The United Arab Emirates increased the salaries of employees in the private sector and set the minimum salary limit at 6000 Dirhams.
According to Arab media, the UAE has announced that the minimum salary for Emiratis working in the private sector will be 6,000 dirhams from January 1, 2026. This information was issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (Mohre). The ministry’s statement said that this minimum salary principle will also apply to the issuance, renewal, or amendment of a citizen work permit.
This minimum salary principle will only apply to two-year work permits, whether they are newly issued, renewed, or under amendment. After this date, no employer can apply for a citizen work permit if the registered salary is less than 6,000 dirhams. If the employer does not correct the salary by June 30, 2026, disciplinary action will be taken from July 1, 2026. This includes imposing a ban on companies that pay citizens a minimum salary of less than 6,000 dirhams.
It should be noted that previously, the minimum salary for Emiratis was set at 5,000 dirhams from January 1, 2025. This step has been taken to ensure the rights and standard wages of Emiratis in the private sector.
