DUBAI — It’s official: the financial baseline for hiring UAE nationals has shifted again. As of January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has raised the minimum salary requirement for Emiratis in the private sector to Dh6,000 per month.
The announcement dropped via the ministry’s digital channels this week, and if you’ve been tracking the government’s Emiratisation drive recently, this probably doesn’t come as a huge surprise. It’s the latest move in a long-term strategy to make the private sector genuinely competitive for local talent. Effective immediately, any new work permit, renewal, or contract amendment for an Emirati needs to reflect this wage—a step up from the Dh5,000 threshold businesses were adjusting to just last year.
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The New Minimum Salary Rule for Emiratis Explained
So, what does this actually look like on the ground? Essentially, the system has been hard-coded to enforce this. Private companies simply won’t be able to process a two-year work permit for a UAE national if the salary entered is anything less than Dh6,000. MoHRE’s smart systems are designed to automatically flag and block applications that try to bypass this, meaning there’s no workaround for HR departments.
It does not apply to:
- Federal or local government roles
- Semi-government entities with separate pay systems
- Freelancers or short-term arrangements outside labour contracts
Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, the Under-Secretary for Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations, was keen to point out that this isn’t a random jump. He framed it as part of a “deliberate, gradual roadmap.” As he noted, we’ve seen the floor rise from Dh4,000 to Dh5,000, and now to Dh6,000. The logic here is pretty sound: these incremental hikes help wages keep up with market realities without shocking businesses with a massive, sudden increase.
Grace Period and Critical Deadlines
While the rule is technically “immediate” for new hires, the ministry knows you can’t turn a massive ship around overnight. There is a “correction window” for your current team. Businesses have been given until June 30, 2026, to review and adjust the contracts of existing Emirati staff who might be earning below the new mark.
If you are managing payroll or HR, circle these dates:
- January 1, 2026: The Dh6,000 rule kicks in for all new paperwork (permits and renewals).
- June 30, 2026: The hard deadline to fix existing contracts.
- July 1, 2026: The grace period ends, and enforcement (and penalties) begin.
Six-Month Adjustment Period Explained
Employers have been given a six-month adjustment window from the date of official notification to implement the new salary floor.
During this period, companies are expected to:
- Review existing Emirati contracts
- Update payroll and HR policies
- Formalise salary increases where required
Once the deadline passes, non-compliance with the Minimum wage Emirati private sector rule could trigger administrative penalties, labour system restrictions, or Emiratisation-related consequences. Enforcement, authorities say, will be phased—guidance first, action later.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Ignoring this isn’t just about risking a fine; it creates a genuine operational headache. Come July 1, 2026, if you haven’t bumped an employee’s salary up to the Dh6,000 benchmark, the system will stop counting that employee toward your Emiratisation quotas. Effectively, they become invisible to your Nafis targets, which could result in downgrades to your company classification.
On top of that, MoHRE is prepared to use administrative blocks. Establishments that don’t comply will find themselves unable to issue any new work permits until they fix the salary discrepancies. It’s worth checking your MoHRE app, as automated notifications are already going out to keep employers in the loop.
A Boost for Job Stability
At the end of the day, this is seen as a major win for job security among nationals. By establishing a clearer, more livable salary floor, the government is narrowing the gap between public and private sector appeal. For business owners and managers, the takeaway is straightforward: compliance is about more than ticking boxes. It’s about being an active participant in the UAE’s economic evolution—and ensuring your business runs without a hitch in the process.
