The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced a new decision aimed at strengthening job stability for Emirati employees in the private sector, setting the minimum monthly salary for UAE nationals at AED 6,000, effective from January 1, 2026.

According to the ministry, the updated minimum wage requirement will apply to all Emirati work permit services, including the issuance of new permits, renewals, and amendments. Any application that does not meet the new salary threshold will not be processed after the effective date.

MOHRE clarified through its digital platforms that it will send official notifications and alerts to employers via service channels and the MOHRE Smart App, confirming that the minimum salary for Emiratis working in the private sector will be AED 6,000 starting January 2026.

The ministry stressed that from January 1, 2026, no Emirati work permit request—whether for issuance, renewal, or amendment—will be printed or delivered if the registered salary is below the approved minimum. In such cases, a mandatory note will be added requiring employers to adjust the employee’s salary accordingly.

Employers will be given a grace period until June 30, 2026 to regularize salary conditions. However, MOHRE warned that failure to adjust Emirati salaries within this timeframe will result in enforcement measures starting July 1, 2026. These measures include excluding the Emirati employee from Emiratisation quotas until the salary is corrected, as well as imposing an administrative restriction on the company, preventing it from issuing new work permits due to non-compliance.

The ministry confirmed that the salary increase applies exclusively to two-year Emirati work permits, whether newly issued, renewed, or amended, and that the salary must not fall below AED 6,000 as of January 2026.

This decision forms part of the UAE government’s broader strategy to enhance Emirati participation in the private sector, ensure fair compensation, and promote a more sustainable and competitive labor market that supports national economic growth.