Emiratisation targets require many UAE private-sector companies to employ a growing share of UAE nationals. Companies with 50 or more employees must raise the share of Emiratis in skilled roles by 2% each year, and some companies with 20 to 49 employees must hire a set number of Emiratis. The rules are set and enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules and figures are updated regularly, so always confirm your company's position with MOHRE or a qualified adviser.
Companies with 50 or more employees
Under the UAE Cabinet's Emiratisation policy, private companies with 50 or more employees must increase the share of Emiratis in skilled jobs by 2% every year. According to the UAE government portal, the aim is an overall increase of 10% by the end of 2026.
The yearly target is split into two halves. Since 2023, MOHRE has asked companies to reach half of the annual increase by the end of June and the rest by the end of the year.
Companies with 20 to 49 employees
Smaller companies are not exempt. A Cabinet resolution extended Emiratisation to companies with 20 to 49 employees working in 14 specified economic sectors. MOHRE announced that these companies must hire at least one Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025, and keep them employed.
The 14 sectors include several of the UAE's largest employers, such as real estate, construction, hospitality and retail. Check MOHRE's list to see whether your company's licensed activity is included.
What happens if a company misses its target
Companies that do not meet their targets must pay a financial contribution for each Emirati they should have hired. The amount has increased year by year, so check the current figure with MOHRE rather than relying on older articles.
MOHRE also checks that Emirati hires are genuine. Fake or "paper" Emiratisation, where a company registers a UAE national without giving them a real job, is treated as a serious violation.
What counts as a valid Emirati hire
Requirements can change, so confirm the details with MOHRE. In general, a hire counts when the Emirati:
- works in a real, skilled role
- is registered with the relevant pension authority
- is paid through the Wage Protection System
- has a contract registered with MOHRE
How to hire Emirati talent well
Meeting a target is only the start. The aim is hires who stay and grow with your company. In our experience, that comes down to a few things:
- Choose roles with a future. Offer positions with clear responsibilities and room to progress, not roles created only to meet a number.
- Be clear about salary and benefits. Agree a competitive package early to avoid losing good candidates late in the process.
- Plan onboarding. A structured first 90 days, with a named manager and clear goals, makes it much more likely the hire will stay.
- Start early. Targets fall due in June and December. Hiring at the last minute leaves little time to find the right person.
The government's Nafis programme also offers support for Emiratis working in the private sector and for the companies that employ them. Check the Nafis website for the current schemes.
How NextGen HR can help
NextGen HR Consultancy is a licensed recruitment agency in Dubai. We help UAE private-sector companies find and hire Emirati talent for real, long-term roles, and we can help you plan roles and onboarding so new hires settle in well.
See our Emiratisation recruitment service or send us your brief.