From 1 January 2023, private sector companies operating in the UAE with 50 employees, or more are required to increase their current Emiratisation rate from high-skilled jobs by 2 percent annually to 10 percent by 2026 or face fines.
The required proportion of UAE nationals in the workforce is currently one out of every 50 skilled employees. This will increase proportionately until it reaches five out of every 50 by 2026. Separate targets apply to banks and insurance firms, of 4 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.