Guide · UAE
Emiratisation requires UAE private companies to employ a minimum share of UAE nationals: +2% a year for companies of 50 or more, reaching 10% at the end of 2026, and at least one national for companies of 20–49 in 14 sectors. Here is who it applies to, what a missed target costs, and how it affects hiring expatriate workers.
Who must comply
Emiratisation applies to private-sector companies registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). It sets a minimum share of UAE nationals — it does not cap foreign workers.
| Company | Requirement | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| 50 or more employees | +2% UAE nationals in skilled roles each year (1% per half-year); 10% cumulative by the end of 2026 | 30 June and 31 December |
| 20–49 employees in 14 designated sectors | At least one UAE national (from 2024); a second hire expected for 2025 according to several sources | Ministerial Resolution 455 of 2023 |
| Free-zone entities not registered with MOHRE | Generally outside the MOHRE targets — check with your free-zone authority | — |
Fines
| Breach | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UAE national not hired against the 2025 target | AED 108,000 per position | Collected from January 2026, as reported in December 2025 |
| Fake Emiratisation (paper hires, salary returned) | AED 20,000–100,000 per case | Legal basis cited differently across sources |
The fine is counted per missing UAE national, so for a company of 200 skilled staff the cost of falling behind grows quickly. MOHRE also takes compliance into account when processing new work permits.
2027
The 2% a year schedule runs to the 10% target at the end of 2026.
As of October 2026, MOHRE had not published targets for 2027 in the sources we reviewed. Plan on the assumption that the 10% level must be held, and watch for the 2027 announcement; we will update this page when it appears.
Expatriate hiring
Targets are counted on skilled roles, so hiring welders or labourers from abroad does not dilute your percentage.
A company behind on its targets can face scrutiny when applying for new work permits. We check both before planning an intake.
A realistic plan sets the skilled Emirati hires and the expatriate intake on one timeline, so neither blocks the other.
FAQ
A UAE government policy requiring private-sector companies registered with MOHRE to employ a minimum, growing share of UAE nationals in skilled roles, with fines for missed targets.
For companies with 50 or more employees, 10% UAE nationals in skilled roles by 31 December 2026, reached through +1% each half-year. Companies of 20–49 in 14 designated sectors must employ at least one UAE national.
AED 108,000 for each UAE national not hired against the 2025 target, collected from January 2026 as reported in December 2025. Check MOHRE for current amounts.
Not published as of October 2026 in the sources we reviewed. We will update this guide when MOHRE announces them.
No. It sets a minimum share of nationals rather than a cap on foreigners. Blue-collar expatriate hires are outside the skilled-role target base, but compliance matters when MOHRE processes new permits.
Emiratisation is the UAE government programme that requires private companies to employ a growing share of UAE nationals. Its current form, linked to the Nafis programme, sets annual targets for companies with 50 or more employees and a minimum headcount rule for smaller companies in selected sectors. Unlike Russia’s permitted share of foreign workers, it does not limit how many expatriates you employ; it sets how many nationals you must.
For employers who rely on expatriate crews, the practical question is sequencing: skilled Emirati hires to meet the target, expatriate workers to run the site. We recruit the expatriate side — sourcing and screening in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Uzbekistan — and check your Emiratisation position first. See manpower supply for companies in Dubai and the UAE.
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