A revised Nafis framework will begin rolling out in September 2026, bringing changes to salary support, eligibility thresholds, child allowances and pension contributions for Emiratis working in the UAE private sector.
- Nafis salary support capped at Dh6,000 for graduates
- Dh6,000 minimum salary set for Nafis eligibility
- Existing Nafis beneficiaries to move gradually
- Nafis removes cap on child allowance
- New support for children of Emirati mothers
- Wives of Emirati men may also qualify for support
- Employers to take responsibility for pension contributions
- What the Nafis changes mean for employees
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council has confirmed that the updated programmes will apply to new beneficiaries from September. Meanwhile, existing recipients of the Private Sector Emirati Salary Support Scheme will transition to the new framework gradually over a period of up to three years.
The changes form part of a wider effort to strengthen Emiratisation and support the long-term participation of UAE nationals in the private sector.
Nafis salary support capped at Dh6,000 for graduates
Under the revised framework, new beneficiaries will receive salary support based on their educational qualifications.
Bachelor’s degree holders can receive up to Dh6,000 per month. Diploma holders can receive up to Dh5,000, while secondary-school graduates can receive up to Dh4,000.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries below secondary-school level may receive up to Dh4,000 if they are married or have dependants. Those who are unmarried or do not have dependants can receive up to Dh3,000.
However, the employee’s monthly salary must not exceed Dh20,000 under the official framework.
Dh6,000 minimum salary set for Nafis eligibility
The revised rules also introduce a standard minimum salary of Dh6,000 per month for Nafis salary support eligibility across eligible categories.
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council said the threshold aligns with the UAE Cabinet’s minimum-wage decision.
As a result, employees earning below Dh6,000 may need to meet the revised salary requirement to qualify for support under the updated framework.
Existing Nafis beneficiaries to move gradually
Existing private-sector recipients will not immediately lose their current level of support.
Instead, Nafis will automatically apply the revised benefit levels from September. The support amount will then decrease by Dh500 every six months until it reaches the level set under the new policy.
In addition, a separate transition arrangement will apply to employees outside the remit of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank of the UAE, including eligible free-zone employees earning below the approved minimum salary.
If their salary is adjusted to Dh6,000, they will receive the full current support amount for the first six months. The payment will then fall to 70% for another six months and 30% for a further three months.
Nafis removes cap on child allowance
One of the most significant changes is the removal of the limit on the number of children eligible for Nafis child allowance support.
Previously, the scheme placed a cap on the number of children covered. However, the revised framework will allow eligible Emiratis working in the private sector to receive support for every qualifying child.
The programme provides Dh600 per month for each eligible child.
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council said the change aims to strengthen family stability and improve the quality of life for UAE national families.
New support for children of Emirati mothers
The updated Nafis framework also introduces salary support for children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector.
Eligible applicants can receive up to Dh3,000 per month. However, they must meet the programme’s conditions, including earning between Dh6,000 and Dh20,000 per month and holding an accredited bachelor’s degree.
This expands the scope of Nafis support to additional categories of UAE nationals and families.
Wives of Emirati men may also qualify for support
The revised programme will also provide salary support of up to Dh3,000 per month to eligible wives of Emirati men working in the private sector.
Applicants must earn between Dh6,000 and Dh15,000 per month and hold an accredited bachelor’s degree. In addition, they must have at least two children or have been married for at least five years.
The Emirati husband must also be working in the public or private sector, retired, or medically certified as unable to work.
However, the Council has introduced limited exceptions after two years of marriage. These apply to medical-degree holders, teaching staff, qualifying PhD holders and women with experience in vital labour-market roles, subject to Nafis requirements.
Employers to take responsibility for pension contributions
The changes will also affect private-sector employers that employ Emirati nationals.
Nafis will continue covering pension-fund contributions for eligible Emirati employees registered under its Subscription scheme. However, from September, employers will become responsible for paying their statutory share of pension contributions for Emirati employees enrolled in the programme.
Therefore, the revised framework will have implications not only for employees but also for companies managing payroll, benefits and Emiratisation obligations.
What the Nafis changes mean for employees
For Emirati employees, the September changes will bring a clearer eligibility structure and revised levels of salary support.
The Dh6,000 minimum salary threshold will become a key requirement across eligible categories. At the same time, families could benefit from the removal of the child allowance cap.
Existing beneficiaries will also receive a transition period rather than an immediate reduction in support.
Overall, the changes extend Nafis support to new beneficiary groups while shifting some financial responsibilities to private-sector employers. As the new framework rolls out from September 2026, both employees and HR teams will need to review how the revised rules affect salaries, benefits and pension contributions.
