Learn about health insurance for foreigners and tourists visiting the UAE on a visit visa. This comprehensive guide includes information on rates and coverage.

What Type of Insurance Should I Buy for a Visit to the UAE?

Are you traveling to the UAE for the first time? If so, are you looking for medical insurance to secure your visit from unexpected emergencies?

To get straight to the answer, you cannot purchase medical insurance on a visit visa. However, you can get travel insurance with health coverage that is designed specifically to meet the medical needs of visit visa holders.

Here we explain all about health insurance for visit visa holders and the best insurance plans you can purchse for your trip to the UAE.

Quick Read Section

• For travelers coming from specific international nations, travel insurance is required, and documentation of this insurance must be included with the visa application.
• It is crucial to remember that having health insurance coverage while on a visit visa does not entitle you to free medical care in the UAE.
• The advantages of having medical insurance coverage on a visit visa include avoidance of needless financial burdens in the event of an emergency and coverage for emergency medical costs up to AED 150,000.
• Insurance companies may have different exclusions in their travel insurance coverage such as pre-existing medical issues, accidents caused by alcohol or drugs, and dangerous sports.

Read this article to know all about travel insurance policies with medical coverage for visit visa holders in UAE.

What are the Types of Visas available in the UAE?

Tourists, residents, and expats planning to travel or work in the UAE are mandatorily required to apply for a visa. You will need a visa if you are going to remain in UAE for more than 8 hours, even if you are just transiting through airports. The type of visa you should apply for depends on the purpose of your visit to the UAE and the duration of your visit. These are the kinds of visas you can get in the UAE:

1. Transit Visa:

This Visa is mandatory for those individuals traveling through connecting flights at Dubai or Abu Dhabi with more than 8 hours of waiting time at the airport. Transit visas can be obtained through airlines or by directly issuing them online.

2. Tourist Visa:

People visiting UAE from certain countries are permitted to receive a Tourist Visa on Arrival. The visa can be obtained from the Immigration counter at the airport and is valid for a period of 30 days. You can also apply for a tourist visa through hotels, travel agencies or airlines based in the UAE. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, the visa can be extended for an additional 30 days for a fee. This visa is suitable for individuals traveling to UAE for vacation and visiting friends or relatives.

The types of tourist visas are:

• Single Entry Tourist Visa
• Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
• Single Entry Visit Visa
• Long-term Tourist Visa for Single Entry
• Long-term Tourist Visa Multiple Entry

3. Residence Visa:

This visa is mandatory for those who wish to live or work in the UAE and requires sponsorship by a resident of the UAE or the hiring company. However, citizens from GCC countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait do not require a visa to work or travel to the UAE.

4. Student Visa:

This visa is suitable for individuals who wish to study in UAE. Student visas can be applied for by the student’s sponsor including universities, parents, or relatives.

5. Work Visa:

A work permit can be obtained by foreign citizens who wish to work in the UAE and is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. (MOHRE) The work permit must be applied for by the employer on behalf of the employee.

6. Patient Entry Visa:

This visa is primarily meant for those individuals visiting UAE to receive medical care. The permit can be sponsored by a verified UAE-based hospital or medical facility.

Do I need medical insurance on a UAE visit visa?

Travel insurance with health coverage is mandatory for visitors traveling from certain international countries.

Travel insurance is mandatory in the UAE if you require a visa to enter the country. The visa application must show proof of medical coverage. However, individuals traveling from countries that get Visas on Arrival in UAE are exempt from obtaining travel insurance.

Your travel insurance plan should ideally cover Covid-19 and offer coverage for health-related expenses in the event of need. However, it is important to note that having medical insurance on a visit visa does not give access to free medical treatment in the UAE. But you can enjoy exclusive benefits and avail of health care discounts when you have travel health insurance coverage.

What are the benefits of having medical insurance on a visit visa?

The health coverage in your travel insurance plan will protect you from unnecessary financial expenses in case your journey gets interrupted due to an emergency. You can get up to AED 5 million coverage on emergency medical costs incurred during your trip to the UAE. Make sure your travel insurance policy also covers Covid-19, personal accidents, and third-party liability.

Other benefits of your travel insurance policy include coverage for lost or stolen belongings, canceling charge coverage, coverage for lost or stolen passports, delayed or missed flight expenses, and repatriation costs.

What is not included under travel insurance plans with medical cover?

Exclusions under travel insurance policies may vary with different insurance providers. Common exclusions of travel insurance are:

• Pre-existing medical conditions: Not informing your insurance broker about your medical conditions can lead to the invalidation of your insurance policy and your medical expenses will not be covered.
• Accidents due to alcohol/drug influence: Injuries caused to yourself or others while drinking or under the influence of drugs are excluded under your insurance policy.
• Risky sports or activities: Expenses due to engagement in high-risk activities during your trip is not covered by your travel insurance plan.

Best Medical insurance plans for Visit visa holders

1. Sukoon Insurance:

Sukoon offers low-cost health insurance plans with a wide range of coverage options for UAE visitors. Their plans are compliant with government regulations on travel insurance policies for visitors to the UAE. Under Sukoon’s Visitor health insurance plans, coverage includes emergency medical costs, repatriation of mortal remains, and Covid-19 treatment. However, all pre-existing medical conditions except for treatment in the Emergency room are excluded from this policy.

Terms and Conditions:

• The age limit for being eligible for this policy is 65 years.
• Claims must be submitted within 7 days of discharge from the hospital.
• The policy is applicable only to UAE visitors on a valid visa.
• Policy will be invalidated with the decline of visa or refusal of entry into the UAE.
• The insurance policy once issued is non-transferable and non-refundable.

2. Daman Insurance-

Daman Insurance offers Ziyarah travel insurance with health coverage for emergency needs. This travel insurance plan includes multiple options and emergency coverage for the entire duration of your trip. Ziyarah plans aids UAE visitors in case they need urgent medical care or must be hospitalized.

Coverage under Ziyarah plans include Covid-19 treatment, emergency in-patient treatments, hospital accommodation costs, medicine costs, and a 24/7 emergency helpline to offer advice when in need of urgent assistance.

Ziyarah plans are categorized based on the duration of your trip into:

• 190 Days Coverage Plan (Multi Trips): This plan is applicable to Golden Visa holders and offers emergency coverage of up to AED 150,000 per person for a duration of 190 days.
• 100 Days Coverage Plan (Single Trip): This plan offers emergency coverage up to AED 150,000 per person for a duration of 100 days.
• 70 Days Coverage Plan (Single Trip): This plan offers emergency coverage up to AED 150,000 per person for a duration of 70 days.
• 40 Days Coverage Plan (Single Trip): This plan offers emergency coverage of up to AED 150,000 per person for a duration of 40 days.

3. RAK Insurance:

RAK insurance offers emergency medical coverage for individuals visiting their friends and family in the UAE. Their plans provide accidental coverage, emergency inpatient treatment coverage, and also covers Covid-19 treatment. RAK travel insurance plans for visitors can be availed at a basic premium rate starting from AED 87. Other benefits include emergency dental coverage, lost passport and baggage costs and delayed flight costs.

Terms and Conditions:

• Individuals aged above 70 are ineligible for this policy.
• Minimum age limit for eligibility is 30 days old.
• The policy is applicable only to UAE visitors on a valid visa.
• Policy will be invalidated if the visa is declined or the individual is refused entry into the UAE.

4. Allianz Insurance:

Allianz has travel insurance plans that offer protection to visit visa holders in the UAE for a maximum duration of 90 days. Their plans safeguard visitors from unexpected travel emergencies and provide medical coverage. Plan benefits include emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation costs, emergency dental cover, emergency travel with family, and repatriation expenses.

Loss of passport, money, baggage, personal documents, credit card fraud, flight delay, etc are other benefits included in this plan.

The premium rates of Allianz plans are based on the duration of the visitor’s trip in UAE.

5. GIG Gulf Insurance Company (previously AXA)

GIG Travel Insurance offers coverage for travel inconveniences such as loss of passport, baggage, accidental damage, theft, and loss of money. Coverage for the purchase of essential items such as medicines and toiletries in the event of baggage delay is included. The plan also includes financial coverage in the event that your flight is delayed due to harsh weather conditions or technical emergencies. Medical cover includes emergency expenses and transportation costs due to accidental body injuries or illnesses. The plan also covers medical costs due to injuries from participating in high-risk activities.

6. ADNIC Insurance

ADNIC’s Hala Insurance plan offers medical insurance coverage for travelers visiting the UAE on a valid visa. With this plan, visitors can get medical coverage for any emergency treatment costs that may arise during their trip. Hala Visitor health insurance plan provides medical coverage up to AED 15,000 and access to more than 3000 hospital networks within UAE.

Plan features include a 24/7 helpline for assistance, coverage as soon as your flight land in the UAE, and treatment and diagnosis in the best hospitals in the country.

Hala Insurance provides emergency in-patient treatment coverage which includes hospitalization costs and a private room. Additional benefits include coverage for private room consultant, anesthetist fees, surgery costs, medical bills, physiotherapy, and post-traumatic dental treatment due to accidents.

Request a free quote and buy a travel insurance policy that covers your medical needs and other essential requirements for your trip to the UAE.

No matter what emergency you face during your visit, Gargash Insurance can assist you with all your travel needs. With over 350+ experienced professionals to offer you expert advice on financial risks, your visit to the UAE will be safeguarded from unexpected financial loss.

Gargash Insurance is one of the oldest insurance broker companies serving in the UAE for the past 30 years. Insurance brokers at Gargash specialize in providing quick, dependable, hassle-free, and knowledgeable assistance to help you choose an insurance plan that best suits your requirements. We provide a range of services such as claims assistance, effective negotiation with insurers, risk mitigation solutions, and customized policies at discounted rates. Reach out to an insurance broker today to get quotes or clarify your insurance queries.

Contact us today for all your health insurance needs!