Understanding Emiratization & Nafis Mandates
Regulated under Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 and MoHRE Ministerial Decisions, private sector employers with 20 or more staff must achieve a 2% annual increase in skilled Emirati employees across commercial, technical, and administrative roles.
Employers looking to establish foreign entities can review our Mainland vs Free Zone Setup Guide and Corporate Tax Compliance Guide.
Calculate Emiratization Quota
Requires Hiring 1 Emirati Employee(s)
Your firm is required to employ at least 1 Emirati staff. Unhired quota results in MoHRE fines of AED 8,000/month (AED 96,000/year) per deficit position.
Estimated Annual MoHRE Non-Compliance Fine: AED 96,000 / year
Emiratization Mandate Summary
| Target Growth: | 2% Skilled Emiratis / Year |
| Target Threshold: | Companies with 20+ Staff |
| Non-Compliance Fine: | AED 8,000 / mo (AED 96k/yr) |
Interlinked UAE Compliance Portals
Frequently Asked Questions (Emiratization & Nafis)
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 and MoHRE directives, private sector companies with 20 or more employees must increase their skilled Emirati workforce by 2% annually, reaching a total of 10% by 2026.
Companies that fail to achieve their designated Emiratization target face a financial penalty of AED 8,000 per month (AED 96,000 per year) for each un-hired Emirati position.
Small businesses with 19 or fewer employees are exempt from mandatory 2% Emiratization quotas.
Nafis is a UAE government initiative offering salary subsidies, healthcare allowances, and training programs to support Emirati citizens working in the private sector.
MoHRE & Nafis VerifiedOfficial Emiratization Source
• Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE Nafis Portal): mohre.gov.ae
• Nafis Emirati Talent Portal: nafis.gov.ae