exchange and Mashreq. They join a group of existing partners that already included Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Ansari Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange, Al Maryah Community Bank, Botim, e& (Etisalat), GCC Exchange, Habib Bank AG Zurich, Lulu Exchange and Wio Bank, bringing the total number of integrated institutions to 17.

For employers, the significance is straightforward. Many companies already hold their operating accounts with one of these banks or exchange houses. Handling WPS registration and salary transfers through an existing financial relationship means fewer providers to manage and less friction at the end of each month.

How the Upgraded WPS Works

MoHRE launched the upgraded system on 10.12.2025 together with the CBUAE (Central Bank of the UAE) and Al Etihad Payments, the national payments company owned by the CBUAE. Al Etihad Payments manages the central platform, which links MoHRE directly with participating banks and exchange houses through secure API (Application Programming Interface) connections. In practice, salary data now moves between the employer, the financial institution and the Ministry in real time, rather than through manual uploads and after-the-fact reconciliation.

Less Paperwork and Fewer Steps for Employers

The most noticeable change for business owners is in registration. Employers no longer need to visit a bank or exchange house in person or submit physical documents to sign up. Employers complete registration digitally through institutions connected directly to MoHRE systems, and, according to the ministry, the amount of data employers must provide has been cut by 90%.

The employer registers through a secure digital link, sets up confidential login details and creates a company profile, after which the institution reviews and approves the information. For a newly licensed company, this can shorten the gap between receiving a company licence and running its first compliant payroll.

Why WPS Compliance in the UAE Still Matters

It is easy to think of the WPS as a purely administrative tool, but it is at the centre of labour compliance in the UAE. Most private sector employers are required to pay salaries through the system, and MoHRE uses WPS data to check whether wages are paid in full and on time. Late or missing payments can lead to penalties and to restrictions on issuing new work permits.

With real-time data exchange, errors and mismatches should surface sooner, giving employers the chance to correct problems before they turn into compliance issues.

What This Means for Your Business

If you already run payroll through the WPS, it is worth checking whether your current bank or exchange house is now one of the integrated partners, as this could simplify your monthly process. If you are planning a company setup in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, the fully digital registration route removes one more hurdle between licensing and hiring your first employees. In both cases, accurate employee records, correct salary data and timely payments remain essential.