UAE nationals working in the private sector, banking and other eligible establishments will see important changes to the Nafis programme from September 2026. The updates affect salary support, the minimum salary requirement, child allowances and the Eshtirak pension contribution programme.
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a Dh6,000 minimum gross monthly salary threshold for many Nafis beneficiaries. Eligible employees working for establishments covered by the requirement could have their Nafis support suspended if their salary falls below this amount.
The changes form part of a wider update to Nafis following the UAE’s decision to extend the programme until 2040, with a stronger focus on sustainable private-sector employment, family support and long-term career development for Emiratis.
What Are the Main UAE Nafis Program Updates From September 2026?
The September reforms centre on three main Nafis programmes: salary support, child allowances and Eshtirak pension contributions.
| Nafis support area | Change from September 2026 |
| Minimum salary | Dh6,000 minimum for beneficiaries covered by the requirement |
| University/bachelor’s degree salary support | Up to Dh6,000 per month |
| Diploma holder support | Up to Dh5,000 per month |
| High school graduate support | Up to Dh4,000 per month |
| Certain below-high-school beneficiaries | Dh3,000–Dh4,000 depending on family circumstances |
| Child allowance | Dh600 per eligible child |
| Number of children | No maximum number, subject to eligibility |
| Child allowance salary limit | Up to Dh50,000 monthly salary |
| Eshtirak | Employer must pay its own pension contribution share |
Existing beneficiaries may not experience all changes immediately because Nafis has introduced transitional arrangements for some categories.
How Is Nafis Salary Support Changing?
UAE nationals who were registered with Nafis on or before 14 August 2026 and are currently receiving more than the newly approved salary-support amounts will generally have their support reduced gradually rather than losing the additional amount immediately.
Under the revised framework, the maximum monthly support is Dh6,000 for university or bachelor’s degree holders, Dh5,000 for diploma holders and Dh4,000 for high school graduates.
Those educated below high school level can receive up to Dh4,000 if they are married or have children, while unmarried beneficiaries at this educational level who do not have children may receive up to Dh3,000.
The changes are designed to transition existing beneficiaries towards the updated Nafis support structure over time.
Employees Earning Up to Dh20,000
For beneficiaries earning up to Dh20,000 per month whose existing Nafis payments are higher than the new entitlement, support will generally decrease by Dh500 every six months until it reaches the amount allowed under the revised rules.
For example, an employee receiving an amount above the new support ceiling would not necessarily lose the excess immediately. Nafis will progressively adjust the payment according to the transition schedule.
Employees Earning Between Dh20,000 and Dh30,000
A different arrangement applies to beneficiaries earning between Dh20,000 and Dh30,000 per month.
Their salary support will be automatically reduced by Dh500 every six months until the payment reaches zero.
Nafis has said these reductions will be applied automatically, meaning affected beneficiaries generally do not need to submit a separate request for the adjustment.
Will Nafis Support Stop If Salary Is Below Dh6,000?
Yes, this is one of the most significant September 2026 changes.
Eligible beneficiaries working for private-sector or banking establishments that are subject to the UAE’s minimum wage requirement will have their Nafis support suspended if their gross monthly salary is below Dh6,000.
The Dh6,000 threshold reflects the wider UAE minimum salary rules for Emiratis working in the private sector. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation raised the minimum salary for Emirati private-sector workers to Dh6,000 from 1 January 2026, while employers with existing Emirati employees were given until 30 June 2026 to make the necessary salary adjustments.
Employers that fail to comply can face regulatory consequences. MoHRE previously confirmed that non-compliant establishments could face measures including restrictions on new work permits, while Nafis has warned that applicable administrative penalties and fines may also apply.
For employees, this means the gross salary shown through the relevant employment and wage systems becomes particularly important when determining continued Nafis eligibility.
What Happens to Nafis Support for Free Zone Employees?
Some UAE nationals working in free zones and other establishments outside the direct scope of the minimum-wage rules will receive additional time to transition.
Where the Dh6,000 minimum salary requirement does not directly apply, Nafis has established a separate phased reduction.
Affected beneficiaries will continue receiving 100% of their existing support from September 2026 until February 2027. Support then falls to approximately 70% of the previous level from March to August 2027, followed by approximately 30% from September to November 2027. After the transition period, the support ends unless the worker’s circumstances qualify under the applicable rules.
The arrangement gives affected employers and employees additional time to bring salaries into line with the Dh6,000 benchmark.
How Is the Nafis Child Allowance Changing?
Families are also receiving a significant expansion of Nafis child support.
From September 2026, eligible UAE nationals working in qualifying private-sector and banking establishments can receive Dh600 per month for each eligible child.
Importantly, Nafis has removed the previous cap on the number of children that can receive the allowance. The beneficiary’s monthly salary must generally not exceed Dh50,000.
Previously, the programme generally limited support to four children. Removing that cap means larger eligible families could receive substantially greater total monthly support.
For example, an eligible worker with five qualifying children could potentially receive Dh3,000 per month in child allowances, while six eligible children could result in Dh3,600, provided all Nafis conditions are satisfied.
How Long Is the Dh600 Child Allowance Paid?
Eligibility also depends on the child’s circumstances.
For male children, the allowance can continue until they reach the age of 21 or begin employment, whichever applies first. For female children, support can continue until they marry or begin employment.
The same child cannot receive the Nafis child allowance twice.
There are also restrictions where a beneficiary’s spouse works for a federal or local government entity. Nafis eligibility can additionally depend on employment status, salary information, pension registration and other programme requirements.
Because family circumstances differ, beneficiaries should check their individual Nafis records rather than assuming that every child will automatically qualify.
What Are the New Nafis Eshtirak Rules?
Changes are also coming to Eshtirak, the Nafis programme that provides support towards pension and social-security contributions for eligible Emiratis in the private sector.
From September 2026, Nafis support under Eshtirak will be limited to the legally prescribed contribution support available to qualifying Emiratis earning between Dh6,000 and Dh20,000 per month.
A particularly important change affects employers.
Nafis will no longer cover the employer’s own share of pension contributions. Private-sector employers will be responsible for paying the contribution legally required from them. The wider Nafis announcement also confirms that employers will assume responsibility for their share of pension contributions from September 2026.
Eligible employees must also be registered with an approved UAE pension or social-security fund. Beneficiaries generally cannot simultaneously receive a salary or pension from a federal or local government entity.
Do Existing Nafis Beneficiaries Need to Apply Again?
In most cases, beneficiaries affected by the salary-support transition do not need to submit a new application simply because the payment amount is changing.
Nafis has said that scheduled salary-support reductions will be processed automatically.
However, employees should make sure their employment information, salary details, pension registration and family information are correct within the relevant government systems. Incorrect or outdated information could potentially affect eligibility or payment calculations.
Employers also have an important role because salary compliance, pension registration and employer pension contributions can determine whether their Emirati employees continue to qualify for particular Nafis benefits.
Why Is the UAE Changing the Nafis Programme?
The changes represent a shift in the long-term purpose of Nafis.
The programme initially focused heavily on increasing the number of Emiratis entering private-sector employment. Its next phase is placing greater emphasis on career progression, sustainable employment, competitive salaries and economically productive private-sector roles.
Nafis has already contributed to the employment of more than 176,000 Emiratis, with about 152,000 working across roughly 32,000 establishments as of the end of March 2026.
At the same time, family-focused measures such as the uncapped Dh600 child allowance are intended to make private-sector careers more sustainable for Emirati households.
What Should Emirati Employees Check Before September 2026?
Employees receiving Nafis support should pay particular attention to their gross monthly salary, education level, current Nafis payment, pension registration and family information.
Anyone earning below Dh6,000 in an establishment covered by the minimum salary rules should check whether their employer has updated their employment contract and salary records. Existing beneficiaries receiving salary support above the new limits should also expect gradual Dh500 reductions where the transitional rules apply.
Free-zone employees should determine whether they fall within the separate transition arrangements, while parents receiving the child allowance should ensure eligible children and relevant family information are correctly recorded.
Conclusion
The UAE Nafis program updates from September 2026 introduce some of the programme’s most important changes in recent years. Salary support will gradually move towards new limits, Dh6,000 becomes a crucial eligibility threshold, eligible families can receive Dh600 for every qualifying child without the previous four-child cap, and employers will take responsibility for their own pension contribution share under Eshtirak.
For Emirati employees and private-sector employers, keeping salary, pension and family records accurate will be increasingly important as the new Nafis framework takes effect.
FAQs About UAE Nafis Program Updates
When Do the New Nafis Updates Take Effect?
The latest Nafis changes will take effect from September 2026, covering salary support, child allowances and Eshtirak pension contributions.
What is the Minimum Salary Required for Nafis Support?
Eligible Emiratis working for establishments covered by the minimum wage rules must generally earn at least Dh6,000 gross per month to continue receiving Nafis support.
How Much is the New Nafis Child Allowance?
Eligible beneficiaries can receive Dh600 per month for each qualifying child, provided their monthly salary does not exceed Dh50,000.
Is There a Limit on the Number of Children Covered by Nafis?
No. From September 2026, there is no maximum number of eligible children, as long as all Nafis conditions are met.
What Happens to Nafis Salary Support Above the New Limits?
Existing beneficiaries receiving more than the revised entitlement may see their support reduced by Dh500 every six months under the transitional rules.
What is Changing Under the Nafis Eshtirak Programme?
Nafis will no longer pay the employer’s share of pension contributions. Employers must pay their legally required contribution themselves.
