Health Insurance (DHA/SEHA) in United Arab Emirates
Health insurance is mandatory across the UAE - no insurance means no residence visa, full stop.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
The UAE made employer-provided health insurance mandatory in Abu Dhabi (2008, via SEHA/Daman) and Dubai (2014, via DHA). From 2025, the requirement was extended federally - every resident in every emirate must have insurance to issue or renew a residence visa.
Insurance is normally provided by the employer for the employee, and by the sponsor for dependents. The minimum benchmark in Dubai is the 'Essential Benefits Plan' (EBP), priced around AED 550-650 per year for lower-income workers; standard plans for skilled workers and families start around AED 1,500/year and run well into five figures depending on coverage.
Documents required
- Emirates ID or passport copy
- Residence visa or entry permit
- Employer details (for employer-provided plans)
- Sponsor's Emirates ID (for dependent enrolment)
Eligibility
- All UAE residents and their dependents
- Insurance must cover the full residence visa period
- Plan must meet the minimum benefits set by the emirate's health authority
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Benefits Plan (Dubai, low-income) | 550-650 AED | Annual; for workers earning under AED 4,000/month. Provided by employer. |
| Standard plan (skilled worker) | 1,500-3,500 AED | Annual; varies by network and copay. |
| Family standard plan | 4,000-12,000 AED | Per dependent annually. |
| Comprehensive international plan | 15,000+ AED | Per person; covers worldwide treatment. |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm employer coverage
Most employees are auto-enrolled by their employer. Check that the policy is registered with DHA (Dubai) or DOH (Abu Dhabi) before the visa application.
online
- 2
Buy a dependent plan
Sponsors must buy plans for dependents from any approved insurer. Compare on aggregator sites - networks and copay matter more than headline price.
Same day · online
- 3
Insurance linked to visa file
Insurer pushes the policy to ICP/GDRFA electronically. Required for the residence visa to be issued or renewed.
1-2 days · online
- 4
Use the network
Show your insurance card or Emirates ID at network hospitals and pharmacies. Direct billing is standard; out-of-network requires reimbursement claims.
either
Processing time: Same day for purchase; 1-2 days to reflect on the visa file.
Where to do it online
- ICP
Federal residence visa file - insurance must be linked here
- GDRFA Dubai
Dubai residence visa file - insurance linked via DHA
Tasheel and Amer centres often partner with insurance brokers - useful if you need to buy a basic dependent plan at the same time as visa documents.
Renewal
Insurance must be renewed annually (or in sync with the residence visa). Lapsed insurance instantly blocks visa renewal and may attract a per-day penalty - AED 500/month in Dubai is typical for sponsors who fail to insure dependents.
Fines & penalties
- No insurance for an employee: AED 500/month per employee (Dubai)
- No insurance for dependents: AED 500/month per dependent (Dubai); similar across other emirates from 2025
- Blocks residence visa renewal and Emirates ID renewal
Common pitfalls
- Buying cheap insurance with tiny networks - good price, useless when you actually need care
- Forgetting to renew dependent insurance - the per-month fine adds up quickly
- Assuming maternity is included - many basic plans require a 12-month waiting period
- Travel cover is often missing - check before relying on it abroad
FAQs
Yes, across all emirates. Abu Dhabi has required it since 2008, Dubai since 2014, and the rest of the UAE from 2025. No insurance, no residence visa.
Your employer pays for your own coverage by law. Dependents are normally the sponsor's responsibility, though some employers cover them as a benefit.
DHA's mandatory minimum for low-income workers (earning under AED 4,000/month). Annual cost is around AED 550-650 and it covers basic outpatient and inpatient care within an assigned network.
From around AED 4,000 per dependent per year for a basic plan up to AED 12,000+ for mid-tier coverage. Networks and copay structure matter more than the headline price.
You can't renew your residence visa or Emirates ID, and the sponsor faces a AED 500/month fine per uninsured person in most emirates.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
Get help with Health Insurance (DHA/SEHA)