Dubai: How to get health insurance if you are unemployed and on a family visa
You need to get a temporary work permit if you are planning to work while holding your family visa
Dubai: Living in Dubai on a visa sponsored by a family member? A health insurance plan is essential, as this is a requirement for the visa application process and it is now mandatory in the UAE.
But who bears the cost of health insurance in such cases? The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) clarified this recently in a social media post.
Who pays for health insurance on a family visa?
For individuals on a work visa, health insurance is typically provided and paid for by their employer. However, for those on a family visa, the responsibility shifts. According to DHA, the individual sponsoring the visa—whether it’s a spouse or parent—is responsible for ensuring that health insurance coverage is in place for the dependents.
Employers are encouraged to provide health insurance for employees and their dependents. However, if this is not available, the obligation lies with the visa sponsor to secure an insurance policy.
Can you work on a spouse’s Visa?
Another common question is whether individuals on a spouse’s visa can work legally in the UAE. The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) allows this, provided the individual obtains a work permit issued by the Ministry or a free zone authority. This applies to both husbands on their wife’s sponsorship and wives on their husband’s sponsorship. Additionally, women over 18 under their father’s sponsorship can also work legally with a work permit.
Documents required for a work permit
To apply for a work permit, your employer will manage the process, but you’ll need to provide the following:
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor/relative.
A copy of your passport and visa page (valid for at least six months).
A copy of your sponsor’s passport and visa page (valid for at least six months).
A passport-sized colour photograph with a white background.
Academic qualifications (for skilled professions).
Approval from relevant authorities for specialised professions (e.g., doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers).
Your Emirates ID.
If you work while on a family visa, your employer may also provide health insurance as part of their policies.
Mandatory health insurance requirements
Health insurance is currently mandatory for all UAE residents with visas issued in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Starting January 1, 2025, this requirement has been extended to the UAE’s private sector nationwide. All private sector employees, regardless of the emirate, must be provided with health insurance by their employers.
For more details on obtaining a work permit or ensuring compliance with mandatory health insurance regulations, visit the official DHA website or consult your employer or MoHRE.