
Building A Stronger Future For The UAE
Emiratisation Recruitment

Emiratisation Recruitment
Whether your business looking for hiring Emirati talent or you'e an Emirati looking for a new role, we are here to help.
Why partner with First Point Group's Emiratisation team?
Our advice and real-time insights are invaluable to both Emirati talent and businesses seeking to recruit Emiratis. With the UAE governmental targets incrementally increasing each year, we work hard to identify not only the current talent pool but the next generation of UAE talent. We regularly exhibit at UAE-based university fairs to educate Emirati undergraduates about the working life. What this means for UAE-based businesses is that we have access to a growing talent pool. From initial discussions to placements, we work collaboratively with businesses and candidates to understand their respective goals and chart the best path to achieving this.
What sectors do our Emiratisation team recruit into?
Whilst First Point Group traditionally operates within telecoms, technology, data center and renewables (and we love doing that), we place Emirati candidates into a variety of disciplines and industries. From sales to engineering, procurement to business support, financial positions, to Legal and HR, our team has experience across multiple disciplines. Contact us for more information.
My company is recruiting Emirati talent, how do I submit a job vacancy?
It's really simple, you can contact us directly by uploading your job vacancy here..
H1 2025 - Emiratisation Progress Update
Progress Update
By the end of 2024, the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector surpassed 131,000, exceeding the initial target of 75,000 set for 2026. This growth reflects a more than 200% increase since the program's inception. Notably, there has been a shift in preferences among Emiratis, particularly youth and women, who are increasingly recognising the private sector as a viable avenue for career growth and entrepreneurial development
Expanded Targets and Compliance
To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has implemented annual Emiratisation targets. Companies with 50 or more employees are required to achieve a 2% annual increase in the employment of Emiratis in skilled positions, aiming for a 10% representation by 2026. Additionally, establishments with 20 to 49 employees in specific sectors were mandated to hire at least one Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025. (knowledge.dlapiper.com).
Non-compliance with these targets resulted in financial penalties, starting at AED 96,000 per unfilled position, increasing annually. Conversely, companies that meet or exceeded their targets benefit from incentives, including up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees and priority in government procurement processes. (auxiliumservices.com)
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), 1,379 private companies were identified and fined for "attempting to circumvent" Emiratisation targets and engaging in "fake Emiratisation" between mid-2022 and May 16, 2024. These companies unlawfully hired 2,170 UAE nationals in fictitious roles.
Recruitment Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress, recruitment challenges remain. Some companies struggle to align Emirati candidates with specific skill requirements, and there is a need for more robust career development pathways to retain Emirati talent. However, the government's continued support through programs like NAFIS, which offers salary subsidies, training, and job matching services, provides a framework for overcoming these hurdles.At First Point Group we have assist many companies reach and even surpass their Emiratisation target. Organisations that we have worked with often experience the following challenges when it comes to Emiratisation:
- Limited candidate pool on job portals
- High in demand so retaining talent is a big challenge
- Career development for the talented emiratis.
Ready to discuss Emiratisation recruitment?
Are you finding it challenging to hire local Emirati talent? We're here to help. With a large and growing network of skilled Emirati candidates, our team in Dubai will help identify the right talent for your organisation.