"Health insurance to be made mandatory across all Emirates of the UAE,"

Starting next year, employer-provided health insurance coverage will be mandatory for all private-sector and domestic workers across the UAE, following a nationwide health insurance mandate ratified by the Emirati cabinet. 

While specific details of the new ruling have not yet been released, news reports indicate that employers in all Emirates will be required to cover the cost of health insurance for workers when their residency permits are issued or renewed. Coverage “will be based on the health insurance system established by this decision,” or alternatively, employers may opt to purchase health insurance from another provider within the country...

While the move to unify health systems and implement mandatory health plans for the remaining Emirates is a positive step, healthcare in the UAE continues to be characterized by severe discrimination based on nationality and employment. Emirati citizens and those employed in the government sector enjoy greater accessibility and healthcare coverage compared to non-citizens working in the private sector.

Health insurance provisions for private sector workers in the UAE vary depending on the insurance tier...

Insurance policies in the UAE typically require the insured to be employees holding valid residence permits. Migrant workers whose permits are cancelled typically have a one-month grace period before their health insurance expires. After this period, they must pay out of pocket for healthcare.

There are numerous cases of migrants with expired residency permits suffering from severe health conditions who are unable to obtain health insurance. This has led them to incur substantial medical expenses and dependence on charitable assistance...