Raising the minimum wage for private citizens to 6,000 dirhams

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced raising the value of the minimum wage for citizens working in the private sector to 6,000 dirhams, starting tomorrow (Thursday, January 1, 2026).

In detail, the Ministry explained that, as of January 1, 2026, the minimum salaries for citizens will be adjusted to 6,000 dirhams, and the application includes the services of “issuing a citizen’s work permit, renewing a citizen’s work permit, and amending a citizen’s work permit.”

The Ministry confirmed, through its digital platform, that it will send alert notifications through service delivery channels and the “MOHRE” smart application, noting that the value of the minimum wage for citizens in the private sector is 6,000 dirhams, starting from January 1, 2026.

The Ministry stressed that, as of January 1, 2026, it will not be permitted to print or deliver any citizen work permit application (issuance/renewal/amendment) if the salary is less than 6,000 dirhams, adding a note that the salary must be modified, if it is not modified before June 30, 2026.

She pointed out that several procedures have been implemented, starting from July 1, 2026, including not counting the citizen among the Emiratisation percentages until the salary is adjusted, and adding a restriction on the establishment “suspension of new permits due to the citizens’ salaries being less than 6,000 dirhams.”

The Ministry confirmed that the increase in the minimum wage for citizens applies only to the citizen’s work permit for two years (new, renewal, amendment), so that the citizen’s salary is not less than 6,000 dirhams as of January 1, 2026.