AE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep every employee's health insurance valid for residency renewal
Since 1 January 2025, UAE employers must purchase a health insurance policy before applying to issue or renew the residency permit of a private sector employee or domestic worker, mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (u.ae). ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for renewing a work residence permit.
According to the UAE government portal u.ae, from 1 January 2025 employers are required to purchase a health insurance policy as a prerequisite for applying for the issuance or renewal of residency permits of private sector employees and domestic workers. u.ae says the system is implemented on a mandatory basis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and will extend to private sector workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
ICP's residence permit renewal service also lists valid health insurance among the documents for renewing a work residence permit through government, private or free zone entities.
u.ae describes a basic health insurance package from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation): the policy is valid for two years, it covers people aged 1 to 64, and the premium for the second year can be refunded if the visa is cancelled.
At a glance
| Required since | 1 January 2025 (u.ae) |
|---|---|
| Who buys it | The employer |
| Needed for | Issuing or renewing residency permits of private sector employees and domestic workers |
| Where | Mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; u.ae says it will extend to the other five emirates |
| Basic package policy | Valid for two years; ages 1 to 64 |
| Visa cancelled | Second-year premium can be refunded |
u.ae names MOHRE as the source of the basic package details. Check u.ae or MOHRE for current prices and coverage.
Who is responsible?
The employer. u.ae says employers must purchase the policy before applying to issue or renew the residency permit. In Dubai, employers must provide health insurance for their employees, and sponsors must insure their resident dependents.
If the deadline passes
Without a valid health insurance policy, the employer cannot meet the prerequisite for applying to issue or renew the employee's residency permit (u.ae), and ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for renewing a work residence permit. Renew the policy before the residence visa renewal date.
Track the policy together with the visa
u.ae makes the policy a prerequisite for applying to issue or renew the residency permit. Record the policy end date next to the residence visa expiry date, so both reminders arrive in time.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each employee and record the end date of their health insurance policy. Add the residence visa as a separate document.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the policy ends and on the end date itself.
- Assign a responsible person (for example HR or your PRO) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a policy passes its end date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask for the renewed policy certificate through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
- Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.
Frequently asked questions
- Is health insurance mandatory for UAE private sector employees?
- u.ae says that from 1 January 2025 employers must purchase a health insurance policy as a prerequisite for applying to issue or renew residency permits of private sector employees and domestic workers.
- Who pays for the employee's health insurance?
- u.ae says the employer is required to purchase the policy. In Dubai, employers must provide health insurance for their employees.
- How long is the basic health insurance policy valid?
- Two years, according to u.ae. The second-year premium can be refunded if the visa is cancelled.
- Is health insurance needed to renew a work residence permit?
- Yes. ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for renewing a work residence permit.
Sources
- u.ae: Getting a health insurance (health insurance for private sector employees and domestic workers)
- ICP: Renewal of residency permits (service page)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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