Emiratisation in the UAE: Rules, Nafis and Emirati Careers
Emiratisation is the UAE's national programme to bring more Emiratis into private-sector careers. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) sets the employer targets: companies with 50 or more employees grow the Emirati share of skilled roles by one percentage point every six months, reaching 10% by the end of 2026. Nafis, run by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, supports Emirati employees with salary top-ups, family allowances and training until 2040.
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Hit both 2026 assessment dates, count the right people and use Nafis to make competitive offers.
→ How to calculate your target→ What counts as a skilled role→ The AED 10,000 contribution explainedBuilding your career
What Nafis pays, who qualifies and how to move into a strong private-sector role.
→ Nafis explained→ Who is eligible for Nafis?→ Private-sector careers for EmiratisYour first role
Graduate programmes, entry routes and where national talent programmes are open.
→ Graduate programmes for UAE nationals→ Where to search and how to apply→ Nafis for fresh graduatesEmiratisation Rules at a Glance, 2026 →
What each establishment must do, checked against official sources on 13 October 2026
| Establishment | Requirement | If missed |
|---|---|---|
| 50+ employees, any sector | +1 point of skilled roles every six months; 10% by end 2026 | AED 10,000 per position per month |
| 20 to 49 employees, 14 sectors | 2 Emiratis hired by end 2025, then retained | Annual contribution (AED 108,000 for 2025) |
| Under 20 employees | None currently | Not applicable |
| Free zone only | Outside MoHRE targets | Mainland branches assessed separately |
| Rule | Figure | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Banking (Central Bank) | 45% | Licensed banks, by end 2026 |
| Insurance (Central Bank) | 30% | Licensed insurers, by end 2026 |
| Emirati minimum salary | AED 6,000 | All private-sector Emiratis, from 1 Jan 2026 |
| Nafis salary support | Up to AED 6,000 | Salaries AED 6,000 to 20,000, from Sept 2026 |
Targets apply to skilled roles, not total headcount, and an Emirati counts only if paid at least AED 6,000. See every Emiratisation rule with sources →
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Every page sourced to MoHRE, Nafis, u.ae or the Central Bank
Regulation Tracker →
Essential Guides →
The pages to read first
Complete guideEmiratisation 2026: The Complete Guide for UAE Employers and Emirati Talent
CalculationHow to Calculate Your Emiratisation Target, With Worked Examples
NafisNafis: The UAE Programme for Emiratis in Private-Sector Jobs
CareersGraduate Programmes and Training for UAE Nationals: Verified DirectoryFor Employers: Your 2026 Target →
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The Emiratisation Hub is StrongYes's reference guide for employers and Emirati professionals in the UAE.
An independent StrongYes initiative supporting the UAE's national talent agenda. Researched, fact-checked guides on Emiratisation targets, Nafis support, salaries and Emirati careers, updated as MoHRE and Nafis decisions change. Every figure is checked against an official source where one is published, with secondary sources labelled, and every correction is logged in public.
About StrongYesHow we verifyEmiratisation FAQs
01What is Emiratisation?
Emiratisation (Tawteen in Arabic) is the UAE's national programme to increase the number of UAE nationals working in the private sector. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) sets targets for employers, and the Nafis programme supports Emirati employees with salary top-ups, family allowances and training.
Read more: What Is Emiratisation? Meaning, Rules and How It Works
02What is the Emiratisation target for 2026?
Mainland private companies with 50 or more employees must grow the Emirati share of their skilled roles by 1 percentage point every six months: one point by 30 June and a second by 31 December 2026, reaching a cumulative 10% of skilled roles for companies that met every earlier target.
Read more: Emiratisation Targets 2026: What UAE Employers Must Hit and When
03What happens if a company misses its Emiratisation target?
It pays a monthly contribution, often called the Emiratisation fine. From 1 July 2026, MoHRE collects a contribution of AED 10,000 a month for each skilled position that should have been filled by an Emirati, which is AED 120,000 a year per position.
Read more: Emiratisation Fine 2026: The AED 10,000 Monthly Contribution Explained
04Does Emiratisation apply to my company?
It applies to mainland private-sector establishments with 50 or more employees in any sector, and to those with 20 to 49 employees in 14 designated sectors. Companies registered only in a free zone sit outside MoHRE's targets.
Read more: Does Emiratisation Apply to My Company? Size and Sector Rules
05What is the minimum salary for Emiratis in the private sector?
AED 6,000 a month, from 1 January 2026. From 1 July 2026, an Emirati paid less does not count toward the employer's target.
Read more: Minimum Salary for Emiratis in the Private Sector 2026: AED 6,000
06How much does Nafis pay?
From September 2026, Nafis salary support for new beneficiaries is up to AED 6,000 a month for a bachelor's degree, up to AED 5,000 a month for a diploma and up to AED 4,000 a month for secondary school, for salaries of AED 6,000 to AED 20,000 a month. It is paid to the employee, not the employer.
Read more: Nafis Salary Support 2026: How Much It Pays by Qualification
07Do free zone companies have to meet Emiratisation targets?
Companies registered only in a free zone are outside MoHRE's targets. A mainland licence or branch is assessed on its own registered workforce, and banks and insurers licensed by the Central Bank follow the Central Bank's own targets.
08Where can Emiratis find private-sector jobs and graduate programmes?
The Nafis platform is the official channel for jobs linked to Emiratisation. Many employers also run their own national graduate programmes, which we list with links to each official page.
Read more: Private-Sector Careers for Emiratis: Where to Search and How to Apply
09How should an employer start hiring Emiratis?
Work out your gap with the Emiratisation calculator, write skilled roles paying at least AED 6,000 a month, source through the Nafis platform, graduate programmes and career fairs, and start early: a hire counts only once the work permit, contract, WPS salary and pension registration are in place.
Read more: How to Hire Emiratis: A Practical Guide for HR Teams
10Is there funding for Emirati entrepreneurs?
Yes. The Khalifa Fund runs seven loan programmes, Dubai SME offers licence and procurement support for Emirati-owned businesses, and Hub71 runs a programme for Emirati founders with the Khalifa Fund.
Read more: Funding and Support for Emirati Founders: Khalifa Fund, Dubai SME, Hub71