UAE Private Sector Faces Revised Nafis Rules with AED 6,000 Wage Floor
Starting September 2026, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) is introducing a revised Nafis framework that establishes an AED 6,000 minimum monthly salary threshold for eligibility and shifts statutory pension liabilities directly to private-sector employers.
For existing recipients, the transition won’t happen overnight. Current beneficiaries under the private-sector Emirati Salary Support Scheme will move across to the updated structure gradually over a period of up to three years.
Who the Revised Framework Impacts
The policy shift changes specific financial and operational requirements for both businesses and UAE nationals across four main groups.
- Private-Sector Employers: Companies operating in the UAE must take full responsibility for paying their statutory share of pension contributions for Emirati employees.
- Emirati Employees: Workers must earn a monthly baseline salary of at least AED 6,000 to qualify for government salary support. Actual monthly payouts will range between AED 3,000 for unmarried employees without dependants and AED 6,000 for degree holders.
- Working Parents: The Child Allowance Scheme eliminates the previous cap on the number of eligible children, delivering AED 600 per month for each child.
- Children of Emirati Mothers: A dedicated support tier provides up to AED 3,000 per month for applicants holding an accredited bachelor’s degree who earn between AED 6,000 and AED 20,000 monthly.
Operational Adjustments and Tiered Allowance Structure
Businesses setting up payroll for September must ensure their Emirati staff meet the updated salary floor while incorporating full employer pension obligations into their headcount costs. The overall Nafis initiative, which has been extended out to 2040, currently covers roughly 152,000 active beneficiaries across more than 32,000 establishments.
Women make up 74 percent of current beneficiaries, and over 14,000 Emiratis working in free zones fall under the scheme’s umbrella. Adjusting contract terms now helps avoid administrative misalignments during the rollout.
| Category | Revised Threshold & Support Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Eligibility Salary Floor | AED 6,000 per month |
| Maximum Monthly Support (Unmarried, No Dependants) | AED 3,000 per month |
| Maximum Monthly Support (Bachelor’s Degree Holders) | AED 6,000 per month |
| Child Allowance Scheme | AED 600 per month per child (uncapped) |
| Children of Emirati Mothers Support Tier | Up to AED 3,000 per month (Requires accredited degree & AED 6,000, 20,000 salary) |
