This article explains how clients can create a Fixed Rate Contract for independent contractors in a few simple steps.

You can also create Milestone or Pay As You Go contracts for contractors.

If you are importing a large number of contractors onto Deel, you can use our Mass Import tool to add workers in bulk. (See “Using Mass Import” later in this guide.)

Creating a Fixed-Rate Contract

Each step of the contract-creation process is autosaved, so you can exit at any time and continue later from People ▸ Draft contracts on your homepage.

✅ Step 1 – Open the Add-People flow

1. From the Deel dashboard, click the People tab in the top navigation bar.
2. On the People page, click Add people in the upper-right corner.

✅ Step 2 – Choose the worker type

1. Select Contractor.
2. If you need to add workers in bulk, scroll to Try our other tools and click Mass import instead. (Full workflow in the “Using Mass Import” section.)

✅ Step 3 – Select Fixed rate as the contract type

A fixed-rate contract pays a predetermined base amount each pay cycle.

✅ Step 4 – Enter contract details

The Add person form will open.

1. Team information – choose Group and Entity.
2. Contractor personal details – legal name, email, contract name, tax residence, and citizenship.
3. (Optional) Assign an Organization Structure or Worker relations if your org uses them.
4. Scope of work – select an existing scope or generate a new one with Deel AI.
5. Click Continue/Next.

✅ Step 5 – Define payment rate & invoice settings

1. Choose Currency and Payment frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
2. Pick invoice-cycle end dates and due dates.
3. Add Variable compensation (flat amount or %) if required. Remember to add it to payroll manually when it’s due.
4. Toggle Customize invoice settings → Pay ahead of weekend if you want invoices due on weekends/bank holidays to be paid on the preceding Friday.

✅ Step 6 – Add the first-payment date

1. Select the contractor’s first payment date.
2. Choose how the amount is calculated: Full amount, Custom amount, or Calculated amount (working vs calendar days).

You may also set a termination date or a notice period for the contract.

✅ Step 7 – Compliance documents

Select Deel’s standard agreement, a saved custom template, or upload your own agreement. For building templates, see Creating a Custom Employee Agreement Template.

✅ Step 8 – Benefits & extras

Add equipment, health insurance, co-working space, equity, background checks, etc. Click Continue when finished.

✅ Step 9 – Review & sign

1. Review the contract and click Review and sign.
2. Invite the contractor to sign, choose signing order, or copy the link.
3. (Optional) Enable Deel COR for additional misclassification protection.

The contract activates only after all required signers have signed.

Using Mass Import (bulk upload)

Use Mass Import when you need to add many workers at once.

1. Dashboard ▸ People ▸ Add people.
2. Scroll to Try our other tools and click Mass import.

1. You’ll land on the Import people page with an 8-step checklist. Select Contract type (Contractor, EOR, Direct employee, etc.) and follow the on-screen steps to upload your spreadsheet.

Troubleshooting tips: • Can’t see Mass Import – confirm you have People-management permissions. • Missing “Contractor” contract type – check with your Deel admin.

Enabling Contract Approvals

Require internal approval before any new contract can be signed.

1. Dashboard – click the gear icon to open Organization settings.
2. In the left sidebar, expand Human Resources ▸ Settings and select Contract.
3. Go to the Signatures and approvals tab.
4. Under Approvals for contract creation, toggle Require approval before signing or accepting.

All newly created contracts will now follow your approval workflow.

Requiring Multiple Signatures

Enterprise clients can mandate more than one signer (up to 5) on each contract.

Turn the feature on globally

1. Organization settings ▸ Human Resources ▸ Settings ▸ Contract.
2. Signatures and approvals tab.
3. Toggle Creating or editing a contract needs multiple people to sign.

You can apply the rule to All contracts or allow teams to decide per contract.

How it works in a contract

• Signers are invited sequentially (Signer 1 → Signer 2, etc.).
• Admins can edit or re-order any signer that hasn’t signed yet.
• The final PDF and task list show every signer.
• If set to mandatory, the contract cannot activate until everyone has signed.

Enable Pay Ahead of the Weekend (invoice setting)

In Step 5 – Payment rate & invoice settings, toggle Pay ahead of weekend so invoices due on weekends/holidays are processed the preceding Friday. For details, see How to Pay Your Contractor Before the Weekend.