Quick Answer
Nafis is the UAE federal programme that supports Emiratisation by paying salary subsidies, training stipends, and pension contributions to private-sector employers who hire UAE nationals.
Nafis (Arabic for 'compete') is the brand of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, the federal body coordinating Emiratisation incentives. It runs alongside MOHRE's compliance side: MOHRE enforces quotas, Nafis pays for them.
The biggest Nafis incentive is a salary subsidy that can reach AED 5,000–8,000 per month per Emirati employee for the first five years, depending on the employee's age, role, and education level. Nafis also covers child-allowance top-ups and the employer's pension contribution.
To claim Nafis, the employer must be registered on the Nafis portal, the employee must be a UAE national on a registered contract paid through WPS, and the role must be classified as one of MOHRE's skilled categories. ZETUP PRO assists clients with Nafis registration and monthly subsidy claims.
Need actual help, not just a definition?
Book a free 30-minute PRO Health Check and we'll walk you through what this actually means for your company.
Book a Free PRO Health Check