It’s mandatory for visitors in Dubai to secure health insurance when applying for a visa. Visitors can choose from short-term health insurance that provides coverage for medical fees incurred during 1–12 months inside the emirate and long-term health insurance if they plan to stay for over a year.

This Pacific Prime article will go into detail on the visa requirements for visitors, the importance of health insurance, the types of health insurance, and how they can best prepare.

Are you ready to get coverage for your medical expenses in Dubai? Pacific Prime is more than happy to offer you an obligation-free plan comparison service and a free quote today!

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Do I Need to Secure Health Insurance to Visit Dubai?

Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa to visit Dubai, and health insurance is a mandatory requirement for visa application in the emirate. Healthcare in Dubai is also expensive, so it’s always a good idea to secure health insurance to prevent unforeseen medical expenses.

Citizens of most countries normally need to obtain a visa before traveling to Dubai and other emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while others can enter the emirates without a visa or obtain it upon arrival. 

The chart below shows the visa requirements for several countries:

Please note that the rules are subject to change. It’s best to check with the government organizations in your country to ensure that you have all the necessary documents to enter the UAE.

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Health Insurance for Visitors in Dubai

Visitors in Dubai can secure short-term and long-term health insurance through an insurance provider or a broker like Pacific Prime. While these plans differ in coverage duration and prices, they usually cover inpatient, outpatient, and emergency expenses with add-ons for dental and vision services.

Health Insurance for Short-Term Visitors in Dubai

Visitors visiting Dubai for 1–12 months should secure short-term health insurance plans, as this type of plan is highly customizable and offers a wide range of coverage, including but not limited to outpatient and inpatient care, prescribed medicines, medical evacuation, and emergency services.

Short-term health insurance plans at Pacific Prime offer extensive coverage options, ensuring that you’ll get as comprehensive protection as possible for a specified duration. The coverage limits for different benefits are as follows:

As a mandatory requirement for visa application in Dubai, it’s important to note that the coverage of short-term health insurance plans may vary depending on the provider. We encourage you to review the terms and consult with an insurance expert to ensure that your chosen plan meets your needs.

Health Insurance for Long-Term Visitors in Dubai

Visitors planning to stay in Dubai for over a year are recommended to secure health insurance tailored for a longer stay in the emirates, such as international health insurance, global insurance, and expat health insurance, which can all be purchased through a local insurance company or a private health insurance provider.

Health insurance plans that offer long-term coverage typically come with flexible benefits and add-ons. It’s crucial to understand the differences between the main types of long-term insurance plan so that you can secure the most suitable plan for yourself and your loved ones:

• International health insurance: An international health insurance plan covers individuals who often travel or reside in another country for an extended period of time with customizable zones of coverage, allowing you to choose whether to be covered worldwide or only in specific regions.
• Expat health insurance: An expat health insurance plan covers individuals living and working in a foreign country with benefits that are tailored to suit the needs of expats and may offer flexibility in choosing between local and international hospitals.

What Should I Look for in Health Insurance?

Outpatient and inpatient care, emergency services, pregnancy care, mental health services, medication costs, rehabilitative and habilitative services, laboratory services, wellness services, and chronic disease management are the basic coverage you should look for in a health insurance plan.

When you secure a health insurance plan in Dubai, please make sure to choose a plan that offers coverage in these primary areas:

• • Ambulatory care: Medical services performed on an outpatient basis or without being admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility

• Hospitalization: The process of being admitted to a hospital for medical treatment or care on an inpatient basis, involving staying in the hospital overnight to receive necessary medical attention, monitoring, and support

• Emergency services:  Healthcare or medical services provided to evaluate or treat medical conditions without scheduled medical care

• Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care: Medical services provided to mothers and their babies during pregnancy, while giving birth, and after giving birth

• • Mental health services: This includes services for substance use disorders, which encompass behavioral health treatment like counseling and talk therapy.

• Prescription drugs: Medicines that require a prescription from a licensed doctor or healthcare practitioner because they can be harmful if not used under professional supervision

• Rehabilitative and habilitative services: Therapeutic services intended to improve, adapt, or restore functions that have been impaired or permanently lost and to maintain, develop, or improve skills needed to perform activities of daily living
• Laboratory services: This normally includes x-rays and other imaging tests, blood and bodily fluid tests, biopsies, pathology, and pregnancy tests
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management: Wellness services aimed to support, give guidance, and educate patients so that they can better manage their health condition

Apart from the mentioned coverage, health insurance policies generally allow you to secure additional coverage for pediatric services such as oral and vision care. Determining what specific coverage you need will greatly help in deciding on the most suitable health insurance plan.

What Should I Consider When Securing Health Insurance?

From the duration and area of coverage to deductibles and other benefits, there are several important factors that determine whether a health insurance plan is suitable to your needs and budget or not. We advise you to compare plans across different providers to make the most out of your policy.

While selecting an insurance plan requires assessing its pros and cons and gathering important information about each plan on the market, the main factors you should take into account when securing a plan are:

• Time span for coverage: Short-term health insurance plans generally provide coverage for 1-12 months, while long-term plans normally cover you for one year or more. Choosing your coverage according to the duration of your stay in Dubai will help save costs and ensure that you have adequate coverage.
• Area of coverage: Some insurance policies offer worldwide medical coverage, some policies exclude countries like the United States, while others let you choose between different zones of coverage. Make sure your plan offers coverage for healthcare treatments in Dubai’s hospitals.
• Deductibles: A deductible refers to the amount you have to pay out of pocket for medical care. Choosing a higher or lower deductible can save you money on your premiums, depending on the level of risks you hold.
• Non-medical benefits: Some providers offer additional benefits, such as emergency accommodation, hotline service, and personal assistance. With the right type of benefits, you can make the most out of your insurance plan.

What’s more, most insurance companies also provide health insurance plans for families. Purchasing a family health insurance policy is usually less expensive than securing individual policies for each family member, making it a cost-effective choice for those who are moving to Dubai as a family.

Conclusion

Visitors who need a visa to get into Dubai must secure health insurance before traveling to the emirate. Whether it’s short-term plans that provide coverage for 1–12 months or long-term plans that cover you over one year, it’s always a good idea to consult with insurance experts before securing one.

Insurance brokers like Pacific Prime are experts in risk management and health insurance selection. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, our team of experts is always ready to provide you with unbiased advice to help you evaluate different plans before making an informed decision.

Contact us for an obligation-free quote and a FREE plan comparison service today!

Our Top Insurance Recommendations for UAE

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna’s trusted global network of hospitals and doctors
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Get a Quote NOW

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefits up
  to USD 5,000,000

Get a Quote NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does health insurance cost in Dubai?

According to Pacific Prime’s 2023 Cost of International Health Insurance Report, the average cost of health insurance for individuals in Dubai is USD $5,687. Still, it’s best to obtain personalized quotes from experts for accurate pricing information as the cost may vary based on different factors.

Where do visitors in Dubai get health insurance?

Visitors in Dubai can secure health insurance through the public healthcare system if they’re employed locally with employer-provided coverage, while others can secure health insurance through private insurance companies for a more comprehensive and flexible plan.

Can I choose my healthcare providers with health insurance in Dubai?

Most health insurance companies in Dubai offer an intensive network of healthcare providers, but some plans may allow you to choose providers outside the network depending on their terms and conditions.

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Natthachamon

Content Writer at Pacific Prime Thailand

Natthachamon Suthana Komalrachun is a Content Writer with a strong passion in creative writing and marketing communications. Working with the team of experienced creators at Pacific Prime, she aims to use the magic of communication to simplify insurance and enchant every reader in our diverse society where insurance and employee benefits act as a life and financial stronghold for everyone—individuals and businesses alike.

After graduating at the top of her class and earning her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Thammasat University, Natthachamon has been practicing her writing skills and making education more easily accessible for Thai children as an Educational Content Creator and English Curriculum Developer for various educational facilities and organizations across the country.

Natthachamon is also a mother of two cats, a board game enthusiast, and a big bookworm who enjoys everything and anything sweet.

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