Emirati Minimum Wage In UAE Private Sector Rises To AED 6,000 From January 2026

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has set a new minimum wage of AED6,000 per month for Emiratis working in the UAE private sector. The change takes effect on 1st January 2026 and will apply to all new citizen hires, as well as to renewed and amended work permits from that date.

Private companies that already employ Emiratis receive a transition window to comply. Establishments must adjust salaries to at least AED6,000 for all Emirati staff by 30th June 2026. From 1st January 2026, any new or updated work permit for an Emirati will need to reflect the updated minimum wage requirement.

Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, Under-Secretary of Labour Market & Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, stated that the decision forms part of a wider Emiratisation strategy. The policy follows a phased model that raises minimum salaries for citizens in the private sector in stages, aligning them more closely with conditions in the broader labour market.

Al Khouri explained that the Ministry first set a minimum monthly salary of AED4,000 for Emiratis, then increased it to AED5,000. The upcoming AED6,000 threshold, effective in 2026, represents the third stage. The approach is designed to reflect job nature and market levels, while giving employers time to update pay structures.

The Ministry is urging businesses to update all relevant employment contracts for Emirati workers before 30th June 2026. By that date, every Emirati employed in the private sector must receive at least AED6,000 per month. The Ministry stressed that this applies across job categories and to all establishments covered by Emiratisation policies.

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MoHRE also outlined enforcement steps for companies that miss the deadline. From 1st July 2026, Emiratis whose wages remain below AED6,000 will no longer count towards Emiratisation targets for their employers. In addition, the Ministry will suspend the issuance of new work permits for those establishments until full salary compliance is confirmed.

Emiratisation minimum wage, Nafis platform and private sector response

Al Khouri praised private sector employers for their support of Emiratisation targets and related regulations since their launch. Al Khouri noted that participation has increased with the Nafis programme and its digital platform, which offers a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates and provides various incentives for companies that meet their Emiratisation objectives.

The Ministry indicated that the higher minimum wage, combined with phased enforcement and digital tools such as Nafis, aims to strengthen Emirati participation in private sector roles. The structured timeline is intended to enable employers to adjust budgets and human resources planning while maintaining alignment with national Emiratisation goals.

With inputs from WAM