• Insights

Health Insurance Coverage to be Mandatory in Dubai

May 11, 2016

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

United Arab Emirates

Employers in the Emirate of Dubai must provide health insurance coverage to all residents and visitors by June 30, 2016, according to an announcement by the Dubai Health Authority. Employees must provide at least basic coverage for their dependents and domestic workers under an approved plan by that date.

Companies employing 100-999 workers have been subject to this requirement since July 31, 2015. 


The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) is expected to monitor health insurance coverage, as was done in Abu Dhabi. Accordingly, the GDRFA may not issue or renew residence permits without valid health insurance.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Employers in Dubai must ensure that they enroll their employees under a health insurance plan by the deadline. New applications submitted on or after June 30, 2016 are expected to require proof of insurance. Delays in providing such proof may result in processing issues.  Noncompliance with the regulation may result in severe fines or denial of the immigration application.

Although Fragomen does not assist clients in obtaining medical insurance, some employers may prefer to provide their insurance coverage letter directly from their medical provider to Fragomen, which would be maintained in compliance with Fragomen’s privacy policy.

This alert is for informational purposes only.  If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. 

© 2016 Fragomen

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Dubai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Biometric Update: Fragomen and SICPA Form JV to Join Digital Identity Market With End-to-End Platform

Fragomen and SICPA have launched a global joint venture to develop an end-to-end digital identity platform that enables secure identity verification, document authentication and verifiable credential management.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Trump Administration Eyes Tighter H-1B, Green Card and Student Visa Rules; Indians Could Be Among Most Affected

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how potential changes to H-1B visas, employment-based green cards and OPT could impact employers’ workforce planning and compliance obligations.

Learn more

Media mentions

World Business Travel Forum: Leaders in Motion - Middle East Mobility and Travel Resilience

In a Leaders in Motion interview with World Business Travel Forum, Partner Ali Haider and Nomadic CEO Carsten Østberg discuss recent travel and mobility developments across the Middle East and practical considerations for employers managing cross-border talent in the region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Dairy Industry Gains Clarity on H-2A Guest Worker Eligibility

Partner Rachel Beardsley explains how new DHS guidance clarifies that dairy employers may use the H-2A program when they can demonstrate a temporary or seasonal labor need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US Finalises Alien Registration Rule: H-1B Holders Need Not Register AgainLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and SICPA Launch a Global Strategic Joint Venture to Advance Global Digital Identity Solutions

Fragomen and SICPA announced the formation of a global joint venture to advance next-generation digital identity solutions for governments, enterprises and individuals.

Learn more

Blog post

Immigration + Tax: A Strategic Duo in Global Mobility

Senior Associate Kyle Sommer and Adam Schwartz, Director in the Global Mobility practice at Andersen, discuss how immigration and tax considerations intersect across common US immigration classifications and why early coordination can help travelers, employers and advisors reduce compliance risks and make more informed mobility decisions.

Learn more

Podcast

Summer Travel Considerations for Foreign Nationals

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Senior Associates Sarah Melnick and Kimberly Elmazi discuss key considerations for foreign nationals planning international summer travel, including visa appointment planning, document preparation, consular interviews, port-of-entry procedures and I-94 review.

Learn more

Podcast

A New PM for the UK: What Will This Mean for Immigration Policy?

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit is joined by Jonathan Thomas of the Social Market Foundation, Dr. Ben Brindle of the Migration Observatory, University of Oxford and Steve McCauley of the University of Cambridge to discuss what a new UK Prime Minister could mean for immigration policy, employers and workforce mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト Learn more

Media mentions

NRC: Iedereen met een Canadese voorouder kan nu staatsburgerschap aanvragen – vooral Amerikanen doen dat

Partner Rick Lamanna said Canada’s expanded citizenship rules could make hundreds of thousands if not millions of people eligible while moving against a global trend of tighter citizenship laws.

Learn more

Media mentions

SBS News: The Overlooked Factor in Australia's Migration Debate That's Keeping Figures High

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher shares insights on the factors influencing Australia's migration trends.

Learn more

Media mentions

Biometric Update: Fragomen and SICPA Form JV to Join Digital Identity Market With End-to-End Platform

Fragomen and SICPA have launched a global joint venture to develop an end-to-end digital identity platform that enables secure identity verification, document authentication and verifiable credential management.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Trump Administration Eyes Tighter H-1B, Green Card and Student Visa Rules; Indians Could Be Among Most Affected

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how potential changes to H-1B visas, employment-based green cards and OPT could impact employers’ workforce planning and compliance obligations.

Learn more

Media mentions

World Business Travel Forum: Leaders in Motion - Middle East Mobility and Travel Resilience

In a Leaders in Motion interview with World Business Travel Forum, Partner Ali Haider and Nomadic CEO Carsten Østberg discuss recent travel and mobility developments across the Middle East and practical considerations for employers managing cross-border talent in the region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Dairy Industry Gains Clarity on H-2A Guest Worker Eligibility

Partner Rachel Beardsley explains how new DHS guidance clarifies that dairy employers may use the H-2A program when they can demonstrate a temporary or seasonal labor need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US Finalises Alien Registration Rule: H-1B Holders Need Not Register AgainLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and SICPA Launch a Global Strategic Joint Venture to Advance Global Digital Identity Solutions

Fragomen and SICPA announced the formation of a global joint venture to advance next-generation digital identity solutions for governments, enterprises and individuals.

Learn more

Blog post

Immigration + Tax: A Strategic Duo in Global Mobility

Senior Associate Kyle Sommer and Adam Schwartz, Director in the Global Mobility practice at Andersen, discuss how immigration and tax considerations intersect across common US immigration classifications and why early coordination can help travelers, employers and advisors reduce compliance risks and make more informed mobility decisions.

Learn more

Podcast

Summer Travel Considerations for Foreign Nationals

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Senior Associates Sarah Melnick and Kimberly Elmazi discuss key considerations for foreign nationals planning international summer travel, including visa appointment planning, document preparation, consular interviews, port-of-entry procedures and I-94 review.

Learn more

Podcast

A New PM for the UK: What Will This Mean for Immigration Policy?

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit is joined by Jonathan Thomas of the Social Market Foundation, Dr. Ben Brindle of the Migration Observatory, University of Oxford and Steve McCauley of the University of Cambridge to discuss what a new UK Prime Minister could mean for immigration policy, employers and workforce mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト Learn more

Media mentions

NRC: Iedereen met een Canadese voorouder kan nu staatsburgerschap aanvragen – vooral Amerikanen doen dat

Partner Rick Lamanna said Canada’s expanded citizenship rules could make hundreds of thousands if not millions of people eligible while moving against a global trend of tighter citizenship laws.

Learn more

Media mentions

SBS News: The Overlooked Factor in Australia's Migration Debate That's Keeping Figures High

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher shares insights on the factors influencing Australia's migration trends.

Learn more
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastNavigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Important Updates
Important Updates
July 10, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: TPS Employment Authorization Again Extended Briefly for Several Countries
July 10, 2026 | 🌐Biometric Update: Fragomen and SICPA Form JV to Join Digital Identity Market With End-to-End Platform
July 10, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Extended Grace Period for Foreign Workers in Irregular Status
July 10, 2026 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Medical Report Requirement Waived for Certain Visa Types
July 10, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: Trump Administration Eyes Tighter H-1B, Green Card and Student Visa Rules; Indians Could Be Among Most Affected
July 10, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: TPS Employment Authorization Again Extended Briefly for Several Countries
July 10, 2026 | 🌐Biometric Update: Fragomen and SICPA Form JV to Join Digital Identity Market With End-to-End Platform
July 10, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Extended Grace Period for Foreign Workers in Irregular Status
July 10, 2026 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Medical Report Requirement Waived for Certain Visa Types
July 10, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: Trump Administration Eyes Tighter H-1B, Green Card and Student Visa Rules; Indians Could Be Among Most Affected
July 10, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: TPS Employment Authorization Again Extended Briefly for Several Countries
Subscribe

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

© 2026 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.