NAFIS is the UAE's federal Emiratisation programme, launched in 2021 to increase UAE-national employment in the private sector. It combines salary support, training subsidies, and mandatory quotas on private-sector employers.
What it does
Private-sector employers with 50 or more skilled-job employees must increase their UAE-national headcount by 2 percentage points per year, reaching approximately 10% by end-2026. Non-compliance triggers a monthly fine of AED 7,000 per missed slot, escalating annually. NAFIS provides salary top-ups, pension contributions, training support, and career-counselling services to participating UAE nationals.
Key facts
| Type | Federal Emiratisation programme |
| Launched | 2021 |
| Employer scope | Private companies with 50+ skilled-job employees |
| Quota target | ~10% UAE nationals by end-2026 (2 pp/year) |
| Non-compliance penalty | AED 7,000/month per missed slot (escalating) |
| Official portal | nafis.gov.ae |
