Starting in 2025, all employees and domestic workers in the UAE will be included in a health insurance plan. As of January 1, employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah must secure health insurance for their workers before issuing or renewing residency permits.
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have already enforced similar regulations.
While the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) has not explicitly stated, industry experts anticipate the mandatory insurance will eventually cover family members. Thus, employees may need to insure their families, as firms are only obligated to cover the employees themselves.
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Neeraj Gupta, CEO of Policybazaar.ae, noted that health insurance is essential for sponsors during the visa process for dependents and families.
“This is an excellent initiative at a very competitive price, ensuring people gain access to necessary health coverage,” he added.
Hitesh Motwani, CMO at Insurancemarket.ae, remarked that this aligns with policies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where sponsors must secure insurance for their families and dependents.
Agreeing with his colleagues, Moin ur Rehman, Executive Director of Unitrust Insurance Broker, emphasized the need for sponsors in the Northern Emirates to obtain insurance for family members under UAE regulations.
“Health insurance is essential for visa issuance or renewal in the Northern Emirates.”
‘Dh320 is affordable’
Mohre announced that the basic health insurance package starts at Dh320 per year.
This basic plan has no waiting period for workers with chronic illnesses, covering those aged 1 to 64, while those older must provide medical disclosures and recent reports.
The plan covers treatment costs with a 20% co-payment for inpatient care, meaning hospital stays, with a maximum payment of Dh500 per visit and an annual limit of Dh1,000, including medications. Beyond this, the insurer covers 100% of costs.
For outpatient care, including doctor visits and minor procedures, the co-payment is 25%, with a maximum of Dh100 per visit. No co-payment is needed for follow-ups within seven days, and medication co-payments are capped at 30%, with an annual limit of Dh1,500.
Moin ur Rehman commented that the Dh320 package is “competitive and affordable” for sponsors primarily seeking visa-related health insurance, covering inpatient and emergency services.
“While this plan meets basic requirements, sponsors should evaluate if it adequately addresses their family’s healthcare needs,” he added.
Neeraj Gupta from Policybazaar stated that Dh320 is a “very competitive and affordable plan for sponsors’ families in the Northern Emirates, making healthcare widely accessible and supporting the UAE’s goal for universal coverage.”
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