Does Emiratisation Apply to My Company? Applicability Checker
Enter your total employees, your licence type and your sector. The checker shows which Emiratisation framework applies: MoHRE's skilled-role target (50+ employees), the fixed hiring rule (20 to 49 employees in 14 sectors), Central Bank targets for licensed financial firms, or none.
An estimate from the rules we track, not legal advice. Your trade licence activity and MoHRE establishment record decide your position.
The rules behind the checker
| Your situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Mainland, 50+ employees | MoHRE skilled-role target, any sector |
| Mainland, 20 to 49, in one of 14 sectors | Two Emiratis, then retention |
| Mainland, 20 to 49, other sectors | Nothing currently |
| Mainland, under 20 | Nothing currently |
| Free zone, DIFC or ADGM only | Outside MoHRE targets |
| Free zone plus mainland | Mainland entity assessed on its own headcount |
| Central Bank-licensed | Central Bank targets, in addition |
Frequently asked questions
01Does Emiratisation apply to a company with 30 employees?
Only if its trade licence falls in one of the 14 designated sectors. Then it must employ two Emiratis and retain them.
02Does Emiratisation apply to a free zone company?
Not MoHRE's targets, unless it also holds a mainland licence, which is assessed on its own workforce.
Sources
- Ministerial Resolution No. 455 of 2023, establishments with 20 to 49 employees. MoHRE.
- CBUAE Emiratisation targets. Central Bank of the UAE, 22 April 2026.
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.