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UAE Raises Minimum Private-Sector Salary for Emiratis to Dh6,000 From 2026

New rule kicks in January 1, 2026, and employers won’t be able to process permits below the new pay floor.

  • Publish date: since 6 hours Reading time: 1 min read
UAE Raises Minimum Private-Sector Salary for Emiratis to Dh6,000 From 2026

The UAE is officially giving Emirati salaries in the private sector a boost.

From January 1, 2026, Emiratis working in private companies must be paid at least Dh6,000, according to an update from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre). The announcement first appeared on the Mohre smart app and was later confirmed by the ministry.

Here’s what you need to know — without the extra noise.

The New Minimum Salary Rule

Starting January 1, 2026, Dh6,000 becomes the minimum salary for Emiratis employed in the private sector.
This applies to issuing, renewing, or amending citizen work permits.

If the salary listed is below Dh6,000, the application simply won’t go through.

What Happens to Employers Who Don’t Comply?

Mohre will send alerts through its official service channels and app, reminding employers to update salaries.

If companies don’t fix the salary by June 30, 2026, things get stricter from July 1, 2026:

  • The Emirati employee won’t count toward Emiratisation quotas

  • The company may be blocked from issuing new work permits

In short: no salary update, no smooth business operations.

Who Does This Apply To?

The Dh6,000 minimum wage applies to citizen work permits with a two-year validity, whether they are:

  • Newly issued

  • Renewed

  • Amended

The rule officially takes effect on January 1, 2026.

How This Compares to the Previous Rule

Before this update, Emiratis hired from January 1, 2025 had a minimum salary requirement of Dh5,000. Employers who didn’t meet that threshold also risked restrictions.

This new move raises the bar — and tightens enforcement.

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