The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced an increase to the minimum monthly salary requirement for Emirati nationals as part of its ongoing Emiratisation framework. The announced changes are effective from 1 January 2026 and apply to both new hires and existing Emirati employees, with employers required to meet the revised salary thresholds by 30 June 2026.
New minimum thresholds
From 1 January 2026, the updated minimum salary requirement will apply to labour cards and labour contract applications, renewals, and amendments for Emirati employees, and it will cover both new hires and existing Emirati employees. From that date, the minimum monthly net salary for Emirati nationals will increase to AED 6,000 per month up from AED 5,000 per month.
Transition period and enforcement
Employers must ensure that any existing Emirati employees earning below AED 6,000 net per month are brought up to at least the new minimum by 30 June 2026. MOHRE labour contracts must also be formally updated to reflect the revised salary before that deadline.
If the updated minimum salary is not implemented by 30 June 2026, MOHRE will enforce the measures from 1 July 2026. Emirati employees who are earning below AED 6,000 per month will not be counted towards the employer’s Emiratisation targets, and the employer’s MOHRE portal account may be suspended, preventing the submission of new work permit or labour card applications.
Salary components and employment terms
The AED 6,000 per month threshold refers to the total monthly net salary, which may include allowances (e.g. housing or other fixed allowances), provided these are clearly reflected in the MOHRE labour contract.
MOHRE issues labour cards for Emirati nationals on a full-time basis only. While employers and employees may agree internally to reduced working hours, all Emirati employees remain subject to the same minimum salary requirement, regardless of working arrangements.
What this means for employers
Employers should immediately review the salaries and MOHRE labour contracts of all Emirati employees to ensure compliance with the AED 6,000 per month minimum by 30 June 2026 and update internal HR and payroll systems to reflect the revised salary requirements.
Failure to comply may impact Emiratisation quota calculations and disrupt business operations due to MOHRE account restrictions. At present, this change does not impact the minimum salary requirement for expatriates, although we will continue to monitor the situation.
These changes reinforce the UAE’s continued focus on strengthening Emiratisation outcomes and underscore the importance of proactive workforce planning and compliance monitoring
At Vialto Partners, we support organisations in navigating evolving UAE employment and Emiratisation requirements. Our services include:
For tailored advice on how this update may affect your organisation or workforce, please contact your Vialto Partners advisor.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Anir Chatterji
EMEA Immigration Partner
Rekha Simpson
Director, Middle East Immigration
Umme Salma
Senior Manager, Middle East Immigration
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