UAE Nafis Program Major Overhaul in September 2026: Pension Shift, New Salary Support for Women, and Revised Top-Up Structure

UAE Nafis Program major overhaul September 2026:

Dubai/Abu Dhabi, June 9, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates is implementing significant reforms to its flagship Nafis Program, aimed at boosting Emirati participation in the private sector. The changes, effective from September 2026, include a shift in pension contribution responsibility, new targeted salary support for Emirati women, and a revised monthly top-up structure based on education level.

These updates reflect the government’s continued efforts to create sustainable employment opportunities for nationals while adjusting financial incentives to better align with long-term economic goals.

Key Changes Coming to the Nafis Program

1. Pension Contribution Responsibility Shift The government will stop reimbursing the 2.5% employer pension contribution for eligible Emirati employees earning below AED 20,000 per month. From September 2026, employers will bear the full cost of this contribution.

Impact: This change may increase hiring costs for private sector companies, particularly SMEs, and could influence salary packages offered to Emirati nationals.

2. New Monthly Salary Support for Working Emirati Women with Emirati Husbands A new support scheme offers up to AED 3,000 per month for Emirati women working in the private sector who are married to Emirati husbands.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Monthly salary between AED 6,000 and AED 15,000

• Accredited bachelor’s degree

• Emirati husband employed in public/private sector, retired, or unable to work due to certified medical reasons

• At least two children or married for at least five years (with limited exceptions)

This is a completely new benefit with no previous equivalent.

3. New Support for Children of Emirati Mothers Emirati women will receive up to AED 3,000 per child in monthly salary support when working in the private sector.

Eligibility:

• Monthly salary ranging from AED 6,000 to AED 20,000

• Accredited bachelor’s degree

4. Revised Monthly Salary Top-Up Structure The government top-up (additional amount paid to increase an Emirati’s income) will now be structured according to education level:

• Bachelor’s degree holders: AED 6,000

• Diploma holders: AED 5,000

• High school graduates: AED 4,000

• Below high school: AED 3,000 – 4,000

Previously, the top-up was capped at AED 7,000 regardless of education. The new structure takes effect for new beneficiaries from September 2026. Existing beneficiaries will transition gradually over up to three years, with additional benefits maintained for those employed in free zones.

Why These Changes Are Being Introduced

The Nafis Program was launched to increase Emirati nationals’ participation in the private sector. The 2026 updates aim to:

• Make incentives more targeted and sustainable

• Encourage higher educational attainment

• Support Emirati women in the workforce

• Balance government spending while maintaining attractiveness of private sector jobs

Practical Impact on Employers and Emirati Nationals

For Private Sector Employers:

• Higher pension costs for lower-paid roles

• Need to adjust recruitment and compensation strategies

• Potential opportunities through enhanced support for qualified Emirati candidates

For Emirati Job Seekers:

• More structured and education-linked financial incentives

• New support schemes particularly beneficial for women

• Continued focus on private sector employment with improved long-term benefits

What Employers and Nationals Should Do Now

• Employers: Review current Nafis-supported employees and prepare for the pension contribution shift. Plan recruitment budgets accordingly.

• Emirati Nationals: Check eligibility for the new women’s and mothers’ support schemes. Update educational qualifications where possible to maximise top-up benefits.

• HR Professionals: Monitor official Nafis program announcements for transition guidelines.

The UAE government has emphasised that these changes are part of a broader strategy to create a more skilled, productive, and sustainable national workforce.

For the latest updates, detailed guides, Nafis Program eligibility, salary support schemes, and UAE work visa & Emiratisation news in 2026, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/categories/uae