The federal Nafis program, which was launched to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati talent and increase their employment and contribution in the private sector, has confirmed that its latest support updates are designed to strengthen professional empowerment rather than reduce the state’s commitment to citizens working in private companies. The program emphasized that Nafis support was never intended to be permanent financial assistance, but rather a tool to help citizens during a transitional phase as they build skills, grow in their careers, and move toward long-term professional stability.
According to Nafis, when a beneficiary’s salary rises above AED 20,000, this reflects clear career progress and shows that the individual has benefited from the opportunities created through the program. In that sense, the updated support structure aligns with the broader purpose of Nafis, which is to help Emiratis advance professionally and become more competitive in the private sector. The program also explained that these adjustments come alongside wider labor market developments, including minimum wage decisions, which are intended to improve job and financial stability for Emiratis working in private sector roles.
In its response to frequently asked questions related to the extension of the program until 2040, Nafis said that the new updates, set to take effect from September 2026, will be implemented through a gradual and automatic system. Support amounts will be adjusted downward by AED 500 every six months, giving beneficiaries enough time to adapt and plan financially. This phased approach highlights an effort to make the transition smooth, predictable, and manageable.
The program also stressed that the revised framework is not based on reducing support for one group in order to benefit another. Instead, it is part of a broader development of the Nafis system and an effort to expand its social and economic impact in line with changing community needs. Nafis said the updated mechanisms were developed through a comprehensive study that considered program sustainability, job stability, and the importance of widening access while continuing to support Emiratis employed in the private sector.
One of the most notable aspects of the new update is the inclusion of additional groups such as Emirati mothers’ children and the wives of Emirati citizens. Nafis explained that these groups are an integral part of the national social fabric and that including them is consistent with the UAE’s Year of the Family 2026 and the National Agenda for Family Growth 2031. The expansion reflects a wider national direction aimed at strengthening family cohesion and enhancing social and economic stability.
The program added that the AED 3,000 support amount set for these newly included groups was based on detailed studies that took into account salary levels in the private sector and the nature of the targeted beneficiaries. This, according to Nafis, supports the broader goal of making private sector employment more attractive while contributing to greater job stability. Eligibility conditions, including salary thresholds, academic qualifications, and years of marriage, were also set to ensure that support reaches those who genuinely qualify.
Nafis further noted that expanding eligibility does not weaken the program’s original purpose. Rather, it reflects the program’s ability to evolve in line with current national priorities and social needs. The inclusion of Emirati mothers’ children and citizens’ wives also follows the same broader national approach that already provides support to these groups in essential sectors such as health and education, making their inclusion in Nafis a natural extension of that policy direction.
On special or exceptional cases, the program said eligibility continues to depend on UAE nationality status based on official records approved by the relevant authorities. At the same time, certain cases can be reviewed individually and in coordination with the concerned entities, ensuring fairness and compliance with applicable laws while also taking social and humanitarian considerations into account.
Nafis also reaffirmed that its support is not meant to be treated as a fixed or permanent part of monthly income. Instead, it is a temporary empowerment tool intended to help beneficiaries establish a stronger and more sustainable career path. Alongside the financial support, the program continues to offer a range of initiatives that support academic and professional development, helping Emiratis improve their skills, strengthen their job prospects, and build long-term career stability. It also pointed to minimum wage measures and pension registration requirements as signs of a stronger policy direction toward greater job protection for citizens in the private sector.
The latest Nafis updates reflect a balanced approach that places professional empowerment, family stability, and sustainable workforce development at the center of policy. By continuing to support Emiratis in the private sector while expanding eligibility in a structured way, the program reinforces its role as a long-term national initiative aligned with the UAE’s broader development vision.
