The UAE’s Golden Visa program is a big drawing point for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and outstanding students to live and work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Emirates within the UAE. The UAE’s Golden Visa program is known as one of the best worldwide compared to many other country’s long-term residency schemes, however, one of the requirements to gain acceptance is to ensure you have suitable medical insurance.
Let’s take a look at how the UAE’s Golden Visa insurance requirements compare to other countries and what the key differences and similarities may be.
An Overview of the UAE’s Golden Visa Insurance Requirements.
The Golden Visa, or Golden Residence Permit is a long-term residence visa option available in the UAE which enables foreign nationals to live, work and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. It’s designed to attract foreign nationals, outstanding students, and investors who could bring various backgrounds and skills to the economy, allowing them to reside in the UAE for up to 10 years. It allows professionals to stay outside the UEA for more than 6 months, be able to sponsor dependents irrespective of age, and in the unfortunate incident of the Golden Visa holder passing away, their dependents are still permitted to stay in the UAE until the date of the visa’s expiry.
By law, you must hold medical insurance to live in UAE, but as a Golden Visa holder, you must provide insurance for your dependents as well. The UAE states in their medical insurance law that Golden Visa holders must:
- Hold comprehensive coverage of a wide range of medical services including inpatient and outpatient services, surgeries, emergency care, and maternity care.
- Comply with the guidelines held in the Emirate in which you reside. E.g. for those living in Dubai, their Golden Visa medical insurance must meet the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) standards.
- Hold international coverage for those who travel frequently.
- Cover pre-existing and chronic conditions.
- Be valid for the entire period of the Golden Visa residency (5 to 10 years).
- Include mental health services.
- Provide medical insurance coverage for all persons their visa sponsors, if their medical insurance is not covered by their employer.
How Does it Compare to Other Countries?
We’ve chosen 5 countries to compare the UAE’s Golden Visa insurance requirements with to see which offers the best long-term residency conditions worldwide.
United States.
Title: EB-5 Investor Visa – health insurance is not mandated by the U.S. for EB-5 visa holders; however, new immigrants are required to demonstrate that they will not become a public charge. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) encourages all residents to maintain health insurance, but non-compliance does not affect visa eligibility, however, the cost of private medical care in the U.S. makes it almost a necessity.
Canada.
Title: Start-Up Visa Program – like the U.S., Canada does not mandate specific medical insurance for applicants, but all permanent residents are entitled to publicly funded medical care after a waiting period. During this interim, applicants are advised to secure private insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.
Portugal.
Title: Golden Visa – applicants must show proof of medical insurance coverage valid in Portugal. The requirements are less stringent than the UAE’s, often allowing for international policies as long as they meet basic standards for medical expenses and emergency care.
Australia.
Title: Global Talent Visa – Australia requires long-term visa applicants to secure medical insurance that covers them during their stay. The focus is on avoiding any burden on Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare. Policies must be adequate for the visa’s duration and include emergency care.
Singapore.
Title: Employment Pass and EntrePass – it is mandatory that certain work visa holders, such as S Pass and Work Permit holders in Singapore are covered under medical insurance provided by their employers. For higher-tier visa programs like the EntrePass, private medical insurance is strongly recommended but not strictly enforced.
What are the Key Similarities and Differences?
The UAE’s stringent requirement for comprehensive medical insurance aligns closely with Australia’s approach but contrasts with the more lenient systems in Canada and the U.S. They prioritise broad coverage, including preventive care, while countries like Portugal allow for minimal yet sufficient coverage to meet visa requirements. Also, nations like Canada and Singapore leverage public healthcare systems, reducing the immediate need for private insurance, unlike the UAE, where private insurance is essential.
IAE Insure: How a Medical Insurance Specialist Can Help You with Golden Visa Insurance.
To ensure that you meet the requirements for the UAE’s Golden Visa program, you must research the best possible coverage for you and your family and one that is accepted by a long-term residency program. IAE Insure can help with this.
As a leading medical insurance specialist with over 20 years of standing in the UAE, we have provided insurance for UAE golden visa applicants who require medical insurance coverage and have worked with many UAE residents and expats to ensure they have the right level of coverage to access all healthcare services as and when required.
If you would like to speak to us about Golden Visa Insurance, contact us today.
