Don't guess your Emiratization ratio.
Use ZenHR's free calculator to see exactly where your company stands under MOHRE's Tawteen requirements - your gap, your fine exposure, and what to do about it.
ZenHR automates Emiratization tracking, Nafis enrolment, and quota reporting - built for UAE companies that can't afford to miss their targets.
Find quick answers to common questions about ZenHR’s features, setup, and support.
Emiratization (Tawteen) is a UAE federal mandate under MOHRE Cabinet Decision No. 10/2023 requiring private-sector companies to employ a minimum percentage of UAE nationals in skilled roles. It applies to all private-sector employers with 20 or more employees across targeted industries. Companies with fewer than 20 employees are fully exempt.
For companies with 50 or more employees, the mandatory skilled-workforce Emiratization rates are: 6% in 2024, 8% in 2025, and 10% in 2026. The rate increases by 2 percentage points each year. These percentages apply only to skilled positions (ISCO Levels 1–3: managers, professionals, and technicians) - not to the total headcount.
Fines are charged per unfilled Emirati slot, per month: AED 8,000/slot/month in 2024 (AED 96,000/year), AED 9,000/slot/month in 2025 (AED 108,000/year), and AED 10,000/slot/month in 2026 (AED 120,000/year). For small companies (20–49 employees), a fixed annual lump-sum fine applies per required but unfilled national position.
Compliance rate = (UAE nationals in skilled roles ÷ total skilled employees) × 100. Skilled roles are defined as ISCO Skill Levels 1–3: senior managers, professionals, and associate professionals/technicians. Support workers, drivers, cleaners, and labourers are excluded from both the numerator and denominator.
Yes, with different rules. Companies with 20–49 employees must meet fixed headcount targets - not percentage targets. They are required to employ at least 1 UAE national by end of 2024 and at least 2 UAE nationals by end of 2025 and 2026. Companies with fewer than 20 employees are fully exempt from all Emiratization obligations.
Nafis (nafis.gov.ae) is a UAE federal wage-subsidy programme that pays up to AED 8,000 per month directly to eligible UAE nationals employed in the private sector, based on their salary bracket. Employers register each new national hire through the Nafis portal to activate the subsidy - effectively reducing the net salary cost of Emirati employees and making compliance far more affordable.
MOHRE applies Emiratization quotas across all major private-sector industries including financial services, insurance, real estate, information technology, retail, hospitality, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. The same rate schedule applies across all covered sectors - every company with 20+ employees in these industries must comply.
Companies fall into one of four zones: Compliant (Green) - meets or exceeds the target rate, no fines; At Risk (Amber) - below target but above half the target rate, moderate fine exposure; Non-Compliant (Red) - below half the target rate, maximum fines and MOHRE inspection priority; Exempt - fewer than 20 employees, no obligation.
Complete reference to UAE Emiratisation targets, fines, Nafis subsidies, and compliance zones under MOHRE Cabinet Decision No. 10/2023.
| Company Size | 2024 Target | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 20 employees | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | No obligations |
| 20–49 employees | 1 UAE national | 2 UAE nationals | 2 UAE nationals | Fixed headcount target (not %) |
| 50+ employees | 6% of skilled workforce | 8% of skilled workforce | 10% of skilled workforce | % of ISCO Levels 1–3 roles only |
| Year | Fine per Unfilled Slot/Month | Annual Cost per Slot | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AED 8,000 | AED 96,000 | Per unfilled national required under 6% target |
| 2025 | AED 9,000 | AED 108,000 | Per unfilled national required under 8% target |
| 2026 | AED 10,000 | AED 120,000 | Per unfilled national required under 10% target |
Companies with 20–49 employees face a fixed annual lump-sum fine per required but unfilled national position.
| Role Type | ISCO Level | Included in Calculation? | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior managers & directors | Level 1 | ✔ Yes | CEO, CFO, HR Director, Department Head |
| Professionals | Level 2 | ✔ Yes | Engineers, accountants, lawyers, doctors |
| Technicians & associate professionals | Level 3 | ✔ Yes | IT technicians, nursing staff, supervisors |
| Clerical & support workers | Level 4 | ✘ No | Receptionists, data entry, admin clerks |
| Service & sales workers | Level 5 | ✘ No | Cashiers, security guards, retail staff |
| Labourers & drivers | Levels 6–9 | ✘ No | Drivers, cleaners, maintenance workers |
Formula: Compliance % = (UAE nationals in ISCO Levels 1–3 ÷ total employees in ISCO Levels 1–3) × 100
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum monthly subsidy | AED 8,000 per UAE national/month |
| Subsidy basis | Paid directly by UAE government based on employee salary bracket |
| How to activate | Register each new UAE national hire via nafis.gov.ae portal |
| Practical effect | Significantly reduces net employer cost of hiring UAE nationals |
| Zone | Status | Fine Exposure | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚫ Green — Compliant | Meets or exceeds target | None | Emiratisation % ≥ annual target |
| ⚫ Amber — At Risk | Below target, above 50% of target | Moderate | Between half-target and full target |
| ⚫ Red — Non-Compliant | Below half the target rate | Maximum + MOHRE inspection priority | Emiratisation % < 50% of annual target |
| ◯ Exempt | No obligation | None | Fewer than 20 employees |
Source: UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) — Cabinet Decision No. 10/2023. Nafis: nafis.gov.ae. Targets and fines apply to the current Tawteen cycle.
