Emiratisation Calculator 2026: Target, Shortfall and Contributions

UAE employer tools · Updated November 2026

Check the number of Emiratis your company needs to meet its 2026 target. Enter your skilled headcount and the Emiratis who count today. The calculator shows the target, the shortfall and the possible MOHRE contribution if you miss each milestone.

Roles MOHRE classifies as skilled.
On WPS, pension-registered and paid at least AED 6,000.
Enter the number of skilled employees.

This applies to companies with 50 or more employees. Results are estimates. Confirm your target with MOHRE.

Emiratisation Targets at a Glance

MilestoneShare of skilled rolesApplies to
30 June 20269%Companies with 50 or more employees
31 December 202610%Companies with 50 or more employees
2026At least one EmiratiCompanies with 20 to 49 employees in specified sectors

Read the full rules, including fake Emiratisation penalties and incentives, in our Emiratisation guide.

Worked Example

A tech company has 120 skilled employees and 8 Emiratis who count. The 10% target means 12 Emiratis by 31 December 2026.

  • Shortfall: 12 − 8 = 4 Emiratis.
  • Possible contribution: 4 × AED 10,000 × 12 months = AED 480,000 a year.

How to Close the Gap

  1. Plan Emirati roles in product, project, data, cloud and security teams.
  2. Advertise on the Nafis platform to reach Emirati candidates.
  3. Budget for the AED 6,000 minimum salary and pension contributions.
  4. Hire before each milestone, not on the deadline.

Our IT recruitment team in Dubai sources Emirati and expat tech talent. The fee is 15–20% of the first-year package, with a 3-month replacement guarantee.

Related Guides and Tools

Emiratisation Calculator FAQs

How is the Emiratisation target calculated?

Companies with 50 or more employees must raise the share of Emiratis in skilled roles by 2% a year, in two 1% steps. The 2026 milestones are 9% by 30 June and 10% by 31 December.

What is the Emiratisation contribution in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, companies that miss their target pay AED 10,000 a month for each Emirati they should have hired.

Which Emiratis count towards the target?

Emiratis with a MOHRE work permit, salary paid through WPS, pension registration and a monthly salary of at least AED 6,000.

Does Emiratisation apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees?

Companies with 20 to 49 employees in specified sectors must employ at least one Emirati. This calculator covers companies with 50 or more.

Do remote engineers outside the UAE count in the skilled base?

Remote engineers who live and work outside the UAE are not on your UAE payroll. Confirm the treatment with your adviser.