UAE Extends Emirati Employment Programme Nafis to 2040

The Nafis Programme has been extended to 2040, introducing new family support measures and artificial intelligence tools as efforts continue to expand Emirati participation in the private sector.
Authorities reported that around 176,000 Emiratis have been employed through the programme to date, including approximately 152,000 working in private sector roles.
Launched in September 2021 with an allocation of AED 24 billion, Nafis initially aimed to integrate 75,000 Emiratis into private sector jobs by 2025 through salary support and pension subsidies. The programme also introduced hiring targets for companies, requiring firms with 50 or more employees to increase their Emirati workforce by 2% annually toward a 10% threshold by 2026. The scope was later expanded to include smaller companies, with firms employing between 20 and 49 workers required to hire at least one Emirati or face financial penalties.
The extension introduces updated family-focused measures, including the removal of the cap on the Child Allowance Scheme and new salary support provisions for the children of Emirati mothers and the spouses of Emirati citizens working in the private sector. Under the “Nafis 2026” framework, the programme will also incorporate AI-driven tools aimed at improving job quality and identifying talent, including a platform designed to support the development of high-potential candidates.
Enforcement measures have also intensified, with fines exceeding AED 34 million issued to more than 1,300 companies for violations related to fake Emiratisation, alongside additional penalties including permit suspensions.
Women account for 74% of programme beneficiaries, while 58% of Emirati graduates now prefer private sector careers, up from 15% before the programme’s launch.