Work permit approvals now linked to health insurance verification

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued a guide clarifying how health insurance rules work for employees. The guide reinforces that employers cannot get a work permit issued or renewed for a worker unless that worker has a valid health insurance policy. The ministry's digital systems now automatically check this during the application process. Employers must bear the full cost of the insurance subscription and renewal—workers are not to contribute anything. The employee's insurance must remain valid for the entire duration of their work permit and cannot be sporadic. Employers cannot cancel a policy during the permit's validity in a way that leaves workers without coverage. The policy must meet minimum approved coverage requirements set by authorities. The nationwide health insurance system for all private-sector and domestic workers was completed at the beginning of 2025, following a cabinet decision mandating coverage for workers in the northern emirates, building on existing systems already in place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A basic health insurance package is available starting from as low as Dh320 per year covering individuals aged one to 64.