UAE firms with 50+ staff urged to meet 31 December Emiratisation target
Private companies with 50 or more employees must hit their 2026 Emiratisation target by 31 December. The ministry says use Nafis, offer genuine jobs and follow wage rules.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Private sector companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have been told to meet their 2026 Emiratisation targets by 31 December, according to Gulf News, citing the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. For employers, that means a faster hiring push before year-end, and for Emirati job seekers it could mean more vacancies and more direct outreach through Nafis.
The ministry said firms in scope need a further 1 per cent increase in Emiratisation in skilled roles during the second half of 2026. That builds on the first-half requirement, bringing the total annual increase to 2 per cent.
What the 2026 Emiratisation target means for UAE employers
The message from the ministry is simple: if your company has 50 or more employees, year-end planning now needs to include skilled hiring, payroll compliance and proper staff registration.
According to Gulf News, the ministry has urged employers to speed up recruitment and use Nafis to find Emirati candidates with different qualifications and experience levels. That includes recent graduates and experienced specialists.
For HR teams, this is not only about filling a vacancy. The ministry said companies must provide genuine jobs, register Emirati employees with the relevant pension, retirement and social insurance systems, and pay wages through approved procedures.
That last point matters for all workers, because wage compliance is part of the wider labour picture. If you are dealing with delayed pay, our guide on UAE Salary Paid Late Every Month? What Employees Can Do explains the practical steps.
How Nafis fits into the 31 December Emiratisation deadline
The ministry encouraged employers to advertise vacancies on Nafis and use its tools to contact candidates directly. The aim is to help companies reach their target faster while supporting longer-term careers for Emiratis in the private sector.
The ministry also highlighted that Nafis continues to be developed and has been extended until 2040. That matters for job seekers as well as employers, because it shows the platform is meant to remain a long-term route into private sector work.
For Emirati candidates, this could mean more activity on the platform in the weeks before 31 December. If your profile, CV and skills are clear, employers may find it easier to match you to suitable roles. If you are looking beyond Nafis too, you can browse wider openings on JobXDubai Jobs.
If you are weighing up courses or career moves to improve your match for skilled roles, our guide on Stop Chasing Every Skill Trend: How UAE Professionals Should Pick Courses may help.
What workers and job seekers should watch out for
The ministry specifically warned against fictitious jobs. It urged Emiratis to reject any role that is not a real job and to report any practice that breaches Emiratisation policies.
Reports can be made by calling 600590000, or through the ministry's website and mobile app. That is a useful reminder for job seekers: if an offer looks like it exists only on paper, or if the employment setup does not follow normal procedures, report it.
For employers, the warning is equally clear. Meeting a target is not enough if the hiring is not genuine or if registration and wage rules are ignored.
Practical steps before 31 December
If your company is covered by the rules, these are the immediate checks to make:
- Confirm whether you have 50 or more employees.
- Review progress against the second half of 2026 target.
- Make sure skilled vacancies are live on Nafis.
- Use Nafis tools to contact suitable Emirati candidates directly.
- Check that any Emirati hires are registered with the right pension, retirement and social insurance systems.
- Ensure wages are paid through approved procedures.
If you are an Emirati job seeker, these are the main points from the ministry's message:
- Expect more hiring activity before 31 December.
- Watch for direct approaches through Nafis.
- Reject any fictitious job offer.
- Report suspected breaches on 600590000, or through the ministry website or app.
Key takeaway
The 2026 Emiratisation targets are now a year-end deadline issue for private firms with 50 or more employees. For employers, the focus is faster hiring through Nafis and full compliance on genuine jobs, registration and wages.
For Emirati job seekers, the weeks before 31 December may bring more private sector openings, but the ministry has also made clear that fake roles should be rejected and reported.
FAQ
Which UAE companies must meet the 31 December Emiratisation deadline?
According to Gulf News, the reminder applies to private sector companies with 50 or more employees. Those firms must meet their 2026 Emiratisation target by 31 December.
What is the 2026 Emiratisation target for skilled roles?
The ministry said firms covered by the rules need a further 1 per cent increase in Emiratisation in skilled roles in the second half of 2026. That brings the total annual increase to 2 per cent.
How can employers use Nafis for Emiratisation hiring?
The ministry encouraged employers to post vacancies on Nafis and use the platform's tools to contact candidates directly. It said the platform includes Emirati candidates across different disciplines, qualifications and experience levels.
What counts as compliance besides hiring?
The ministry said companies must offer genuine jobs, register Emirati employees with the relevant pension, retirement and social insurance systems, and pay wages in line with approved procedures. So compliance is about the employment setup, not just the headcount.
How can Emiratis report fictitious jobs?
The ministry urged Emiratis to reject fictitious jobs and report breaches of Emiratisation policies. Reports can be made by calling 600590000, or through the ministry's website and mobile app.
Further reading
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