UAE Expands Nafis Benefits: Family Support, Private Sector Focus
UAE reshapes Nafis programme with extended 2040 goals, family benefits, and private sector emphasis.
The UAE has unveiled significant new family benefits under the Nafis programme, alongside a shift in focus towards high-value private sector roles in sectors such as banking, artificial intelligence, and real estate. This announcement follows the extension of the initiative to 2040.
One of the most impactful updates is the removal of the cap on child allowance payments for Emiratis employed in the private sector. Additionally, new benefits have been introduced for children of Emirati mothers and wives of Emirati men working in private companies.
Officials emphasized that the next phase of the programme will prioritize skills, competencies, and strategic roles, deemphasizing the earlier focus on enhancing employment numbers. “Our focus today is on competency,” said Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.
“When we talk about the quality, we have selected critical positions and also the business continuity that will be focusing on the demand that are required and the readiness of our resources to be deployed in the private sector,” Al Mazrouei stated. He identified banking, AI, real estate, and other vital industries as the key sectors for the programme.
This enhanced package features family-focused measures aligned with the UAE’s Year of Family 2026.
New Family Support Measures
The updated Nafis package includes the removal of the previous cap on the Child Allowance Scheme, which was limited to four children for Emiratis working in the private sector. Under the new measures, child allowance payments will now be made without any upper limit.
Additional support includes:
- Up to Dh3,000 monthly salary support for children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector
- Up to Dh3,000 monthly support for wives of Emirati men working in the private sector, subject to eligibility criteria
- Ongoing pension contribution support for Emiratis employed in private firms
Over 38,000 children have already benefited from the Child Allowance Scheme since the launch of Nafis. Officials highlighted goals to improve family stability, enhance quality of life, and alleviate financial pressures on households.
Salary Support Changes From September 2026
The revised salary support package will come into effect for new beneficiaries starting September 2026, while existing recipients will be gradually transitioned over a three-year period. As part of the changes, certain support levels will be reduced by Dh500 every six months until they meet updated thresholds. A standardised minimum salary threshold of Dh6,000 has also been introduced across all supported categories.
Emiratis working in free zones with salaries below the Dh6,000 threshold will be given a transition period with phased support. Currently, more than 14,000 Emiratis are employed in free zones through Nafis.
Shift From Quantity to Quality Jobs
Building on the previous phase, which focused on increasing Emirati hiring rates, officials announced that the next chapter will emphasize sustainable career paths and future-ready industries. “Our focus today is on quality and not quantity,” Al Mazrouei reiterated.
He also clarified that Nafis is intended as a talent development initiative rather than a long-term subsidy. “Nafis is not a social support programme; it was created to develop and enable young UAE nationals to be part of the private sector,” he said.
To date, the programme has facilitated training and job readiness for 7,700 Emiratis and provided healthcare-focused talent initiatives to 3,500 individuals.
Target Exceeded Early
Since its launch in September 2021, Nafis has secured private sector employment for more than 176,000 Emiratis—well ahead of the original target of 170,000 over five years. Of these, approximately 152,000 Emiratis are currently employed across more than 32,000 private establishments.
Women have been the primary beneficiaries, accounting for 74 percent of placements, while interest among Emiratis in private sector jobs has risen significantly, climbing from 15 percent to 58 percent during the initiative’s first phase.
Why Extend to 2040?
The long-term extension of Nafis aims to provide stability for workers, employers, and the broader economy. “Our leadership have a long visionary,” Al Mazrouei said, adding that the extended timeline offers “more security for the community, more security for the employer, and also for the young talented.”
Future efforts will focus on earlier preparation for private sector careers, including initiatives aimed at schools to address perceptions around working outside government roles.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.