UAE Sets July 1 Deadline for Private Firms on Emiratisation

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The UAE government has reminded private companies with 50 or more workers that they must hire more Emirati citizens in skilled jobs before July 1, 2025.

These companies need to increase the number of Emirati workers by 1% of their skilled staff for the first half of the year. If they don’t do this, they will have to pay a fine of Dh9,000 every month for each Emirati they didn’t hire according to the rule.

Starting from July 1, the government will start checking if companies followed the rule. They’ll also make sure the hired Emiratis are properly registered for pension and social benefits.

The UAE says its economy is strong and there are enough opportunities, so it should be possible for companies to meet the hiring target. A program called Nafis helps companies find trained Emiratis who are ready to work.

By the end of April 2025, over 136,000 Emiratis were working in private companies, which is a record. The government thanked the private sector for supporting this goal.

Companies that go above and beyond in hiring Emiratis can get big benefits, like discounts of up to 80% on government fees and special treatment when applying for government contracts.

But if companies fake their hiring records or break the rules, they’ll face strict punishment. The government uses technology and inspections to catch any cheating. People can also report companies breaking the rules through the website, app, or call center.

Also, companies with 20 to 49 employees must hire at least one Emirati before the end of 2025. This rule affects more than 12,000 businesses across key sectors like finance, healthcare, IT, education, hospitality, and transportation.