The UAE has officially extended the Nafis programme until 2040 to give Emirati citizens more long-term support, more private sector job opportunities, and stronger family benefits. The biggest changes include unlimited child allowance, new support for children of Emirati mothers, and salary assistance for wives of Emirati citizens working in the private sector.
Key takeaways:
- Nafis will now continue until 2040 instead of ending in 2026
- The children’s allowance no longer has a limit on the number of children
- New salary support has been approved for more Emirati families
- More than 176,000 Emiratis have already found jobs through Nafis
- Women now make up 74% of Nafis beneficiaries
- More than 32,000 UAE companies are participating in the programme
- The extension is designed to make Emiratisation more sustainable and family-focused for the long term
What Is the Nafis Programme and Why Was It Created?
The Nafis programme is a UAE government initiative launched in September 2021 to help Emirati citizens build careers in the private sector. It was introduced under the Projects of the 50 and managed by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC).
The programme was created because many Emiratis traditionally preferred public sector jobs, while private companies relied heavily on expatriate workers. Nafis was designed to change that by making private sector work more attractive, stable, and rewarding.
Through financial support, training, job matching, and career guidance, Nafis helps Emiratis enter industries such as banking, technology, healthcare, retail, and business services. It also helps companies meet Emiratisation targets while reducing the cost of hiring national talent.
The programme originally aimed to place 170,000 Emiratis in private sector jobs and was launched with a budget of AED 24 billion. That target has already been reached ahead of schedule, which is one reason the government decided to continue the programme until 2040.
Why Has the Nafis Programme Been Extended Until 2040?
The Nafis programme has been extended because the UAE government believes Emiratisation needs long-term support, not short-term action. By extending the programme until 2040, the UAE is giving Emirati citizens and businesses greater certainty about the future.
The extension also reflects the government’s wider goal of creating a more balanced labour market where Emiratis play a larger role in the private sector. Since the programme has already exceeded many of its original goals, the leadership wants to build on that success rather than stop in 2026.
The UAE also wants to strengthen family stability alongside employment. That is why the 2040 extension includes new family-focused measures introduced during the Year of Family 2026.
The main reasons behind the extension include:
- Continuing support for Emirati talent over the next 14 years
- Making private sector careers more attractive for young Emiratis
- Helping companies continue meeting Emiratisation requirements
- Expanding support for families, especially women and children
- Preparing the UAE economy for future workforce needs
As Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed said, “We are extending the Nafis programme until 2040, making it a cornerstone in empowering our national talent and preparing them to meet the challenges ahead. This ensures the sustainability of the UAE’s economic and social advancement.”
What Are the Biggest Changes in the Nafis Programme for 2026 and Beyond?
The biggest update to the Nafis programme is that it is no longer only about jobs. From 2026 onward, the programme is also focused on family support, long-term stability, and helping more Emiratis stay in private sector careers.
The UAE approved several new measures during the ETCC board meeting at Qasr Al Watan. These changes were introduced to match the goals of the Year of Family 2026 and to remove some of the biggest barriers that families faced when joining the private sector.
How Has the Children’s Allowance Changed Under Nafis?
Previously, the Nafis child allowance was limited to a certain number of children. Under the new rules, that cap has been removed completely.
This means if you qualify for the Nafis child allowance, you can now receive support for all eligible children, not just a limited number. The change is intended to reduce financial pressure on larger Emirati families and make private sector work more practical for parents.
The updated child allowance is expected to help many families who were previously receiving only partial support.
The change offers several benefits:
- No maximum number of eligible children
- Higher total support for larger families
- Greater financial stability for Emiratis working in private companies
- Stronger encouragement for parents to remain in private sector jobs
One Emirati parent working in the private sector described the update simply: “Before this change, I had to calculate which costs were covered and which were not. Now I feel that the programme finally understands the real needs of larger families. It gives me more confidence to stay in my job.”
The government says the expanded child allowance reflects the UAE’s belief that strong families are the foundation of society. More than 38,000 children have already received support through the scheme.
What New Support Is Available for Children of Emirati Mothers?
For the first time, the Nafis programme now includes a dedicated salary support scheme for the children of Emirati mothers who work in the private sector.
This is one of the most important changes announced in 2026 because it expands eligibility to groups that previously received less direct support. The new measure recognises that Emirati mothers working in private companies often face the same financial and family pressures as other beneficiaries.
Although the government has not yet released the exact payment amounts or eligibility conditions, officials confirmed that the scheme will provide salary support linked to employment in the private sector.
The likely purpose of the new programme is to:
- Encourage more Emirati mothers to remain in private sector careers
- Improve financial support for their children
- Create greater equality across different family situations
- Strengthen long-term family stability
Ghannam Al Mazrouei said, “Since its launch in September 2021, Nafis has delivered results that have exceeded every target we set. But these achievements are just the beginning.” He also confirmed that full details of the new family programmes will be announced later.
How Will the New Salary Support for Wives of Emirati Citizens Work?
Another major update is a new salary support programme for wives of Emirati citizens who work in the private sector.
The UAE government introduced this measure because many families depend on two incomes, especially in larger households. By supporting wives who work in private companies, the programme aims to reduce financial pressure and increase workforce participation.
The full rules have not yet been published, but the programme is expected to work in a similar way to other Nafis salary support initiatives. Eligible participants may receive monthly financial assistance on top of their salary.
The likely goals of the programme include:
- Making private sector jobs more attractive for women
- Helping families manage childcare and living costs
- Increasing female participation in the labour market
- Supporting households with long-term financial security
This is particularly important because women already represent most Nafis beneficiaries. Around 74% of everyone benefiting from Nafis today is female.
As Sheikh Mansour explained, “This extension speaks to the strategic importance of Nafis as a national instrument for advancing Emiratisation, deepening collaboration between the public and private sectors, and providing a dynamic and stable work environment for our citizens.”
How Does the Nafis Programme Help Emiratis Find Private Sector Jobs?
Nafis helps Emiratis find jobs by connecting them directly with employers and providing financial incentives that make hiring easier for companies.
Through the Nafis platform, Emirati job seekers can search for vacancies, apply for training programmes, and receive career guidance. Companies can also post vacancies and access a pool of qualified Emirati candidates. The programme supports both fresh graduates and experienced professionals.
It covers industries such as:
- Banking and finance
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Retail and hospitality
- Engineering and business services
Nafis also gives employers financial support, which reduces the cost of recruiting Emirati talent. In many cases, salary top-ups, pension support, and training subsidies are included.
The programme helps Emiratis prepare for work by offering:
- Career counselling
- Professional coaching
- On-the-job training
- Internship and apprenticeship opportunities
- Skills programmes linked to future industries
A major reason Nafis has worked so well is that it does not only help people get a job. It also helps them stay in that job and build a long-term career in the private sector.
Which Nafis Benefits and Incentives Can You Receive Today?
Nafis offers more than one type of support. If you are eligible, you may receive financial help, training opportunities, child allowances, pension support, or unemployment assistance. The programme is designed to make private sector work more secure and more attractive than before.
What Is Included in the Nafis Salary Support Scheme?
The Nafis salary support scheme gives Emirati employees extra monthly income on top of the salary they receive from their employer.
The amount usually depends on your qualification level and your job. The government provides these top-ups for several years to make private sector jobs more financially competitive.
The scheme may include:
- Monthly salary support for new private sector employees
- Additional support for university graduates
- Long-term salary top-ups for up to five years
- New 2026 support for wives of Emirati citizens and children of Emirati mothers
For many Emiratis, this support helps reduce the difference between public and private sector salaries.
How Do the Child Allowance, Pension, and Unemployment Benefits Work?
The Nafis programme also includes several forms of family and financial protection. The child allowance provides monthly support for children of eligible employees. As of 2026, there is no longer a cap on the number of children covered.
Pension support helps private sector employers contribute toward Emirati employees’ pensions. This lowers the cost for companies and protects employees over the long term.
There is also an unemployment benefit programme. If you lose your job in the private sector, Nafis may provide temporary financial support while you search for another position.
Current support includes:
- Child allowance for all eligible children
- Pension contribution support
- Temporary unemployment payments
- Additional support for families introduced in 2026
These benefits are designed to give you more confidence when moving into the private sector.
Which Training and Career Development Programmes Are Available?
Nafis does not only provide money. It also provides training and career development to help you succeed in the workplace. The programme includes several specialist pathways that prepare Emiratis for jobs in important sectors.
Popular training initiatives include:
- The National Healthcare Programme
- Kafa’at training
- Khebra work experience programme
- Apprenticeship and internship schemes
- Professional mentoring and career guidance
Around 3,500 Emiratis have already benefited from the National Healthcare Programme. Another 7,700 have completed Kafa’at, Khebra, and other employment training programmes.
These programmes are especially useful if you are entering the private sector for the first time or want to move into a higher-skilled role.
Who Can Apply for Nafis and Are You Eligible?
You can apply for Nafis if you are an Emirati citizen and either looking for work or already employed in the UAE private sector.
The programme is available to a wide range of people, including recent graduates, experienced professionals, women returning to work, and employees who want additional support.
You may be eligible if you are:
- A UAE national aged 18 or older
- Working in a private company or looking for a private sector job
- Registered through the Nafis platform using UAE Pass
- Employed in a company that meets programme requirements
Some specific benefits also have separate rules.
For example:
- Child allowance is only available to eligible parents
- Salary support may depend on your job type and salary level
- New 2026 family support schemes may require proof of relationship and employment status
If you already work in the private sector, you may still qualify for Nafis support. Many people incorrectly believe that the programme only helps first-time job seekers, but that is not true. The easiest way to check your eligibility is to create an account on the Nafis platform and review the programmes available to you.
How Has Nafis Performed Since Its Launch in 2021?
Nafis has performed better than the government originally expected. When the programme began in 2021, the goal was to place 170,000 Emiratis into private sector jobs over several years.
By the end of March 2026, more than 176,000 Emiratis had already been employed through Nafis. Around 152,000 remain active beneficiaries working across more than 32,000 companies.
The programme has also expanded into training, healthcare, and family support. Tens of thousands of Emiratis have completed development programmes or received financial assistance.
These results show that private sector employment is becoming more attractive to Emiratis than before. They also explain why the government decided not to end Nafis in 2026.
The original target was exceeded ahead of schedule, making Nafis one of the UAE’s most successful Emiratisation programmes.
Why Are More Emirati Women Benefiting From Nafis?
Women now represent 74% of all Nafis beneficiaries, which shows how strongly the programme is helping Emirati women enter and stay in the private sector.
There are several reasons for this. Nafis offers salary support, child allowances, flexible career programmes, and new family-focused benefits that make private sector work more practical for women.
The new 2026 changes are especially important because they include support for wives of Emirati citizens and for children of Emirati mothers. These measures recognise that many women want to build careers without sacrificing family stability.
Many Emirati women also see private sector jobs as offering faster career growth, leadership opportunities, and more flexible working arrangements than traditional roles.
Because of these changes, more women are choosing careers in sectors such as banking, healthcare, technology, and business services. The extension to 2040 is expected to increase female participation even further over the next decade.
How Are UAE Companies Contributing to the Success of Nafis?
Private companies are one of the main reasons Nafis has succeeded. More than 32,000 companies across the UAE now employ Emiratis through the programme.
Businesses are helping by creating new jobs, offering training, and working more closely with the government to meet Emiratisation goals.
Companies are expected to:
- Increase the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs each year
- Register on the Nafis platform
- Provide genuine career opportunities
- Support employees through training and mentoring
Many companies also receive benefits for taking part, including:
- Salary support for Emirati employees
- Pension rebates
- Reduced government service fees
- Access to qualified candidates through the Nafis platform
Larger companies with 50 or more employees must continue increasing their Emirati workforce each year. Smaller companies in key sectors also have hiring targets.
Without company participation, Nafis would not have reached its employment targets so quickly. The programme has become a partnership between government and business rather than a government policy alone.
What Is the Nafis Leadership Programme and Why Does It Matter?
The Nafis Leadership Programme is a specialist development programme designed to prepare Emirati professionals for leadership roles in the private sector.
The second group of 25 participants graduated in April 2026. The programme was organised by the ETCC together with the UAE Government Leaders Programme.
Participants completed workshops, leadership sessions, and meetings with experts from different industries. The aim was to help them develop practical skills, creativity, and confidence.
The programme matters because the UAE does not only want Emiratis to enter the private sector. It also wants them to become future managers, executives, and business leaders.
By investing in leadership training now, the UAE hopes to create a stronger national workforce by 2040 and beyond.
What Does the Nafis Programme Extended 2040 Mean for Your Future?
The extension of the Nafis programme means you are likely to have more support, more time, and more opportunities if you want to work in the private sector.
Instead of ending in 2026, the programme will now continue for another 14 years. That gives you greater confidence that financial support and training programmes will still be available in the future.
If you are a student, graduate, parent, or already working in a private company, the extension could help you build a more secure career path.
It also means the UAE is likely to continue increasing Emiratisation in future industries such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, and business services.
For many Emiratis, Nafis 2040 is not just a jobs programme. It is a long-term promise that the private sector will become a more realistic and rewarding option.
What Are the Facts, Proposed Changes, and Common Misunderstandings About Nafis?
There is a lot of information about Nafis, but not all of it is accurate. It is important to separate confirmed facts from changes that are still being discussed.
Confirmed facts include:
- Nafis has officially been extended until 2040
- The child allowance cap has been removed
- New support programmes for children of Emirati mothers and wives of Emirati citizens have been approved
- More than 176,000 Emiratis have benefited already
There are also some details that have not yet been announced.
For example, the government has not yet confirmed:
- The exact payment amounts for the new family support programmes
- The full eligibility conditions
- When every new measure will begin
A common misunderstanding is that Nafis only helps young graduates. In reality, the programme also supports experienced workers, women, parents, and people already employed in private companies.
Another common myth is that Nafis is ending soon. That was true before the recent announcement, but it is no longer correct because the programme now runs until 2040.
Conclusion
The Nafis programme extended 2040 is one of the UAE’s most important decisions for the future of Emiratisation. Instead of ending in 2026, the programme will continue helping Emiratis build careers in the private sector for many more years.
The new changes go beyond employment. They focus on stronger families, better financial support, and more opportunities for women and children. With unlimited child allowance, new salary support schemes, and continued training, the programme is becoming more practical for everyday life.
Most importantly, the extension shows that the UAE wants Emiratis to see the private sector as a long-term career choice, not a temporary option. If you are planning your future, Nafis 2040 could give you more confidence, more support, and more opportunities than ever before.
FAQs
Can you apply for Nafis if you already work in the private sector?
Yes, you can still apply for Nafis even if you already have a private sector job. Many current employees qualify for salary support, child allowance, pension support, or training programmes.
Will the Nafis programme continue after 2040?
The UAE government has only officially confirmed that the Nafis programme will continue until 2040. There has been no announcement yet about whether it will be extended again after that date.
Does Nafis only benefit Emirati men?
No, Nafis supports both Emirati men and women working in the private sector. In fact, women currently make up around 74% of all Nafis beneficiaries.
Are there any new Nafis benefits for families in 2026?
Yes, the 2026 update introduced several new family-focused benefits. These include an uncapped child allowance, support for children of Emirati mothers, and salary support for wives of Emirati citizens.
Can small businesses in the UAE participate in Nafis?
Yes, small businesses can also participate in the Nafis programme if they meet the required conditions. Many smaller companies receive salary support and access to qualified Emirati candidates through the platform.
What is the difference between Nafis and Emiratisation?
Emiratisation is the wider UAE policy that increases the number of Emiratis working in the private sector. Nafis is one of the main government programmes created to help achieve that goal through financial support and training.
How do you register for the Nafis programme online?
You can register through the official Nafis platform using your UAE Pass account. Once you sign in, you can check your eligibility and apply for the programmes that match your situation.
Does Nafis provide training as well as salary support?
Yes, Nafis includes both financial support and career development programmes. You can access training, mentoring, apprenticeships, healthcare programmes, and job placement support.
