13 Best Employer of Record Companies for MENA Businesses
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Expanding a business internationally presents unique challenges, especially when hiring employees in foreign markets. Navigating local labour laws, tax requirements, and employee benefits can be complex, particularly for companies entering unfamiliar regulatory environments.
To simplify this process, many organisations turn to the best Employer of Record companies. These providers help businesses quickly onboard talent in new countries while ensuring full compliance with local employment standards. For businesses looking to streamline global hiring and maintain compliance, our global HR system helps manage EOR relationships efficiently. Our platform offers a centralized solution to organize employee data, monitor compliance, and ensure smooth onboarding across borders.
What is an Employer of Record?
An employer of record (EOR) is a third-party organisation that becomes the full legal employer of your workforce. An EOR assumes all employer-related responsibilities and tasks on behalf of your company.
An EOR takes on a company’s human resources responsibilities and onboards, pays, manages, supports, and offboards your supported employees while you maintain and control the day-to-day operations.
What Is a Global Employer of Record?
A global employer of record, also often called a global employment organisation, allows companies to legally engage with employees across international borders without having to set up a local entity or risk violating local country or state employment laws.
Think of a global employer of record as an international HR partner that understands the complex labour laws and payroll regulations of the different markets in which a workforce is located.
What Does an Employer of Record Do?
An employer of record (EOR) enables companies to engage and hire talent globally without the need to establish a foreign entity or risk violating local employment laws. The global EOR assumes responsibility for the legal and regulatory aspects of employment, payroll, benefits, and immigration for the international workforce.
While the global EOR is the legal and registered employer of supported employees, the client company retains control over essential management functions, such as setting compensation, assigning project duties, and overseeing performance.
Key services that a global EOR provides include:
- Drafts and maintains locally compliant employment contracts
- Manages all payroll and tax withholdings
- Pays supported employees on time
- Offers comprehensive and statutory benefits
- Ensures compliance with terminations and offboarding
- Provides ongoing support on local labour laws and regulations
Related Reading
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- Employer of Record Payrolling
- Challenges of Managing a Global Workforce
- Consequences of Payroll Errors
13 Best Employer of Record Companies for MENA Businesses
1. Cercli
Cercli is an Employer of Record specifically designed for businesses operating across the Middle East and North Africa. Managing a distributed workforce in the region often comes with complex regulatory requirements, fragmented systems, and local compliance hurdles. An EOR can make a meaningful difference, and Cercli stands out as one of the top choices for businesses in the region.
Unlike many global EOR providers built for Western markets, Cercli is purpose-built for companies in the Middle East. It offers businesses a centralized platform to manage both local teams and international contractors across 150+ countries. Whether you're running payroll across the UAE and Saudi Arabia or onboarding remote employees in new markets, Cercli provides the tools to do it efficiently and in line with local laws.
Key Features:
- Fully compliant payroll processing throughout the UAE, KSA, and the wider MENA region
- Leave management and asset tracking capabilities
- Multi-currency contractor payments for international teams
- Seamless onboarding processes across borders
- Centralized platform eliminating the need for multiple systems
For companies scaling from 25 to 500+ employees, Cercli brings together deep local knowledge and international reach. Rather than cobbling together separate systems for payroll, leave, and compliance across multiple countries, you can manage everything in one place, keeping your operations efficient and your workforce supported.
To see how Cercli can help simplify HR and payroll for your business across MENA and beyond, you can book a demo directly through our platform.
2. Multiplier
Multiplier is a fast-growing global EOR platform that supports businesses hiring internationally, MENA included. With a presence in 150+ countries, it simplifies hiring, payroll, and compliance for remote and distributed teams.
Why it’s great for MENA:
- Local compliance across key MENA jurisdictions
- Automatic tax and benefits calculations
- Employment contracts generated in local languages
- Competitive pricing compared to legacy providers
Ideal for: Startups and tech companies scaling into emerging markets
3. Oyster
Oyster is known for its user-friendly platform and transparent pricing. It enables global hiring in over 180 countries and has growing support for MENA countries like the UAE and Egypt.
Key Highlights:
- Pre-compliant contract templates
- Salary insights for global hiring
- Benefits and equity support
- Automated onboarding and offboarding
Ideal for: Mission-driven global teams and remote-first companies
4. Velocity Global
Velocity Global is one of the most established EOR providers with solid infrastructure across the Middle East. Their high-touch approach to service makes them a good choice for enterprise clients and companies requiring more customized support.
Key Benefits:
- Strong MENA coverage, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
- White-glove onboarding and ongoing HR support
- Integrated risk mitigation tools
- Global benefits and pension offerings
Ideal for: Mid-market and enterprise businesses with complex HR needs
5. Remote
Remote offers a robust EOR platform designed for seamless global hiring, now with growing MENA support. It combines powerful tech with transparent pricing and compliance guarantees.
Features to Note:
- Flat-rate global pricing (no hidden fees)
- Full ownership of legal entities (not third-party vendors)
- Equity and benefits management
- Country-specific hiring guides
Ideal for: Tech-driven companies hiring remotely and efficiently
6. Remofirst
Remofirst is one of the most cost-effective EOR providers available today, offering EOR services in 180+ countries, including MENA markets.
Why it’s a contender:
- Employer of Record services starting as low as $199/month
- Full compliance with local labor laws
- Onboarding in days, not weeks
- Dedicated account management
Ideal for: Budget-conscious startups and small businesses
7. Deel
Deel is one of the most well-known names in the global HR space and continues to grow its EOR and contractor support throughout the MENA region.
What makes Deel stand out:
- Fully localized contracts and in-house entities
- Advanced security and compliance tools
- Integration with popular HR platforms
- In-app visa and relocation support
Ideal for: High-growth startups and global teams expanding fast
8. Connect Resources
Connect Resources is a UAE-based EOR provider with deep local knowledge and connections. They offer end-to-end HR, payroll, and recruitment services tailored to companies operating within the GCC region.
Service Highlights:
- Visa sponsorship and onboarding in the UAE
- Localized HR compliance services
- Workforce planning and strategy
- In-country expertise
Ideal for: Companies expanding specifically in Dubai or the broader UAE
9. Skuad
Skuad is another strong global EOR with an increasing presence in MENA. Its platform supports quick and compliant hiring, payroll, and benefits setup across emerging markets.
Key Capabilities:
- End-to-end global employment infrastructure
- Regional expertise in MENA hiring
- Digital contract generation and payroll automation
- Analytics dashboard for workforce insights
Ideal for: Growth-stage businesses entering MENA markets
10. Kinza HR
Kinza HR is a Dubai-based EOR provider focused on legal compliance and talent support. They offer HR outsourcing, payroll management, and visa services for local and foreign companies in the UAE.
Core Offerings:
- UAE labor law compliance
- Recruitment and onboarding assistance
- Benefits and payroll processing
- Talent acquisition support
Ideal for: UAE-based SMEs and startups
11. Papaya Global
Papaya is a global workforce management platform with integrated EOR services and full payroll automation. Their technology-led solution supports fast-growing companies around the world, including in MENA.
Standout Features:
- AI-driven payroll automation
- Multi-country payroll compliance engine
- Workforce analytics and dashboards
- Strong MENA coverage via local partners
Ideal for: Data-driven companies needing centralized workforce management
12. Remote People
Remote People is an emerging EOR solution provider that offers simple onboarding, payroll, and workforce compliance tools. While not yet a dominant player, they provide targeted services for small businesses entering the MENA region.
What They Offer:
- Fast onboarding and payroll processing
- Local compliance support
- Flexible pricing options
- Custom HR solutions for smaller teams
Ideal for: Early-stage startups testing new MENA markets
What to Look for when Choosing an Employer of Record
Employer burden costs can differ significantly between countries and regions. When hiring remote employees, it's critical to calculate payroll costs accurately to ensure compliance and avoid costly fines.
Look for a provider that is informed and accurate about local employer burdens and can provide precise quotes on these requirements before payments to remote workers begin.
Coverage Your EOR Should Operate in Your Target Markets
Every country has its own employment laws and regulations. Ensure the EOR has deep expertise in the local market where the new hire is based to help maintain compliance with all regulations. Working with an inexperienced partner can waste time and money, and increase the risk of noncompliance.
Responsiveness: Choose an Attentive EOR
When searching for an Employer of Record, it is important to choose one that offers transparent pricing. Hidden fees can quickly derail a global workforce budget.
Look for an EOR with straightforward pricing to stay on track financially when employing remote global talent.
Independent Third-Party Validation Look for Industry Recognition
Employer burden costs can differ significantly between countries and regions. When hiring remote employees, it's critical to calculate payroll costs accurately to ensure compliance and avoid costly fines.
Look for a provider that is informed and accurate about local employer burdens and can provide you with precise quotes on these requirements before payment begins for remote workers.
Related Reading
- Payroll and Compliance Challenges
- Payroll Outsourcing Costs
- Payroll Internal Controls Best Practices
- Employer of Record vs PEO
Benefits of Working with an Employer of Record/
An Employer of Record (EOR) will regularly engage with both existing workforce members and new talent on behalf of the company. It is important to select a partner that responds promptly to team needs.
The EOR should assign a dedicated client account manager who can answer questions, onboard new supported employees, and accommodate local time zones and languages.
Reading reviews in advance helps assess an EOR's responsiveness before finalizing a contract.
Easing Compliance and People Operations
Hiring a new employee, especially internationally, comes with plenty of compliance-related hurdles. An employer of record helps alleviate the pressure by taking on the responsibility of managing the paperwork and ensuring compliance.
This can save a company significant time and money, as an EOR can handle everything from onboarding and running payroll in local currencies to providing employee benefits.
Services vary from provider to provider, so business owners need to check that a prospective EOR offers everything required before committing.
Navigating Local Employment Laws
An employer of record doesn’t just help with compliance; they also ensure you’re meeting local regulatory requirements. With an EOR, local experts handle all aspects of employment within the bounds of local jurisdiction.
This allows a company to focus on its core operations while the EOR manages the complex, ever-changing rules of international hiring.
Enjoy Greater Flexibility in Staffing
Hiring a new employee, especially internationally, comes with numerous compliance-related hurdles. An employer of record (EOR) alleviates this burden by managing the necessary paperwork and ensuring compliance with local laws.
This arrangement can save companies significant time and money. An EOR can handle tasks such as onboarding, processing payroll in local currencies, and providing employee benefits.
Because services vary between providers, business owners should ensure that a prospective EOR offers the specific support their operations require before making a commitment.
Cut Down on Costs
Setting up a legal entity comes with substantial costs, including registration fees, legal consultation, and ongoing administrative expenses. An EOR absorbs these responsibilities at a fraction of the cost. Companies leveraging EOR services have reported a 30% reduction in HR-related administrative costs.
Paying team members in different countries can also prove to be more cost-efficient, as what’s considered a decent salary by a worker in a certain country or city could be far lower than the expectation of workers local to the operations.
Speed Up Your Expansion
An employer of record can increase a company’s flexibility when it comes to staffing. Businesses can use EOR services to hire international contractors on a temporary or project basis.
This approach is particularly beneficial for startup companies aiming to quickly and efficiently build a team with the right skills to get a project off the ground.
Build a More Diverse Workforce
Setting up a legal entity comes with substantial costs, including registration fees, legal consultation, and ongoing administrative expenses. An EOR absorbs these responsibilities at a fraction of the cost.
Companies leveraging EOR services have reported a 30% reduction in HR-related administrative costs.
Paying team members in different countries can also prove to be more cost-efficient, as what’s considered a decent salary by a worker in a certain country or city could be far lower than the expectation of workers local to your operations.
Related Reading
Book a Demo to Speak with Our Team about Our Global HR System
Expanding your workforce across borders can help your company grow and become more resilient. However, the complexities of managing a globally dispersed team can be daunting. Cercli simplifies this process for companies in the Middle East with its employer of record services. Cercli helps businesses manage their entire workforce, whether local or spread across 150+ countries, all in one platform.
Companies can run fully compliant payroll across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider MENA region, manage leave, onboard employees, track assets, and handle global contractor payments in multiple currencies with ease. Whether you’re managing 25 employees or scaling to 500+ across multiple markets, Cercli combines deep local expertise with global capabilities, giving your HR team one simple, compliant system to run operations and pay your workforce anywhere.
