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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation released guidance linking the issuance and renewal of work permits to proof of valid health insurance, according to the ministry announcement. The rules apply to private sector employees and domestic workers nationwide, reinforcing obligations that became mandatory across all seven emirates on January 1, 2025. Employers must obtain policies meeting approved minimum standards that stay active for the full permit period and cannot pass any costs to workers, the ministry stated in the guidance. Digital verification now occurs automatically within the permit system to confirm compliance before approval.
According to the ministry guidance, no work permit will be processed without confirmation of continuous coverage that aligns with national health insurance standards. The integration aims to improve transparency, strengthen labour governance and safeguard employee rights without creating new employer burdens beyond existing requirements. MOHRE emphasised that insurance cannot be cancelled during the permit’s validity and must remain in force throughout.
A Mordor Intelligence assessment found that the UAE health and medical insurance market is set to expand from USD 10.11 billion in 2026 to USD 15.04 billion by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate of 8.26 percent. GMI Research Team figures show the expatriate population stood at approximately 10.04 million of the country’s 11.35 million residents as of mid-2025, creating sustained demand for employer-provided coverage. The mandatory scheme, extended from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the remaining emirates via a 2024 Cabinet decision, ties directly to residency and permit procedures.
The ministry guidance builds on prior regulatory updates that made health insurance a precondition for visa processing in line with federal labour law, according to MOHRE documentation. Private sector employers have faced this requirement in select emirates for years, yet the 2025 nationwide rollout and current electronic enforcement represent the latest step in uniform application. Regulatory filings indicate that coverage must include inpatient and outpatient services meeting minimum thresholds set by health authorities.
Employers and workers alike benefit from streamlined digital procedures that reduce paperwork while ensuring adherence, the ministry reported. The guidance stresses proper documentation and prohibits any deduction from employee wages for premiums or renewals. Similar directives have supported broader labour market reforms that cut administrative data requirements by up to 97 percent in recent years, according to earlier MOHRE statements.
Official ministry channels noted that the measure forms part of ongoing efforts to align permit processing with health coverage obligations first established under federal decisions. Compliance checks occur at the point of application, preventing lapses that could affect worker protections or residency status. The framework continues to evolve through system enhancements rather than substantive changes to underlying responsibilities for employers.
