Starting January 1, 2025, all employees and domestic workers in the UAE, including those in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, will need to have health insurance. Employers must secure a health insurance policy for their workers before issuing or renewing residency permits.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai have already adopted similar policies, and now the Northern Emirates will follow suit. While the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) hasn’t specified family coverage, experts believe the rule will soon extend to dependents. This means employees might need to insure their families separately, as companies are only required to provide coverage for the workers.
Neeraj Gupta, CEO of Policybazaar.ae, said that health insurance is already mandatory for sponsoring dependents during visa processes. “It’s a positive step at an affordable price, giving people access to much-needed health coverage,” he shared.
Similarly, Hitesh Motwani, Chief Marketing Officer at Insurancemarket.ae, said the Northern Emirates’ rule aligns with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where sponsors must ensure their families have insurance.
Moin ur Rehman, Executive Director of Unitrust Insurance Broker, emphasized that health insurance coverage will now be required for families in the Northern Emirates, as per UAE regulations. “Health insurance is a must for issuing or renewing visas,” he explained.
Affordable Health Insurance Starts at Dh320
The MoHRE has introduced a basic health insurance plan priced at Dh320 per year, making it highly accessible.
The plan offers:
- Inpatient Care: Patients pay 20% of treatment costs, capped at Dh500 per visit, with an annual limit of Dh1,000 (includes medications). Beyond this, the insurance covers 100% of the costs.
- Outpatient Care: Patients pay 25% per visit, with a maximum of Dh100. Follow-up visits within 7 days for the same condition are free. Co-payment for medicines is capped at 30%, with an annual limit of Dh1,500.
The plan covers individuals aged 1 to 64 years. Those above this age will need to provide a medical disclosure form with recent health reports.
Moin ur Rehman described the Dh320 package as affordable and competitive, especially for those seeking insurance for visa purposes. “While it meets regulatory requirements, sponsors must decide if the limited coverage is enough for their family’s healthcare needs,” he advised.
Neeraj Gupta also highlighted the affordability: “At Dh320, this plan ensures that more people can secure essential health coverage for their dependents. It’s a great step toward achieving universal health insurance across the UAE.”
