Employing an Emirati National

27th August 2017

For UAE registered companies, employing an Emirati national is quite different to employing an Expat, so you should be aware of your obligations. Below, we have outlined some points for you to consider.

Labour Card

An Emirati employee won’t require a visa, but he or she will still need a Labour Card. The Labour Card is usually valid for a period of two years. It is a registration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) that the employee is working for a company and confirms the salary information. The Emirati employee will need to supply:

Passport copy
Original Emirates ID card
Passport sized photos on a white background
Copy of attested education certificate
Medical screening results
Salary details.

The fee is approximately AED100.

Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund Registration – Company

An organisation employing an Emirati national will need to register with the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund (ADRPBF). This is the government entity responsible for the pensions and end-of-service benefits for UAE nationals. The company will need to supply”:

A letter from their bank confirming their account details
Select and supply details of a “Super User” who will have login access to the ADRPBF website
Select and supply details of “Main Point of Contact(s)” who will receive all notifications
Details of the partners of the business

Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund Registration – Employee

It is a mandatory requirement that 5% of an Emirati National’s monthly salary is contributed to the ADRPBF. This should be deducted by the employer at the point of processing the payroll (aka. WPS). In addition, the employer is required to contribute a further 15% into the fund, monthly. The Emirati National will need to supply the following:

Medical Screening Result (see below, this is a specific requirement of the ADRPBF)
Details of previous registration with ADRPBF (if any)
Contact details
Confirmation of marital status
If married, details of the spouse and any children

Pension & Benefits Medical Screening

This is applicable for working UAE nationals who are registered with the ADRPBF. It ensures suitability for the criteria determined by the ADRPBF. The screening includes a general health questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests for communicable diseases. Depending upon the medical centre, the fee is approximately AED300.