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What should we check when our health insurance renews?
Health insurance is a legal requirement for residents, and you need it to renew a residence visa. Renewal is the moment to check that your cover still fits your family.
In 30 seconds
- In Dubai, employers must insure their employees and sponsors must insure the family members they sponsor
- You need valid health insurance to issue or renew a residence visa
- At renewal, check who’s covered, the hospitals in your network, what you pay per visit, and maternity and dental cover
Who has to insure whom
| Person | Who arranges the insurance |
|---|---|
| Employees | The employer, by law |
| Your husband or wife and children | You, if you sponsor their visas. Some employers include family cover: check your contract |
| Domestic workers | Their sponsor |
| Self-sponsored residents and retirees | You |
Since 1 January 2025, employers in the private sector must buy health insurance before they can apply for or renew an employee’s residence visa. A basic package costs AED 320 a year. In Dubai, the minimum level of cover is set by the Dubai Health Authority’s Essential Benefits Plan. Employers and sponsors who don’t insure face penalties under Dubai’s health insurance law.
What to check at renewal
- Who’s covered: new babies, a partner who’s changed jobs, or a child who’s turned 18
- Your network: are your GP, paediatrician and nearest hospital still in it?
- What you pay: the co-payment per visit and per prescription, and any yearly limit
- Maternity: what’s covered, and any waiting period if you’re planning a baby
- Dental and optical: often limited or extra on basic plans
- Existing conditions: check how ongoing treatment is covered before you switch insurer
Employer cover or your own?
If your employer covers only you, compare adding your family to the company plan with buying a separate family policy. Ask HR what adding your family would cost.
Your dates. Add your policy’s renewal date to Your dates so you can compare in good time.
What to do next
- Add your renewal date to Your dates
- List the doctors and hospitals your family uses, and check they’re in the network
- Ask HR what family cover through work would cost
Keep going
Sources
- u.ae: getting health insurance
- Dubai Health Insurance Corporation: FAQ
- ICP: renewal of residency permits