Nafis Incentives Explained: How to Offset Your Emiratisation Costs

Answer Capsule: The Nafis programme provides salary top-ups of up to AED 7,000/month for Emirati employees with bachelor's degrees, AED 5,000/month for diploma holders, and AED 3,500/month for high school graduates, paid directly to the employee for up to 5 years. Combined with the AED 6,000 minimum Emirati wage, employer net costs can approach zero in early years. Additional benefits include child allowances, pension contributions, and unemployment insurance.

Emiratisation is expensive — or is it? When you factor in Nafis subsidies, the actual cost of hiring Emirati employees can be dramatically lower than most business owners assume. This guide explains every Nafis benefit and how to maximise them.

Salary Support Tiers

| Education Level | Monthly Subsidy | Duration | Net Employer Cost (at min wage) | |---|---|---|---| | Bachelor's degree+ | Up to AED 7,000 | Up to 5 years (declining) | AED 0–2,000/month (Year 1) | | Diploma | Up to AED 5,000 | Up to 5 years | AED 1,000–3,000/month | | High school | Up to AED 3,500 | Up to 5 years | AED 2,500–4,000/month |

The salary support is paid directly to the Emirati employee — not to the employer. This means the employee receives their total compensation from two sources: the employer's salary payment through WPS and the Nafis top-up. For the employee, this makes private sector compensation more competitive with government sector alternatives.

Additional Nafis Benefits

Child allowance: AED 600–800 per month per child, up to 4 children, for Emirati employees in the private sector.

Pension support: The government contributes to the employer's pension obligation for Emirati employees, reducing the employer's social insurance burden.

Unemployment insurance: Nafis provides additional unemployment protection for Emirati private sector workers, making private sector employment less risky for candidates.

Training and development: Subsidised professional development programmes available through the Nafis platform.

How to Register

Step 1: Create an employer account on nafis.gov.ae using your trade licence and MOHRE establishment card details.

Step 2: Register each Emirati employee individually, providing their Emirates ID, employment contract, and WPS salary confirmation.

Step 3: Benefits begin from the registration date — not retroactively. Register immediately upon hiring.

Important Timing Note

The Nafis programme in its current form may conclude at the end of 2026. Companies that register and hire now benefit from the maximum subsidy duration. Delaying reduces both the subsidy value and the time available to reach Emiratisation compliance.

Emiratisation Services | Full Emiratisation Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Nafis subsidy go to the employer or the employee? A: Directly to the employee. The employer pays the agreed salary through WPS, and Nafis provides the additional top-up to the employee.

Q: Is the subsidy guaranteed for 5 years? A: The subsidy duration and amount may vary. It typically declines annually over the 5-year period. Additionally, the programme itself may evolve — check nafis.gov.ae for current terms.

Q: Can I register for Nafis if my company is in a free zone? A: The Nafis programme primarily targets mainland companies subject to Emiratisation requirements. Free zone companies should check eligibility directly on the Nafis platform.

Q: How long does Nafis registration take? A: Employer registration is typically completed within 1–2 business days. Individual employee registration takes an additional 1–3 days.