From August 1, 2015, applications for new residence visas or renewal of existing visas will be linked to mandatory health insurance coverage in Dubai

With effect from August 1, 2015, no new residence visas or renewal of existing visa applications will be processed without mandatory health insurance coverage in Dubai.

This rule will apply to companies with 100 too 999 employees that fall in Phase II of the coverage.

However, companies that fall under the Phase III of the implementation that ends in 2016 will be exempted from this.

In Phase I of the implementation that ended on October 31, 2014 all companies with above 1,000 employees were covered. In Phase II that ends on July 31, all companies with 100 to 999 employees will be covered.

In Phase III that will end on June 30, 2016, all companies with 100 or below employees, spouses, dependents and domestic workers will be covered concluding the phased programme of mandatory insurance coverage in Dubai which is in line  Health Insurance Law No 11 of 2013 passed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Chairman of the board of Dubai Health Authority, Humaid Mohmmad Al Qutami, said: “At the time that the law was introduced in November 2013, the insured population in Dubai was 1.1 million.

“Since the phased introduction, until now, an additional 1.2 million people are insured, bringing the total insured population in Dubai to 2.3 million. The second phase that ends on July 31 will insure an additional 600,00 people. This shows that employers are responding very well to the scheme. “

Source: www.gulfnews.com