Are you searching for how to check Emiratisation for your company and landed here? Starting from 2026, Emiratisation is no longer a future compliance – it’s a mandatory requirement for all companies in the UAE. Every year, thousands of businesses face fines not because they refuse to hire Emiratis, but because they don’t clearly understand their exact Emiratisation target 2026. If you’re a business owner, HR manager, or company director asking:
does my company fall under Emiratisation rules?
how many Emirati employees do I need this year?
Where do I check my official Emiratisation target 2026?
In this guide, Dahhan Business Services, the leading business setup Dubai is going to explain how Emiratisation targets are calculated, and how to verify whether your company stay in complaint with the UAE policies.
What is Emiratisation Rule 2026?
Emiratisation is a UAE government initiative that requires private-sector companies to employ a minimum number of UAE nationals in skilled roles. The program is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and supported by the Nafis program, which helps with hiring Emiratis.
What is Emiratisation Rule 2026?
Emiratisation is a UAE government initiative that requires private-sector companies to employ a minimum number of UAE nationals in skilled roles. The program is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and supported by the Nafis program, which helps with hiring Emiratis.
Check Emiratisation Targets
As of 2026, Emiratisation applies to companies that are covered:
Mainland private sector companies
20 or more employees
Businesses operating in skilled job categories
Companies usually not comes under Emiratisation includes:
Freezone companies not registered with MOHRE (as of now, stay tuned for future updates)
The rules are subject to changes, so it’s advised to keep track on the official announcements to stay compliant with Emiratisation rules.
How Emiratisation Targets Are Calculated – 2026 Updated Info
The UAE follows progressive annual hiring model and it’s explained as follows:
Eligible companies must increase Emirati employment by:
2% of skilled roles every year
This continues year-on-year until national workforce targets are met.
For example:
If your company has:
100 Skilled Roles
Required Emiratisation rate: 6% (cumulative)
You must employ 6 Emirati professionals in eligible roles.
What Are “Skilled Roles” Under Emiratisation?
MOHRE defines skilled jobs based on:
Educational qualification
Job title and classification
Salary thresholds
Role responsibility level
Typical skilled roles include:
Managers & executives
Engineers & technicians
Accountants & auditors
Sales & marketing professionals
HR, IT, legal, and administrative specialists
How to Check Emiratisation Target for a Company?
Your official Emiratisation target is reflected inside MOHRE-linked systems, based on:
Your establishment card
Total number of skilled employees
Company activity & classification
Current Emirati headcount
Past compliance record
When you check Emirisation for your company, the targets may vary depending on the company’s activity and the category of skilled employees. This is why two companies with the same staff size may follow different Emiratisation policies.
How to Check Emiratisation Target 2026 Online
You can check the Emiratisation Target 2026 for your company by logging in to the official MoHRE portal.
Within the portal, look for “Establishment File,” “Quota Request,” or “Emiratisation Status”.
Here you can find all the related information, including your total allocated quota, number of skilled employees, current number of employed UAE nationals, and the required Emiratisation target for compliance.
A small miscalculation or missing deadlines can result in penalties of AED 108,000 per missing Emirati national, applied in January 2026. This is calculated as AED 9,000 per month. So it’s advised to hire a PRO services in Dubai who can keep track of these updates and ensure your company always stay complaint.
Things to Consider While You Check Emiratisation Target 2026
Don’t assume free zone companies are always exempt for Emiratisation rules, as the rules are subject to change at any time.
Get a clearly understanding on how MoHRE considers skilled rules and non-skilled roles.
Don’t miss the complete track of employees – from new joins to employee resignations in the mid-year.
Always keep track on updates announced in MoHRE.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Emiratisation Target?
If your company fails to meet the Emiratisation targets,
Monthly financial penalties
Blocking of work permit issuance
Downgrade in MOHRE classification
Compliance risk during audits
How Professional Consultants Help You Check & Meet Emiratisation Targets
Instead of guessing or risking fines, professional business consultants from Dahhan Business Services,
Review your MOHRE establishment profile
Analyze skilled vs non-skilled workforce
Calculate exact annual Emiratisation gap
Advise whether hiring or Nafis enrolment is better
Ensure documentation is audit-ready
Prevent penalties before they occur
This approach saves time, cost, and compliance risk.
Stay Compliant with Your Emiratisation Target
Checking your target correctly is not just about logging into a portal — it requires understanding MOHRE classifications, skilled role definitions, and annual benchmarks.
If your company is expanding, restructuring, or hiring this year, check Emiratisation target right now – before penalties appear on your file. To get more information on Emiratisation Target 2026, book an appointment with our professional PRO experts in Dubai.
