From September 2026, the Salary Support Scheme under the Nafis programme for UAE nationals working in the private sector will change.
The amount of support will depend on the level of education:
🎓 Higher education — up to AED 6,000 per month;
🏫 Secondary education — up to AED 4,000;
For certain categories with education below secondary level — AED 3,000–4,000.
⤵️ At the same time, existing beneficiaries will be subject to a transitional mechanism. Their support amount will automatically decrease by AED 500 every six months until it reaches the amount provided under the new system.
Salary requirements are also changing: a minimum salary threshold of AED 6,000 will apply to certain beneficiaries, while the maximum salary for participation in the Salary Support Scheme will be set at AED 20,000.
🏢 Separate transitional rules will apply to UAE nationals working in free zones.
For employers, this is important: the Nafis changes should be taken into account when planning employment costs for UAE national employees and meeting Emiratisation requirements.
The amount of support will depend on the level of education:
🎓 Higher education — up to AED 6,000 per month;
🏫 Secondary education — up to AED 4,000;
For certain categories with education below secondary level — AED 3,000–4,000.
⤵️ At the same time, existing beneficiaries will be subject to a transitional mechanism. Their support amount will automatically decrease by AED 500 every six months until it reaches the amount provided under the new system.
Salary requirements are also changing: a minimum salary threshold of AED 6,000 will apply to certain beneficiaries, while the maximum salary for participation in the Salary Support Scheme will be set at AED 20,000.
🏢 Separate transitional rules will apply to UAE nationals working in free zones.
For employers, this is important: the Nafis changes should be taken into account when planning employment costs for UAE national employees and meeting Emiratisation requirements.