Quick Answer
Emiratisation is the UAE government policy of progressively raising the share of UAE-national employees at private-sector companies. Companies with 50+ employees must reach 10% Emirati skilled workforce by December 2026 or face AED 9,000 monthly fines per missing role.
MOHRE introduced Emiratisation targets in 2022 with a phased rollout: 2% Emirati skilled workforce by end-2022, then +1% every six months, reaching 10% by December 2026. The targets apply to companies with 50 or more skilled employees, and as of 2024 they were extended to companies with 20–49 employees in some categories.
An 'Emirati skilled employee' is a UAE national in a job classified as one of MOHRE's 9 skill categories (managers, professionals, technicians, etc.). To count, the employee must be on a registered employment contract, paid through WPS, and earning at least AED 4,000 in salary.
The Nafis programme funds salary subsidies, training stipends, and pension contributions to make hiring Emiratis financially attractive. Companies that miss targets pay AED 9,000/month per missing role; persistent violators get blacklisted from MOHRE services.
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