If you have been a long-time resident in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other Emirate within the UAE, or if you are an investor, skilled individual, or outstanding student who could bring benefits to the UAE economy, then you may have been researching what a Golden Visa is and how it could benefit you.
If you currently have medical insurance in the UAE, you may be wondering if you will need to change your coverage and how to do so. This article aims to explain the various medical insurance plans in the UAE and whether or not these are suitable for Golden Visa holders.
Types of Medical Insurance Plans in the UAE.
There are three main types of medical insurance plans in the UAE, these include:
- Basic/Essential Coverage – a government-mandated plan aimed at providing a minimal level of healthcare. These plans are usually more affordable but may offer limited benefits and a smaller network of healthcare providers.
- Enhanced Coverage – more comprehensive coverage which includes access to a wider range of hospitals and clinics, higher claim limits, and additional services like dental or optical care.
- International Coverage -for expatriates or frequent travellers, international plans offer coverage both in the UAE and abroad. These plans are ideal if you want flexibility and access to healthcare services outside the country.
What is a Golden Visa in the UAE?
The Golden Visa, or Golden Residence Permit is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. It was created to attract foreign nationals, outstanding students, and investors who could bring various backgrounds and skills to the economy, by providing them access to a wide range of benefits tailored to their contributions and achievements.
The Golden Visa enables the holder to reside in the UAE for up to 10 years and allows them access to medical benefits for themselves and their dependents. A Golden Visa allows professionals the ability to explore opportunities in the UAE’s dynamic market, as well as:
- The option to stay outside of the UEA for more than 6 months, diminishes the worry of visas expiring.
- The ability to sponsor family members and dependents irrespective of age, including as many domestic aides as needed.
- Family members are still being permitted to stay in the UAE until the visa’s expiry, in the unfortunate incident of the holder passing away.
Requirements for Golden Visa Insurance.
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 to Ensure Your Medical Insurance is Enough for a Golden Visa.
To ensure that your medical insurance complies with Golden Visa Insurance requirements, it’s important to fully understand your plan, the coverage it offers, costs and premiums, and any additional benefits. If your current plan doesn’t meet some of the key points above, then you will need to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive Golden Visa Insurance package. Some of the key features of Golden Visa Insurance include:
- A High Annual Coverage Limit – this usually covers extensive medical procedures, surgeries, and treatments which is important for those requiring advanced medical care or treatment for chronic illnesses.
- Worldwide Coverage – this is beneficial for frequent travellers and provides peace of mind knowing that medical treatments are covered abroad.
- A Wide Healthcare Network – the option to use many hospitals and clinics across the UAE.
- Maternity Coverage – includes prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care and includes costs for hospitalisation, doctor consultations, and newborn care.
- Emergency Services – this includes ambulance usage, emergency room visits, and intensive care and ensures immediate medical attention in the case of accidents or sudden illnesses.
- No Need for a Local Sponsor – unlike non Golden Visa UAE residents, you won’t need a local sponsor to secure medical insurance and can choose from a wide variety of insurance providers.
Golden Visa Insurance from a Medical Insurance Specialist in the UAE.
We recommend checking your current UAE medical insurance to ensure that you have the right plan for your Golden Visa permit. If you need to change your current plan to encompass Golden Visa medical insurance, then it’s best to opt for comprehensive coverage to give you the best coverage possible for you and your dependents.
As a leading medical insurance specialist with over 20 years of standing in the UAE, we offer a wide range of options to meet your Golden Visa insurance needs. We 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.
