How to Improve Your ICV Score in the UAE
Last updated: June 2026
An ICV score can be improved by increasing activity in any of the six weighted components: Emiratisation wages, expatriate wages, in-country procurement, fixed asset investment, technology transfer and R&D, and training. The highest-impact levers are Emiratisation and redirecting procurement spend to UAE-certified suppliers.
Understand Your Current Score Breakdown
Before improving your score, obtain the component breakdown from your certifying body. Most companies find their score concentrated in one or two components with significant headroom in others.
Strategy 1–3: Workforce Levers
- Hire UAE nationals — Emiratisation wages carry the highest weighting of all six components. Note: from July 2026, UAE nationals earning below AED 6,000/month no longer count toward the score.
- Relocate expatriate roles into the UAE — salaries paid to UAE-based expatriate staff count; offshore staff do not
- Invest in training UAE nationals — training spend on Emiratis counts toward the training component
Strategy 4–6: Procurement Levers
- Switch spend to ICV-certified suppliers — procurement from certified suppliers contributes at the supplier's own ICV score rate; uncertified suppliers contribute zero. Search 9,000+ certified suppliers →
- Ask existing suppliers to get certified — a supplier moving from uncertified to 70% certified converts your entire spend with them into ICV credit
- Consolidate spend with high-ICV suppliers — a supplier with a 90% score contributes 3x more than one at 30% for identical spend
Strategy 7–9: Investment Levers
- Invest in UAE-based fixed assets — facilities, equipment, and infrastructure inside the UAE generate score credit
- Localise R&D activity — technology development conducted in the UAE counts toward the technology transfer component
- Time capital investments before your audit period — assets must be on the books during the audited financial year
The Cascade Effect — Why Your Score Matters to Your Customers
Your ICV score directly affects your customers' compliance positions. A prime contractor purchasing from you receives ICV credit weighted by your score. This means a higher score makes you commercially more attractive — some primes will pay a premium or preferentially award contracts to higher-ICV suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to improve an ICV score?
Redirecting procurement spend from uncertified to ICV-certified UAE suppliers is typically the fastest lever, as it requires no hiring or capital investment — only supplier selection changes.
How much does hiring UAE nationals improve ICV score?
Emiratisation wages carry the highest weighting of all six ICV components. From July 2026, only UAE nationals earning AED 6,000/month or above count toward the score.
Do purchases from uncertified suppliers count toward ICV?
No. Procurement from uncertified suppliers contributes zero ICV credit regardless of the amount spent. Only spend with ICV-certified suppliers counts, weighted by their score.
When do ICV score improvements take effect?
ICV scores are calculated from audited annual financial statements, so improvements made during a financial year appear in the certificate issued after that year's audit.
Can a new company get a good ICV score?
Yes. New companies are scored on the same six components. Early decisions about UAE-based hiring, local procurement, and asset location determine the initial score.
Related Resources
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