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
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Fragomen news
Blog post
Immigration Manager Alice Heron examines Ireland’s updated employment permit salary thresholds taking effect in March 2026, including the reintroduction of graduate-specific Minimum Annual Remuneration bands and what these changes mean for employers planning graduate recruitment in 2026 and 2027.
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Fragomen news
Blog post
Immigration Manager Alice Heron examines Ireland’s updated employment permit salary thresholds taking effect in March 2026, including the reintroduction of graduate-specific Minimum Annual Remuneration bands and what these changes mean for employers planning graduate recruitment in 2026 and 2027.
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.