From September 2026, the rules governing Nafis — the federal programme that provides salary support, allowances, and pension incentives for Emirati citizens working in the private sector — are being restructured. The changes affect eligibility thresholds, support amounts, child allowances, and who pays for pension contributions.
If you are an Emirati job seeker entering the private sector, or already employed under a Nafis-supported role, the new structure changes the financial maths of every offer you evaluate.
What Changes in September — the New Tiers in Plain Terms
Gulf Business reported on 20 August 2026 that the restructuring introduces a Dh6,000 minimum monthly salary for Nafis eligibility and caps support at salaries of Dh20,000 per month. Within that band, monthly salary support is tiered by education:
| Education level | Maximum monthly Nafis support |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | Dh6,000 |
| Diploma | Dh5,000 |
| Secondary school certificate | Dh4,000 |
| Below secondary (married or with dependents) | Dh4,000 |
| Below secondary (single, no dependents) | Dh3,000 |
Two other changes take effect alongside the tiers. The child allowance of Dh600 per month per qualifying child is no longer capped at four children — the cap has been removed entirely. And salary support of up to Dh3,000 per month has been extended to eligible children of Emirati mothers and wives of Emirati citizens working in the private sector.
The Dh6,000–20,000 Band and Why Your Negotiated Salary Now Matters More
Under the previous structure, the relationship between your negotiated salary and your Nafis support was less direct. Under the new rules, it is explicit: support only applies between Dh6,000 and Dh20,000. Below the floor you are ineligible. Above the ceiling the supplement stops.
This makes salary negotiation a different exercise for Emirati candidates than for expats in the same role. A Dh1,000 difference in your negotiated salary does not just change your gross pay — it changes whether you qualify, which support tier applies, and what your total household income looks like when child allowances are included.
Before accepting an offer, calculate the full picture: base salary + Nafis supplement at your education tier + child allowances. An offer at Dh7,000 with a bachelor's Nafis supplement is a different proposition from an offer at Dh5,500, which falls below the eligibility floor entirely.
The notice period calculator can help you plan the timing of a transition between roles, and the gratuity calculator shows what you are owed from a current position before moving.
What the Pension-Contribution Shift Means When You Read a Job Offer
The September changes also shift pension economics. Private-sector employers are now responsible for paying their statutory share of pension contributions for Emirati employees enrolled in Nafis. Previously, part of this cost was covered by the programme.
For the employer, this makes hiring an Emirati worker slightly more expensive than before — which means the employer's calculation when setting your salary now includes a pension contribution they were not previously making. This does not mean private-sector employers will avoid Emirati hires — Emiratisation quotas require them, and the penalties for non-compliance are meaningful. But it does mean that understanding the employer's full cost of your employment gives you better leverage in a negotiation.
When reviewing an offer letter, confirm whether the stated salary is before or after the employer's pension contribution. This is a question most Emirati candidates in the private sector have not previously had to ask.
Part-Time Work Now Counts — How to Structure a CV Around It
Separately from the Nafis restructuring, the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) announced in August 2026 that Emirati workers employed between eight and 32 hours per week — equivalent to one to four days per week, or 20% to 80% of full-time hours — in either the government or the private sector are now covered by the pension system. Benefits are calculated proportionally based on actual hours worked. Employers must register eligible part-time staff through the Ma'ashi platform.
GPSSA stated that the move aims to "keep pace with changes in the labour market and support flexible working arrangements, including in-person, remote and hybrid work."
This is a structural shift, not a minor administrative update. For the first time, part-time and flexible work arrangements for Emirati nationals carry pension continuity. If you are balancing work with education, family responsibilities, or a portfolio of roles, this removes one of the primary financial objections to part-time employment.
On your CV, this means part-time roles now belong in your experience section with full weight, not as footnotes. Structure them the same way you would a full-time role: job title, employer, dates, and measurable outcomes. Note the arrangement as "part-time" in the role line — employers will want to understand the structure — but present achievements at full weight. A result is a result regardless of contracted hours. For how to structure a Gulf CV overall, see the UAE CV format guide.
Positioning an Emirati CV for an Emiratisation-Quota Role
Many private-sector roles that Emirati candidates will apply for exist because of Emiratisation quotas — mandated targets for Emirati employment in private companies. This is not a negative; quota roles are real positions with real responsibilities. But the CV needs to work within that context.
Private-sector employers filling Emiratisation roles are looking for evidence that the candidate can function in a commercial environment. If your previous experience is in the government sector, lead with transferable skills and outcomes rather than government-sector titles, which private employers may not recognise or value equally. "Managed procurement for a government department" is less useful than "Managed Dh4.2m annual procurement across 12 supplier contracts, reducing delivery lead times by 30%."
Your professional summary should name the private-sector function you are targeting — operations, finance, HR, logistics — and your education level, since it now directly determines your Nafis tier. See professional summary examples for the structure.
If you are entering the private sector for the first time, the career change CV guide covers how to reframe government experience for a commercial audience. And for a broader view of which sectors are actively hiring, the UAE sectors guide tracks where demand is strongest in 2026. You can also check whether your CV is machine-readable with the free ATS Resume Checker — Emiratisation roles at larger companies use the same applicant tracking systems as any other vacancy.
If You Are Already Receiving Support: the Dh500 Phase-Down Explained
Existing Nafis beneficiaries whose current support exceeds the new education-tiered maximums will see automatic reductions of Dh500 every six months until their support reaches the new level. There is no abrupt cut.
If you are currently receiving Dh7,000 in monthly support and your new maximum is Dh5,000 (diploma tier), the adjustment would take two years to complete: four six-month reductions of Dh500 each. Plan for this in your household budgeting and, if relevant, factor it into any job-transition timing.
The gradual phase-down is designed to avoid shock, but it also means your effective income will decline steadily over the transition period. If the new take-home is materially different from what you have been budgeting on, this is the period to negotiate a salary adjustment with your current employer or to evaluate whether a move to a higher-paying role changes the equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new minimum salary for Nafis support from September 2026?
Dh6,000 per month. From September 2026, Nafis eligibility requires a minimum monthly salary of Dh6,000, and support is capped at salaries of Dh20,000 per month. The band between these two thresholds is where the programme's salary supplements apply, making the salary you negotiate directly affect your total take-home.
How much Nafis salary support will I receive based on my education level?
New beneficiaries receive maximum monthly support of Dh6,000 for a bachelor's degree, Dh5,000 for a diploma, Dh4,000 for secondary school completion or below-secondary with dependents, and Dh3,000 for below-secondary without dependents. These are maximums — actual support varies by salary level within the Dh6,000 to Dh20,000 eligibility band.
Do private-sector employers now pay pension contributions for Emirati employees under Nafis?
Yes. From September 2026, private-sector employers are responsible for paying their own statutory share of pension contributions for enrolled Emirati employees. Previously, Nafis covered part of this cost. This changes the employer's calculation when making an offer, and it is worth understanding before salary negotiation.
Can part-time Emirati employees now receive a pension in the UAE?
Yes. The General Pension and Social Security Authority announced in August 2026 that Emiratis working between eight and 32 hours per week — or one to four days per week — in both government and private-sector roles are now covered. Benefits are calculated proportionally based on actual hours worked. Employers must register eligible part-time staff through the Ma'ashi platform.
How should I structure an Emirati CV for private-sector Emiratisation roles?
Lead with transferable skills and measurable outcomes rather than government-sector titles, which private employers may not recognise. Include a clear professional summary naming the private-sector function you are targeting, your education level since it determines your Nafis tier, and any commercial or project-based experience. The standard UAE CV format applies — one page if possible, no photo unless the employer requests one.
What happens to existing Nafis beneficiaries who receive more than the new support levels?
Support is reduced by Dh500 every six months until it reaches the level specified under the new policy. The adjustment is automatic and applies to beneficiaries whose current support exceeds the new education-tiered maximums. There is no abrupt cut — the phase-down is gradual.
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Sources: Gulf Business, "UAE Nafis salary rules change from September," 20 August 2026; Khaleej Times, "Pension scheme extends coverage to part-time Emirati employees," 21 August 2026; Gulf News, "Emiratis working 8 to 32 hours a week now covered by UAE pension system," 21 August 2026.
→ Related reading: UAE CV Format 2026 · Career Change CV for the UAE · How to Get a Job in Dubai in 2026 · UAE Sectors Hiring in 2026
The MakeMyCV editorial team specialises in UAE and Gulf job market careers. We write practical, ATS-focused CV guides for students, fresh graduates, and professionals navigating Dubai and Abu Dhabi's hiring landscape.
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