The updates include Amendments to the Child Allowance Scheme and expansion of Salary Support Scheme to include children of female nationals and wives of male nationals in the private sector, in line with the Year of Family

• The Child Allowance Scheme for Emiratis in the private sector will now be disbursed without an upper limit on the number of children, reinforcing family stability and improving quality of life
• The scheme offers up to AED 3,000 monthly financial support for children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector
• Also included is up to AED 3,000 in financial support under the Salary Support scheme for wives of Emirati men working in the private sector
• A minimum salary threshold of AED 6,000 set for eligibility across Salary Support Scheme
• Updating support packages in the Salary Support Scheme for nationals employed in the private sector
• The new programs and updates will take effect in September 2026 for new beneficiaries, with a phased rollout for existing beneficiaries over up to three years.

HE Ghannam Al Mazrouei:

• The extension of the Nafis program reflects the leadership’s forward-looking vision, which places people at the centre of development priorities
• Nafis has strengthened the sustainability of Emiratisation and enhanced the competitiveness of Emirati talent in the private sector
• Investment in national talent remains a cornerstone of the future economy

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 14 April 2026: The Emirates Competitiveness Council (ETCC) announced significant enhancements to the Nafis program, following its recent extension through 2040. These updates underscore the UAE leadership’s commitment to empowering citizens, strengthening Emirati families, and building a resilient national framework capable of adapting to economic and social shifts.

The extension is accompanied by several substantive updates. These include amendments to the Child Allowance Scheme for UAE nationals employed in the private sector, removing the cap on the number of eligible children. The scope of support has been expanded to include the children of female nationals working in the private sector, as well as the spouses of nationals employed in this sector. These aim to reinforce the program’s social and economic impact, improve quality of life, and support family stability, in line with the objectives of the Year of Family 2026.

The extension of the Nafis program reaffirms its position as a key national initiative for empowering Emirati talent. Since its launch approximately five years ago, the program has achieved notable success, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting the stability of nationals employed in the private sector and in strengthening the competitiveness of the national workforce. The progress of Nafis aligns closely with the nation’s priorities and long-term vision.

His Excellency Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the ETCC, affirmed that the extension of the Nafis programme until 2040, along with the accompanying qualitative updates, reflects the forward-looking vision of the wise leadership in reinforcing investment in people and strengthening the stability of the Emirati family as two fundamental pillars of sustainable development.

His Excellency also stated that these updates, which include expanding the child allowance without a limit and introducing salary support scheme for the chilcdren of Emirati women working in the private sector and the wives of Emirati nationals working in the private sector, embody an advanced national approach to building a more inclusive and flexible support system. This contributes to reinforcing the sustainability of Emiratisation, enhancing the competitiveness of national talent, and strengthening the readiness of the labour market to meet the requirements of the future.

Strengthening Family Stability

During its meeting held last week, the Board of Directors of the ETCC approved amendments to the Child Allowance Scheme for Emirati nationals working in the private sector, removing the previous cap on the number of eligible children. The Board also approved the introduction of a Salary Support Scheme for children of Emirati mothers who are employed in the private sector, as well as a Salary Support Scheme for wives of Emirati nationals working in the private sector. These accompany adjustments to the eligibility criteria for existing initiatives and programs, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to strengthening family stability, enabling all segments of society to play an active role in the labor market, and supporting the nation’s economic development.

The latest updates to the Nafis program signify a strategic shift aimed at developing a more flexible, inclusive and mature implementation framework. This is better equipped to respond to economic and social changes. The programme now offers integrated financial support mechanisms that consider academic qualifications, social circumstances, and family factors, while accommodating the diversity of target groups and various sectors involved. This reinforces the program’s role in supporting employed Emiratis, enhancing the presence of national talent in the labor market, and promoting both job and family stability within a comprehensive and sustainable national framework.

Child Allowance Scheme

The amendment to the Child Allowance Scheme for Emirati nationals working in the private sector removes the previous cap on the number of eligible children. This change reflects a social and humanitarian approach that more comprehensively addresses the needs of Emirati families. It strengthens the direct impact of financial support on families, which are the fundamental unit of society. Additionally, this adjustment provides greater flexibility for Emirati families and underscores that the program considers not only employment‑related factors but also the relationship between professional stability and family stability. Ultimately, this contributes to an improved quality of life and enhanced social reassurance for beneficiaries.

Expanding the Support Framework

The scope of Nafis support has been expanded to include the children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector, as well as the wives of Emirati nationals working in the private sector. This expansion reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to developing a comprehensive national support system that adapts to societal changes and reflects the leadership’s vision of strengthening family stability and enhancing the competitiveness of national talent. By broadening the base of beneficiaries, the program creates more opportunities for professional empowerment and supports the long‑term employment of Emirati nationals in the private sector, particularly by alleviating family‑related financial burdens.

The program has set specific eligibility criteria for salary support for children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector. These include a monthly salary between AED 6,000 and AED 20,000, and holding at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Salary support under this program may reach up to AED 3,000 per month.

For the Salary Support Scheme for the wives of Emirati nationals in the private sector, eligibility includes a monthly salary between AED 6,000 and AED 15,000, and holding at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Additional conditions include having at least two children or having been married for no less than five years, and the husband must also be an Emirati employed in either the private or public sector. Applications are also accepted if the husband is retired or unable to work for certified medical reasons.

Exempt from the conditions related to the number of children and 5 years of marriage if two years of marriage have passed, are Medical professionals (with medical degrees), teaching staff, and female PhD holders provided that their degree is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research from a top 500 global university in their specialization, or if they possess practical experience in vital labor market roles. Salary support under this program may also reach up to AED 3,000 per month.

Standardising the Minimum Salary Requirement for Support Eligibility

To enhance career and financial stability for Emirati nationals in the private sector, and in line with the Cabinet’s minimum wage decision, the minimum salary for Nafis program support eligibility has been standardized at AED 6,000 per month for all eligible categories.

Under the updated framework, the maximum monthly financial support for Emirati salaries in the private sector will be AED 6,000 for bachelor’s degree holders, AED 5,000 for diploma holders, and AED 4,000 for secondary school graduates. For those with below secondary education, support will be set at AED 4,000 for married individuals or those with dependants, and AED 3,000 for unmarried individuals or those without dependents, provided that the monthly salary does not exceed AED 20,000.

Mechanism for Implementing the Emirati Nationals Salary Support Scheme

The new framework of benefits is scheduled to take effect from September 2026 for new beneficiaries, while existing recipients of the private sector Salary Support Scheme for Emirati nationals will be transitioned gradually, ensuring a phased implementation that considers the different eligible categories and safeguards a smooth adjustment process.

Under the revised mechanism, support levels will be adjusted automatically from September 2026, with a reduction of AED 500 every six months until reaching the level specified under the new policy.

For private-sector employees outside the scope of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank of the UAE, including those working in free zones, a gradual adjustment mechanism will be applied to them if the monthly salary is below the approved minimum, within the categories not subject to minimum wage decisions. They shall be eligible to benefit from the support upon correcting the salary to the approved minimum level of AED 6,000, whereby the citizen will receive 100% of the current support value for six months starting from September 2026, then 70% of the current support value for an additional six months, followed by 30% of the support value for three months.

Pension Contribution Support Scheme for Emirati Nationals

The Nafis Program will continue to cover pension fund contributions for Emiratis employed in the private sector registered under the “Subscription” scheme. From September 2026 onwards, private sector employers will also assume responsibility for paying their share of pension contributions for Emirati employees enrolled in the programme.

Key Achievements

Since its launch, the Nafis Program has delivered significant results, contributing to the employment of more than 176,000 Emiratis. Of these, 152,000 beneficiaries are currently employed across 32,000 establishments as of the end of March, enabling the program to achieve its target ahead of schedule.

In terms of women’s and family empowerment, women accounted for 74% of total beneficiaries in the private sector. In parallel, more than 38,000 children have benefited from the Child Allowance Scheme, while the program has successfully expanded its reach across the country.

In the area of training and professional development, around 3,500 Emirati nationals have benefited from the National Healthcare Program. A further 7,700 participants have enrolled in the “Competencies”, “Experience”, and “Training for Employment” programs, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance the readiness of national talent and align their skills with future labor market needs.

Launched in September 2021 with a budget of AED 24 billion over five years, the Nafis program aims to employ 170,000 Emiratis in the private sector. The initiative forms part of the second set of “Projects of the 50”, launched by the Government of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen the national economy and drive qualitative development across the country.

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About the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council:

The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) was established under the guidance of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pursuant to Federal Law No. (27) of 2021. The council is responsible for implementing the government’s “Nafis” program, which supports the integration of Emiratis into the private sector. It focuses on developing and executing long-term strategies to train and develop national human capital, providing innovative training and guidance programs to enhance the competitiveness of Emiratis in the labour market.

The council’s vision is rooted in building a workforce capable of leading a prosperous Emirati economy. Its mission centres around empowering and equipping individuals through an integrated system based on partnerships, innovation, and integrity.

The council focuses on sustainable employment, increasing the attractiveness of the private sector, and fostering a flexible work environment that is future-oriented and aligns with global economic transformations. For more information, visit: etcc.gov.ae

About Nafis:

The “Nafis” program is a federal government initiative launched in September 2021 as part of the “Projects of the 50,” serving as a national catalyst for human capital development in the UAE. The program aims to enhance the competitive efficiency of Emirati talents and enable their effective integration into the private sector.

“Nafis” focuses on building sustainable partnerships between the public and private sectors, enhancing the attractiveness of the private sector, and providing financial support, training, and career counselling programs to ensure the development of productive and sustainable Emirati human capital.

“Nafis” targets Emirati job seekers and employees in the private sector, free zones, and the financial and insurance industries. It offers a range of initiatives to support national talent, including salary support, a pension program, a child allowance scheme, apprenticeship support, talent development programs, a national healthcare program, career counselling, on-the-job training, and other empowerment and skills development initiatives. For more information, visit: nafis.gov.ae.