United Arab Emirates: Companies in the Mainland Private Sector Must Adjust Emiratization Rate by December 31, 2022
November 29, 2022

Employers in the mainland private sector that have more than 50 employees must increase the number of Emirati employees in their workforce in skilled occupations by at least 2% by the end of December 2022, following the announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) in May 2022. Effective January 2023, affected companies that do not comply with this rule will be subject to a fee of AED 6,000 per month for every Emirati citizen vacancy that has not been filled; the fee will increase by AED 1,000 annually. Companies will be considered non-compliant and owe the applicable fees if they do not meet the prescribed number of employers by the following year. Further, companies will also be considered non-compliant and owe the applicable fees if their ratio of employed Emirati nationals drops below the prescribed nationalization rate and is not corrected within two months of that date. Any fees that an employer owes can be viewed and paid in the company’s MOHRE portal at the beginning of the following year; for example, fees incurred during 2023 will be due in January 2024. Affected companies that have not yet adjusted their Emiratization rate must do so by the end of December 2022 before monthly fees will be incurred. Companies should register with the UAE government partnership program, ‘Nafis’, and consider the initiatives in place to support companies seeking eligible UAE national job candidates.
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

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".