If you are a UAE citizen working in the private sector, or an employer hiring Emirati talent, a major update to labour rules is worth your attention as it directly affects salaries, contracts, and compliance from the start of 2026.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has confirmed a new minimum wage for UAE citizens in private sector employment, setting the baseline salary at AED 6,000 per month. This applies not only to new hires, but also to existing employment arrangements where salaries fall below the updated threshold.
The rule will come into effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
It is also important to note that UAE law does not define a minimum wage for non-Emirati workers. Instead, regulations state that salaries must be sufficient to cover an employee’s basic needs, leaving them to be determined by contracts and market conditions.
Beyond updates in labour policies, the country continues to strengthen its global standing. The UAE passport ranks among the world’s top ten strongest, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries and territories, including Japan.
Stay tuned for more updates and important developments in the country.
