Emiratisation targets in the private sector
Nafis
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, ‘Nafis’, implements national initiatives aimed at supporting Emiratis in the private sector, enhancing their global competitiveness, and supplying the sector with Emirati talent. This is achieved through the combined efforts of federal and local government entities, along with private sector partners to increase the Emiratisation rates.
The Nafis programme aims to employ 75,000 Emiratis in the private sector over the next five years, while offering several initiatives to empower Emirati talent and incentivise private establishments to attract and retain them.
Emiratisation quotas
(Companies with 50 or more workers)
The UAE Cabinet has approved a decision to raise Emiratisation rates to 2 per cent annually for skilled jobs in private sector establishments with 50 or more employees, to achieve an overall rate of increase by 10 per cent by 2026. This is accompanied by granting incentives to establishments that perform qualitatively in the training and employment of citizens, achieving the goals of Nafis.
To support the commitment to achieve the above employment targets, since 2023, non-compliant companies have been required to pay an amount of AED 6,000 monthly for every citizen not employed according to the required target. These contributions increase by AED 1,000 annually until 2026. To monitor the implementation of these decisions in the labour market, MoHRE is working with the Cabinet Secretariat to measure the indicator of Emiratisation in the private sector.
Expansion of the Emiratisation targets
(Companies with 20 to 49 workers)
Since 2024, private sector companies with a workforce of 20 to 49 workers were required to hire at least one UAE citizen by end of 2024. Additionally, they are required to hire one more Emirati by end of 2025.
This requirement is applicable to companies operating in the following 14 sectors:
- information and communications
- financial and insurance activities
- real estate activities
- professional, scientific and technical activities
- administrative and support services
- education
- healthcare and social work activities
- arts and entertainment
- mining and quarrying industry
- manufacturing
- construction
- wholesale and retail trade
- transportation and warehousing
- hospitality services
Non-compliant establishments will face annual financial contributions as follows:
- AED 96,000 in January 2025 for failing to hire one Emirati in 2024
- AED 108,000 in January 2026 for failing to hire two Emiratis in 2025.
Read Ministerial Resolution No. 455 of 2023 Concerning the Process for Implementing the Emiratisation Targets for Private Sector Establishments That Employ Between 20 and 49 Employees in Selected Economic Activities (PDF, 169 KB), for more details on Emiratisation targets for private sector establishments with 20 to 49 workers.
Find more ministerial resolutions related to Emiratisation in the private sector:
- Ministerial Resolution No. 438 of 2024 on the Reorganization of the Emiratisation Partners Club (PDF, 500 KB)
- Ministerial Resolution No. 663 of 2022 Regarding Compliance with Emiratisation Regulations in the Private Sector (PDF, 643 KB)
- Ministerial Resolution No. 279 of 2022 Monitoring Mechanisms of Emiratisation Rates in the Private Sector & Contributions Imposed on Non-Complaint Establishments (PDF, 450 KB).
The Nafis award
The Nafis award is given to private sector establishments that excel in hiring UAE nationals. It also honours talented Emiratis in the private sector, who prove to be an effective force in various economic sectors. Read more about the Nafis award and the steps to apply.
The ‘Industrialists Programme’
Read about the ‘Industrialists Programme’ and its objective to build local capacities and accelerate Emiratisation in the industrial sector.
Teaching Specialists’ Programme
The ‘Teaching Specialists’ Programme’ aims to support and upskill UAE nationals in the private education sector by offering them training, specialised qualifications and accredited professional licences.
Under the programme, 1,000 Emiratis will be hired annually in the education sector from 2024, to reach 4,000 Emiratis by 2027.
Compliance with the Emiratisation regulations
Following are some of the obligations set by Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to ensure compliance with the Emiratisation mandate and to avoid fraudulent Emiratisation practices. Rules for advertising Emiratisation jobs When advertising Emiratisation vacancies, companies must avoid: Employer obligations when hiring Emiratis When hiring Emiratis, employers must enable them to perform their duties by providing a suitable workplace and the necessary tools, along with the minimum required training, qualification, and empowerment to carry out the job. In addition, the employer is obliged to: Upon termination of the employment contract, the employer must cancel the Emirati employee’s work permit immediately. Employers must not: Obligations of Emiratis employed in the private sector When joining the private sector, Emiratis are required to comply with: Emiratis are required to inform MoHRE about practices that violate the provisions of Emiratisation resolutions.
Source: Ministerial Resolution No. 663 of 2022 Regarding Compliance with Emiratisation Regulations in the Private Sector (PDF, 634 KB) for more information.
Violations of Emiratisation targets and Nafis’ objectives
Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 Regarding Penalties and Violations Relating to the Emirati Cadres Competitiveness Council Initiatives and Programs (PDF, 491 KB) sets out the list of violations and administrative penalties associated with negative practices and breaches of the objectives of the Nafis programme and Emiratisation targets.
The penalties vary according to the nature of the violation committed by the establishment.
Violations include:
- Fake Emiratisation and fraudulent practices aimed at obtaining Nafis benefits or circumventing Emiratisation targets
- Failure of the employee to join work after a work permit has been issued and the establishment continues to get support from Nafis
- Irregular attendance of the beneficiary at the workplace after joining, or absence from work without the establishment notifying Nafis
- Discontinuation of training or study programmes by the beneficiary for reasons not accepted by the Council
- Failure of the establishment to report any changes affecting eligibility for Nafis benefits without an acceptable justification to the Council..
Additionally, Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2023 Regarding Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 on Penalties and Violations Relating to the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council Initiatives and Programs (PDF, 82 KB) introduces further administrative penalties against establishments found to have circumvented Emiratisation targets by reducing their workforce, reclassifying employees, or using other deceptive means to avoid compliance.
Read also the provisions of the Ministerial Resolution No. 296 of 2023 Establishing Criteria for Imposing Administrative Fines in Accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 on Violations and Administrative Penalties Related to the Initiatives and Programs of UAE Cadres' Competitiveness Council (PDF, 184 KB).
Retirement of Emiratis working in the private sector
According to Federal Decree-Law No. 7 of 1999 for Pensions and Social Security and its amendments, a contribution equal to 20 per cent of the employee’s salary must be made to GPSSA on a monthly basis. While the employee must contribute 5 per cent of his/her salary, the employer must contribute 12.5 per cent of the employee’s salary, and the government must contribute 2.5 per cent.
*Text provided by MoHRE
Updated On :
02 Sep 2025
