UAE: The UAE has announced a salary increase for employees on New Year’s Eve.
The UAE government has announced on the occasion of the New Year that the minimum salary of Emirati citizens working in the private sector will be 6,000 dirhams from January 1, 2026.
According to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources, these new rules will apply to all processes of issuing, renewing and amending work permits. The ministry will also send automatic messages to employers regarding salary increases through smart applications and other service channels.
In the event of non-increase in salary, no application will be issued or processed for new, renewed or amended work permits for Emirati employees with salaries below 6,000 dirhams.
The Ministry of Human Resources says that if salaries are not increased by June 30, 2026, action will be taken from July 1. Previously, the minimum salary for Emirati citizens was 5,000 dirhams.
