United Arab Emirates: Stricter Fines for Circumventing the Emiratization Requirements Introduced
October 3, 2024
Update - October 3, 2024: This amount has increased to AED 8,000 per month, and will increase annually by AED 1,000.
May 10, 2023: The UAE government has added a new item to the list of administrative fines for violations of regulations related to Emiratization programs, including the Nafis scheme. Per the new law, employers that changed the professional classification of their workers (i.e., from a skilled to an unskilled category) or purposely reduced the number of workers in their employ with the intention to circumvent the prescribed Emiratization targets, will be subject to a fine of AED 100,000 for the initial violation, or AED 300,000 for a second violation, or AED 500,000 for a third violation or beyond. Additionally, the employer will be required to meet the required nationalization targets based on the status of the company prior to the violation. The announcement comes just over a month before the June 30, 2023 deadline that private-sector companies with 50 or more employees must abide by to achieve at least 1% of their annual nationalization target. Employers that do not comply with the rule will be subject to a penalty of AED 7,000 per month for each vacancy that has not been filled with an Emirati worker.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.
Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.
Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post