Emiratisation Calculator

What is Emiratisation (Tawteen)?

Emiratisation is the UAE government's policy requiring private-sector employers in designated sectors and sizes to hire UAE nationals at minimum quota percentages. MOHRE monitors compliance; the Nafis platform supports Emirati recruitment with incentives, training subsidies, and salary support programmes.

Emiratisation is not optional for covered establishments. Failing to meet targets can result in fines, higher visa costs, and restrictions on new expatriate work permits.

How is the Emiratisation quota calculated?

Emiratisation % = (UAE national employees ÷ total employees) × 100

Gap to target = required UAE nationals − current UAE nationals

Required percentages vary by sector. This calculator uses MOHRE-published targets for common sectors:

| Sector | Required % | |---|---| | Financial services | 4% | | Insurance | 5% | | Retail & trade | 2% | | Hospitality | 3% | | Technology | 2% | | General / other | 2% |

Example: 50 employees in financial services (4% target). Required UAE nationals: 50 × 4% = 2. If you have 0, you need 2 UAE national hires.

Thresholds also depend on company size and skill level — verify current MOHRE circulars for your establishment.

Nafis and government support

The Nafis platform connects employers with Emirati job seekers. Benefits may include salary top-ups and training grants for qualifying hires. Register on Nafis when hiring UAE nationals to access available support programmes.

Compliance and penalties

Failing to meet Emiratisation targets can result in:

• Financial fines per missing UAE national
• Restrictions on new expatriate work permits
• Higher visa processing costs
• MOHRE inspection and remediation orders

Track headcount by nationality and job category monthly — not reactively when a visa application is blocked.

Which companies are subject to Emiratisation?

Emiratisation thresholds depend on sector, establishment size (typically 50+ employees in targeted sectors, though rules evolve), and skill classification. MOHRE publishes updated circulars — verify whether your specific activity code is in scope before assuming exemption.

Skilled vs support roles

Some Emiratisation targets apply differently to skilled and semi-skilled positions. Hiring UAE nationals into support roles that do not count toward quota is a common compliance trap. Confirm role eligibility with MOHRE before making hiring commitments.

Common Emiratisation mistakes

1. Not knowing whether your establishment is subject to Emiratisation quotas
2. Counting UAE nationals in ineligible roles that MOHRE does not credit
3. Using outdated headcount that does not match MOHRE records
4. Hiring expatriates without checking quota impact first
5. Not registering hires on Nafis to access support programmes

ArcHR reports nationality mix, department headcount, and hiring pipeline — giving HR visibility to meet Emiratisation goals proactively.

Emiratisation reporting to MOHRE

Covered establishments must report UAE national headcount accurately in MOHRE systems each cycle. Quota shortfalls are assessed against registered workforce data, not internal spreadsheets. Nafis-registered Emirati hires may access salary support programmes, but only roles credited toward Emiratisation targets reduce the compliance gap and protect expatriate visa allocation rights.