Private companies with 50 or more employees must raise the share of nationals in skilled jobs by 2% a year, reaching 10% in 2026. Companies with 20 to 49 employees in 14 economic activities had to hire at least one national in 2024 and another in 2025.
Step by step
- 1
Identify your company's category
Companies with 50 or more employees follow the 2% annual target in skilled jobs under Ministerial Resolution No. 279 of 2022, and companies with 20 to 49 employees in the listed activities follow Ministerial Resolution No. 455 of 2023.
- 2
Work out the target
2% is added each year to the share of nationals in skilled jobs until the total increase reaches 10% in 2026.
- 3
Activities covered
They include information and communications, finance and insurance, real estate, education, health, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, transport and storage, and hospitality.
- 4
Obligations when hiring a national
A work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, a contract under its rules, a salary paid through WPS of at least AED 6,000 a month since 1 January 2026, and registration in the pension system.
- 5
Contributions for non-compliance
A company with 50 or more employees pays a monthly contribution for each national not hired as targeted, which started at AED 6,000 in 2023 and rises every year. Companies with 20 to 49 employees pay an annual contribution of AED 96,000 for 2024 and AED 108,000 for 2025.
Sham Emiratisation, meaning registering nationals in jobs that do not exist to meet the target, is a violation fined under Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2025.
- 2% annual emiratisation target for companies with 50 employees
- emiratisation for companies with 20 to 49 employees