New laws in Dubai will put the burden of providing International Private Medical Insurance (iPMI) firmly on the shoulders of the employer in order to maintain the country’s leading healthcare facilities. With 10,000* UK nationals having moved to the country since 2007 and only 16.5% of the total 8.2 million people* living there being Emiratis, we believe this move was inevitable and employer responsibilities could continue to escalate in future.
Under the new rules, it is mandatory for all expats and visitors to Dubai to hold basic compliant health insurance in order to be issued with a visa, and in addition all insurance products need to be regulated by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Products will need to match mandatory benefits such as maternity coverage and non-exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
Spouse and dependents will also need to be covered by the employer or the employee themselves before a visa is granted. The Dubai government will provide health insurance cover to local nationals.
Timeline
The new legislation was passed in 2013 but the following dates relate to the implementation of the law:
- 31 October 2014: Companies with 1,000+ employees
- 31 July 2015: Companies with 100-999 employees
- 30 June 2016: Companies with <100 employees
- 30 June 2016: Dependents of sponsors including domestic workers
There are already a number of fully compliant iPMI providers on the market as well as many local companies providing cover, so employers should take care to select a health insurance provider that meets their own as well as their employees’ requirements. Consideration needs to be given to whether you intend to meet or go beyond the basic legal requirements.
For more information or to read our guide on the new legislation in Dubai, please visit our website or watch our on demand presentation. You can also get in touch with our dedicated international team for specialist advice and support.
James Spencer
International Development Manager, Jelf International
* Source: The Guardian, UK-Expat Guide
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