Emiratisation Fact Check: The Correct 2026 Figures
Emiratisation moves quickly, so several figures online pre-date the 2026 updates or mix two different rules. The ones to update: quoting AED 9,000 or AED 108,000 for the contribution (it is AED 10,000 a month from July 2026), AED 7,000 for Nafis bachelor's support (AED 6,000 from September 2026), and treating AED 4,000 as the counting test (it is AED 6,000).
What you will read, and what the source says
| # | What you will read | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The contribution is AED 9,000 a month or AED 108,000 a year | AED 10,000 a month (AED 120,000 a year) from 1 July 2026 (MoHRE) |
| 2 | Nafis pays up to AED 7,000 or AED 8,000 for a bachelor's degree | Up to AED 6,000 for new beneficiaries from September 2026 (ETCC) |
| 3 | An Emirati on AED 4,000 counts toward the target | AED 4,000 is the skilled-role test; an Emirati must earn AED 6,000 to count |
| 4 | Companies must reach a flat 10% of all staff | Growth of 2 points a year in skilled roles; 10% of skilled roles by end 2026 |
| 5 | Free zones are exempt | Outside MoHRE's scope; mainland licences and Central Bank firms are covered |
| 6 | Nafis reduces the employer's salary cost | Nafis pays the employee, not the employer |
| 7 | The 20 to 49 rule comes from "Cabinet Resolution 44 of 2024" | It is Ministerial Resolution No. 455 of 2023; Cabinet Resolution 44 of 2023 covers circumvention |
| 8 | The fake Emiratisation penalty is AED 500,000 | Three tracks: per worker, per establishment (up to AED 500,000) and criminal (up to AED 1 million) |
| 9 | Part-time Emiratis count as half an employee | No MoHRE publication confirms this |
| 10 | Skilled roles at levels 4 and 5 need only a secondary certificate | The u.ae definition requires a certificate higher than secondary, attested |
What has not been officially answered
These remain open. We show where the published guidance stops rather than fill the gap.
- Whether the AED 6,000 minimum is tested on basic or total salary.
- How part-time employees and employees on probation are counted.
- The required rate for a company that missed earlier targets: growth on its own rate or the cumulative path.
- How MoHRE rounds the required number of Emiratis.
- The 2026 annual contribution for companies with 20 to 49 employees.
- The target schedule for 2027 onward.
- The detailed post-September 2026 pension transition for Nafis-enrolled employees.
Corrections
If you have an official reference for anything above, write to partner@strongyes.co. Corrections are dated in the change log.
Sources
- MoHRE: 2026 targets and contributions. WAM via Zawya, 2026.
- Professional levels of jobs in the UAE. UAE Government portal.
- MoHRE: circumvention penalties. MoHRE, 4 May 2023.
This page explains UAE Emiratisation rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MoHRE, Nafis or Central Bank source linked above before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MoHRE, Nafis, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council or any UAE government body. Full disclaimer.