New Guide Streamlines Health Insurance for Work Permits
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a new guide outlining the procedures for linking the issuance and renewal of certain work permits to the requirement for a valid health insurance policy, effective as of the guide\’s issuance. This guide clarifies existing procedures and integrates them automatically into the work permit issuance and renewal system, without introducing any new obligations on employers.
The guide affects employers and workers in private-sector establishments and domestic workers, who must comply with the health insurance requirements. The MoHRE stressed that work permits cannot be issued until a valid health insurance policy for the worker has been verified, in accordance with approved regulations and standards. Employers must ensure that workers\’ health insurance coverage is maintained throughout the validity of the work permit and that workers do not bear any insurance subscription or renewal costs.
To comply with the new guide, employers should ensure that their workers have a valid health insurance policy that meets the minimum approved coverage requirements. The policy must be maintained throughout the validity of the work permit, and employers must prevent cancellation of the policy during the permit period in a manner that would leave the worker without health insurance coverage. The MoHRE\’s digital systems will electronically link work permit issuance and renewal procedures with verification of workers\’ health insurance coverage, streamlining compliance checks and ensuring uninterrupted health insurance coverage for workers.
The guide is part of efforts to complete the implementation of the health insurance system for workers in private-sector establishments and domestic workers, which was fully implemented at the beginning of 2025 under a Cabinet decision. The system complements existing health insurance frameworks in other emirates, ensuring that workers across the UAE are covered while supporting worker welfare and enhancing the competitiveness of the country\’s labour market.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Health Insurance Policy | Must be valid and meet minimum approved coverage requirements |
| Work Permit Issuance | Cannot be issued until a valid health insurance policy for the worker has been verified |
| Employer Obligations | Must maintain workers\’ health insurance coverage throughout the validity of the work permit and prevent cancellation of the policy during the permit period |
