Emiratisation targets for private companies in 2026
MoHRE expects private companies to hire UAE nationals into skilled jobs, with targets that rise every half-year and fines for each Emirati missing. Here is who is covered, the targets, and how to plan for them.
The short answer
Companies with 50 or more employees must raise the share of Emiratis in skilled jobs by 2% a year, 1% each half-year, reaching 10% by the end of 2026. Companies with 20 to 49 employees in 14 designated sectors must employ at least one Emirati, and a second from 2025.
MoHRE charges a fine for each Emirati missing against the target: AED 108,000 a year per person for the 2025 targets, collected from January 2026, and the amount rises each year.
Who is covered
- Mainland private companies registered with MoHRE
- 50 or more employees: the percentage target applies to skilled jobs (MoHRE skill levels 1 to 5)
- 20 to 49 employees: the headcount target applies in 14 sectors, including information and communication, finance and insurance, real estate, professional and technical activities, education, health, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, transport, and hospitality
- Free zone companies are generally outside the quota, but can join Nafis programmes voluntarily
What counts as an Emirati hire
- A UAE national on a valid MoHRE work permit in a skilled job
- Registered with the pension authority, with contributions paid every month
- Paid at least the minimum wage MoHRE sets for Emiratis in the private sector (AED 6,000 a month for new, renewed and amended permits from 1 January 2026)
- Real, full-time work: MoHRE checks for fake Emiratisation and fines it heavily
Deadlines
Targets are checked twice a year, on 30 June and 31 December. Count your skilled headcount early in each half-year: hiring, onboarding and permit processing take longer than most companies expect.
How to plan for it
- Work out your target number now from the skilled headcount
- Use Nafis for candidates and wage support
- Budget the full cost: salary, pension contributions and training
- Keep HR records that show the permit, pension registration and payroll for each hire
- Treat it as hiring, not compliance: give Emirati hires real roles and a development plan
Sources
- Gulf News: firms face Dh108,000 fine for every Emirati they don’t hire under 2025 targets
- Middle East Briefing: UAE Emiratisation 2026, what companies must do now
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
Rules change. Check the official text, or ask your accountant or lawyer, before you rely on a figure.
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