What is the Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme?
In the year 2023, the UAE government took the initiative, the Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme in UAE. As per this scheme, they aimed at bringing Emirati employment into the private sector. On the other hand, Nafis is a visionary response to boost opportunities for UAE nationals, that aligns with the government’s commitment to economic diversification.
How the Nafis Scheme Works
Every Nafis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has an Emirati salary support scheme to bear their expenses. This scheme offers UAE citizens a 1-year salary support of up to Dh 8,000 pm during training. For university graduates, they will get monthly support of up to Dh 5,000 for 5 years. The programme provides Emirati coders, accountants, and nurses additional support to their existing salaries.
Benefits of the Nafis Scheme for Emirati Employees
As a Nafis, he/she has the right to enjoy the following benefits:
- Salary Support
- Child Support
- Pension Support
Salary Support
As a Nafis, you can avail of the Emirati Minimum Salary support scheme. According to this programme, UAE citizens can receive 1-year salary support of up to Dh 8,000 per month during their training tenure. Meanwhile, university graduates will get monthly support of up to Dh 5,000 for 5 years.
The scheme provides Emirati coders, accountants, and nurses additional support to their existing salaries.
Child Support
Nafis also offers Dh800 per month as a child support allowance. It may vary up to Dh3200 for Emiratis working in the private sector.
Pension Support
The programme grants a 5-year subsidized government-paid contribution on the company’s behalf against the pension plan cost for Emiratis.
Eligibility Criteria
Emiratis are eligible for the Salary Support Scheme under the Nafis programme if they earn between Dh20,000 to Dh30,000 per month. At the same time, a degree-holder Emirati will be allowed a maximum monthly allowance of Dh7,000. On the other hand, diploma holders can claim Dh6,000, and Emiratis with a high school degree or less can take Dh5,000 as a salary support scheme.
Salary Top-Up Calculations
There are two types of employee categories, employees with a current monthly salary below AED 20,000 and employees with a monthly salaries in between AED 20,000 to AED 30,000 as follows:
| Category | Salary Band (Monthly) | Type of Employee/Education | First 5-year salary top-up |
| 1 | <AED 20,000 | University Degree | AED 7000 |
| Secondary-level diploma holders or below | AED 5000 | ||
| Diploma Holder | AED 6000 | ||
| 2 | AED 20,000 to AED 30,000 | University Degree | AED 3,500 |
| Secondary-level diploma holders or below | AED 2,500 | ||
| Diploma Holder | AED 3000 |
The salary top-up is calculated between the employee’s current salary per month and the designated salary for each category. It should not exceed AED 20,000 or AED 30,000 per month, applicable to their category.
Let’s suppose, if a university degree holder’s monthly salary is AED 16,000, the salary top-up calculated is not AED 7000 but he is entitled to get AED 4,000 (16,000+4,000 = AED 20,000). It is the maximum cap for those who are earning less than AED 20,000 pm. The minimum salary top-up is AED 1,000 for Emiratis.
Increased Salary Potential
With the Emirati Salary Support Scheme, Nafis have a chance to earn more which aids in their financial support. The programme aims to provide the desired income solution to the Emiratis so that they can manage their expenses effectively.
Support for Various Qualification Levels
Nafis are eligible for support based on their salary and qualification level:
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- Less than 20,000: Nafis with a monthly salary of less than 20,000 will get AED 7000 if he’s a university degree holder, AED 5000 if he’s a Secondary level diploma holder or below. For diploma holders, he will get AED 6000
- In between 20,000 to 30,000: Emiratis with a monthly salary of between 20,000 to 30,000 will get AED 3500 if he’s a university degree holder, and AED 2500 if he’s a Secondary level diploma holders or below. For diploma holders, he will get AED 3000
Additional Support for Emirati Professionals under Nafis
As a part of a Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme in UAE, Emiratis are eligible for additional financial support besides the monthly salary that they earn in the private company. The programme aims to meet Emiratis’ desired salaries that they are not getting by doing a job in a company.
Unemployment Benefits Under Nafis
Emiratis get financial support under the Nafis programme for 6 months to find a job in case of a job loss in the private sector. Emirati employees who are previous workers in the private sector made inessential would get an unemployment benefit.
Child Support Allowance
To support and manage their children’s expenses, Nafis also offers a Dh800 per month as a child support allowance which may vary up to Dh3200 for Emiratis working in the private sector.
Impact of the Nafis Scheme on UAE Employment
The Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme has significantly transformed the landscape of Emirati employment in the UAE’s private sector. Since its inception, the program has yielded substantial progress in integrating UAE nationals into diverse industries.
Statistics and Trends in Emirati Employment
As of mid-2025, over 152,000 Emiratis are employed in the private sector, marking a more than 50% increase from the previous year. This surge reflects the program’s effectiveness in attracting UAE nationals to private enterprises. The initiative has expanded the Emirati workforce across approximately 29,000 establishments nationwide, spanning sectors such as finance, healthcare, technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction.
Positive Outcomes in Private Sector Participation
The Nafis scheme has incentivized private sector companies to hire Emirati talent by offering financial support, including salary top-ups and allowances. Employers are required to gradually increase their Emirati workforce, contributing to sustainable growth in national employment participation. This structured approach ensures a steady and meaningful integration of Emiratis into private sector roles.
Future Projections and Government Targets
The UAE government aims for Emiratis to occupy 10% of private sector jobs by the end of 2026. To achieve this, AED 24 billion has been allocated to create 75,000 private sector jobs for Emiratis. This ambitious target underscores the nation’s commitment to a diversified workforce, reducing reliance on expatriate labor, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 (mid-year) | Target 2026 |
| Emiratis in Private Sector | 100,000 | 152,000 | 175,000+ |
| Number of Participating Companies | 20,000 | 29,000 | 35,000+ |
| Increase in Employment (%) | – | 0.52 | +15% approx |
| Emiratis in % of Private Sector Jobs | 7% | 9% | 10% |
Challenges and Opportunities of the Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme
The Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme has boosted Emirati participation in the private sector, but it comes with some challenges and notable opportunities for both employees and employers.
Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme Challenges
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Limited Awareness: Some companies are unaware of the scheme’s benefits, leading to lower participation.
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Private Sector Integration: Emiratis may face adaptation challenges in industries dominated by expatriates.
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Compliance Requirements: Reporting and hiring quotas can be complex for smaller businesses.
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Skill Gaps: Certain roles require additional training to match Emirati candidates’ skills with employer needs.
Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme Opportunities
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Career Growth: Emiratis gain valuable experience across diverse industries.
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Financial Support for Employers: Incentives reduce hiring and retention costs.
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Stronger Private Workforce: Gradual integration of Emiratis creates a more sustainable workforce.
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Alignment with National Goals: Supports UAE Vision 2031 and reduces reliance on expatriate labor.
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Upskilling Opportunities: Encourages training, enhancing long-term value for employees and businesses.
Key Challenges vs Opportunities of the Nafis Scheme
The Nafis Scheme presents both hurdles and prospects in promoting Emirati employment in the private sector. While challenges include low awareness and skill gaps, opportunities lie in upskilling initiatives and aligning workforce growth with UAE’s national vision.
| Aspect | Challenges | Opportunities |
| Awareness | Low awareness among employers | Increased outreach and promotion of scheme benefits |
| Workforce Integration | Adaptation to private sector roles | Career growth in diverse industries |
| Compliance | Reporting and quota requirements | Structured framework encourages accountability |
| Skills | Gaps in required skills for certain roles | Upskilling programs and training initiatives |
| National Goals | Dependency on expatriates | Alignment with UAE Vision 2031 and economic growth |
FAQs
What is a Dubai Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme?
The UAE government took an initiative in the year 2023, the Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme. According to this scheme, the Emiratis are entitled to get additional benefits in terms of child allowance, pension support, and salary support. Nafis is a response to boost opportunities for Emiratis, that aligns with the government’s commitment to economic diversification.
What benefits Nafis is entitled to get in the Salary Support Scheme?
Emiratis can avail of the Nafis Emirati salary support scheme’s salary support. This programme offers UAE citizens one-year salary support of up to Dh 8,000 per month during their training tenure. If you are a university graduate you will get monthly support of up to Dh 5,000 for 5 years. The scheme provides Emirati coders, accountants, and nurses additional support to their existing salaries.
What is a child allowance?
Nafis also offers Dh800 per month as a child support allowance. It may vary up to Dh3200 for Emiratis working in the private sector.
How much salary top-up for employees who earn between Dh20,000 to Dh30,000?
Emiratis are eligible for the Salary Support Scheme under the Nafis programme if they earn between Dh20,000 to Dh30,000 per month. University degree holder with a monthly salary of AED 16,000, is entitled to get AED 4,000, not AED 7000 (16,000+4,000 = AED 20,000). It is the maximum cap for those who are earning less than AED 20,000 pm. The minimum salary top-up is AED 1,000 for Emiratis.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Nafis Emirati Salary Support Scheme?
The eligibility criteria for UAE nationals depend on their current monthly earnings and level of education. Emiratis are eligible for the Salary Support Scheme under the Nafis programme if they earn between Dh20,000 to Dh30,000 per month. In contrast, a degree-holder Emirati will be allowed a maximum monthly allowance of Dh7,000. On the other hand, diploma holders can claim Dh6,000, and Emiratis with a high school degree or less can take Dh5,000 as a salary support scheme.