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This guide answers the seven questions Golden Visa applicants ask most often: what insurance is required, how much it costs in 2026, what it covers, which insurers are approved, how to apply, how dependents are handled, and what happens when your visa comes up for renewal.
Do you need health insurance for a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes. Valid health insurance is a listed requirement for UAE Golden Residence, and the local authority in each emirate sets the detail. Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 governs health insurance in Dubai, and DoH ties Law No. 23 of 2005 to health insurance in Abu Dhabi.
Your insurance must be active before the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) will issue your Golden Visa. ICP lists a valid health insurance policy within the UAE as a condition for the six-month entry visa used to complete Golden Residency procedures.
One point that catches many applicants off guard: standard travel insurance does not meet the requirement. The plan must be a comprehensive health insurance policy issued by a UAE-licensed insurer, not a travel policy or an international plan without UAE-registered network access.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, investors, entrepreneurs and talent applicants need comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family members. ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for several residence categories in its residence permit service. The sections below show what each official source says, route by route and emirate by emirate.
Sources: ICP residence permit service and Ministry of Economy and Tourism
What do the official sources say for each Golden Visa route?
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism says investors, entrepreneurs and talent applicants need comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family members, as set by the local authority. The table quotes the wording closely for each route.
Route | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
Exceptional talents | Applicants "must have comprehensive health insurance coverage for themselves and their family members when applying for the golden visa, in accordance with the guidelines set by the competent local authority." | Ministry of Economy and Tourism, investment FAQ |
Entrepreneurs | The entrepreneur "must have a comprehensive health insurance for himself and his family members effective when applying for a golden residence or as applied by the competent local authority." | Ministry of Economy and Tourism, investment FAQ |
Real estate investors | The investor "shall have comprehensive health insurance for himself and his family members for the duration of the stay or as applied by the competent local authority." | Ministry of Economy and Tourism, investment FAQ |
Public investment investors | "A comprehensive health insurance for the investor and his/her family members is required when applying for a golden residence or as applied by the competent local authority." | Ministry of Economy and Tourism, investment FAQ |
Real estate investors in Dubai (family and parents residence) | The Dubai Land Department Golden Visa investor service lists health insurance among the requirements for family residence and for parents residence. | Dubai Land Department |
Each source points to the local authority for the detail. The next sections cover Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Sources: Ministry of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Land Department.
What is the rule in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi splits Golden Visa applicants into two groups: employees working in Abu Dhabi, whose employers keep paying for their health insurance, and all other applicants, who must show cover for themselves and their family members.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) announced this rule on 31 October 2021. DoH says the employer duty for the first group follows Health Insurance Law No. 23/2005, as amended. For the second group, DoH says the cover must stay valid for the whole period the applicant resides in the UAE.
If an applicant has no cover, DoH says the applicant signs an undertaking to arrange it and pays healthcare costs until then.
Source: Department of Health Abu Dhabi
What is the rule in Dubai and the other emirates?
Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai under Law No. 11 of 2013, and sponsors must extend cover to dependants such as spouses and children.
According to the Dubai government, employers in Dubai, including those in free zones, are responsible for providing health insurance to their employees. The Dubai government page links the list of qualified insurance companies and the text of the law. For the legal background, read the HAYAH guide to UAE health insurance law. For the other emirates, check the requirement with the local health authority.
Source: Government of Dubai
Can you buy health insurance before the Golden Visa is issued?
Yes. ICP lists a valid health insurance policy within the UAE as a condition for the six-month multiple-entry visa used to complete Golden Residency procedures.
ICP describes this visa as a multiple-entry visa for 6 months that enables targeted categories to complete the procedures for obtaining the Golden Residency. The same service lists a passport valid for no less than 6 months as a second condition. The required documents are the passport, a personal photo and the supporting documents for Golden Residency eligibility.
Source: ICP entry visa service
How much does Golden Visa health insurance cost in the UAE?
Golden Visa health insurance in the UAE typically costs between AED 1,100 and AED 28,000 per year, depending on the holder's age, the coverage tier selected, and the number of dependents included. Basic compliant plans for healthy adults under 35 start around AED 1,100 per year, while Premier plans for older applicants with worldwide coverage can exceed AED 28,000.
Price ranges by age band
The largest single factor affecting premium is age. The table below shows typical annual premiums for a single adult at each tier:
Age band | Basic compliant (AED/yr) | Enhanced (AED/yr) | Premier (AED/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
18 to 35 | 1,100 to 1,800 | 3,500 to 5,000 | 7,500 to 12,000 |
36 to 50 | 1,800 to 3,000 | 5,000 to 8,000 | 12,000 to 18,000 |
51 to 65 | 3,000 to 5,500 | 8,000 to 13,000 | 18,000 to 28,000 |
65 and over | 5,500 to 9,000 | 13,000 to 20,000 | 28,000 and above |
Basic, Enhanced, and Premier plans explained
Basic compliant plans meet the DHA / DoH / MOHAP minimum of AED 150,000 annual limit and cover inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and specialist care within a local network. They are the most affordable option and are suitable for Golden Visa holders in good health who primarily use UAE-based medical services.
Enhanced plans typically raise the annual limit to AED 1,000,000 or more, add partial non-network coverage (around 80 percent outside the preferred network), and include extras such as maternity, routine dental, and pre-existing condition coverage after a short waiting period.
Premier plans offer annual limits of AED 5,000,000 or higher, worldwide coverage (usually excluding the US and Canada, which require separate riders), full non-network reimbursement, no waiting periods for chronic or pre-existing conditions, and generous limits for dental, optical, mental health, and maternity care.
What affects your premium
Age is the biggest driver, but five other factors also matter:
Dependents added to the plan (spouse, children, parents) increase the family premium roughly proportionally, with age bands applied to each person individually.
Pre-existing conditions declared at application may trigger underwriting loadings or exclusions on Basic plans; Enhanced and Premier plans typically cover them with no loading.
Chosen network tier (narrow, standard, or royal) affects both premium and which hospitals you can visit without co-payment.
Territorial scope (UAE only, regional, or worldwide) scales the premium up by roughly 30 to 100 percent at each step.
Deductible and co-payment choices can reduce the premium by 10 to 20 percent if you accept a higher out-of-pocket share on outpatient visits.
What does UAE Golden Visa insurance cover?
A compliant Golden Visa health insurance plan covers inpatient hospital care, outpatient consultations, emergency treatment, diagnostic testing, prescription medication, and specialist referrals. Above the mandatory minimum, plans vary widely in what they include. The table below shows what to expect at each tier:
Coverage area | Basic (DHA/DoH minimum) | Enhanced | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual benefit limit | AED 150,000 | AED 1,000,000 | AED 5,000,000+ |
Inpatient (network) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Inpatient (non-network) | 50% | 80% | 100% |
Outpatient (network) | 100% (small co-pay) | 100% | 100% |
Emergency (regional) | Included | Included | Included |
Maternity | Not included | AED 7,500 | AED 15,000+ |
Routine dental | Not included | 80% up to AED 1,500 | 80% up to AED 15,000 |
Optical | Not included | Not included | 2 tests/yr, AED 500 |
Chronic conditions | 6-month waiting period | No waiting period | No waiting period |
Pre-existing conditions | Case-by-case | Covered | Covered |
Mental health | Not covered | Limited sessions | Up to USD 2,725 |
Territorial scope | UAE only | UAE plus Arab region | Worldwide excl. US/Canada |
Inpatient and outpatient coverage
Inpatient coverage pays for hospital admissions, surgeries, and overnight stays. At network hospitals, all three tiers pay 100 percent. Outside the network, Basic plans cover only 50 percent of the cost, which can leave holders with substantial bills for planned procedures at non-network facilities. Enhanced and Premier plans close this gap.
Outpatient coverage pays for clinic visits, consultations, diagnostic tests, and prescriptions. Basic plans typically carry a small co-payment (around AED 20 to 50) on each visit; Enhanced and Premier plans waive it at network providers.
Maternity, dental, optical, mental health
None of these are required by DHA or DoH minimums, so Basic plans exclude them entirely. Applicants who need maternity cover in particular should budget for an Enhanced or Premier plan, since adding maternity as a rider to a Basic plan is usually more expensive than simply upgrading.
Mental health coverage is the most variable category across UAE insurers. Pacific Prime and international providers offer 15 to 30 sessions per year on Premier tiers, while most local Basic plans exclude it completely. Applicants with ongoing therapy needs should check session limits and provider networks carefully.
Pre-existing and chronic conditions
Under UAE insurance regulations, chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and similar) must be covered on all compliant plans, but Basic plans can impose a waiting period of up to six months before benefits apply. Enhanced and Premier plans typically cover chronic conditions from day one.
Pre-existing conditions (anything diagnosed before the policy start date) are handled on a case-by-case basis on Basic plans and are usually covered outright on Enhanced and Premier plans after a declaration at application. Failing to declare a known condition can void the policy, so honesty at underwriting is essential.
Territorial scope: UAE only, regional, or worldwide
Territorial scope determines where your plan pays claims. Basic plans cover treatment inside the UAE only, with a small allowance for emergency care during short trips abroad (typically 60 to 90 days per trip). Enhanced plans extend routine coverage to the wider Arab region, and Premier plans cover you worldwide, with the US and Canada usually requiring a separate rider due to higher medical costs in those markets.
If you travel frequently or split your time between the UAE and another country, choose at least an Enhanced tier. A Premier worldwide plan is worth the extra premium for frequent international travellers.
Who are the approved Golden Visa insurers in the UAE?
The UAE Insurance Authority and each emirate's health regulator approve dozens of insurers. For Golden Visa holders, the most commonly chosen options include:
Daman — the largest UAE health insurer, with a network of 2,500+ providers across all seven emirates and tiered plans from Core Silver to Premier.
Orient Insurance — part of Al-Futtaim Group, offering compliant individual and family plans with strong local network access.
Salama Islamic Arab Insurance — Sharia-compliant takaful plans covering Golden Visa requirements for applicants who prefer Islamic financial products.
Allianz Partners — international provider with UAE presence, popular for worldwide-coverage Premier plans.
Cigna Global — international provider with high annual limits (including an unlimited option), favoured by senior applicants and frequent travellers.
HAYAH — UAE-licensed and Central Bank-regulated, offering Health Protect as part of the bundled Golden Visa Saver product (covered in a later section).
All six are DHA-approved or DoH-approved, depending on the emirate of residence. Applicants typically compare two or three providers before choosing, and many use a broker to get side-by-side quotes.
How do you apply for Golden Visa insurance? Step-by-step
For the entry visa, ICP asks for a valid UAE health insurance policy and a passport valid for at least six months.
With the policy and passport in place, the applicant submits the passport, a personal photo and the supporting documents for Golden Residency eligibility. The health insurance requirement for the residence itself depends on the route and the emirate, as the sections above show. For the wider residence process, read the HAYAH guide to health insurance for a residence visa.
Source: ICP entry visa service
The application process for Golden Visa health insurance runs in parallel with the visa application itself.
Day 1 to 3: Gather documents. Prepare your passport, Emirates ID (if you already hold UAE residency), passport-size photos, proof of Golden Visa eligibility (investment certificate, employment contract, or talent nomination), and a basic medical history if you are declaring pre-existing conditions.
Day 4 to 7: Request quotes. Approach two or three approved insurers (or a broker) for quotes at your chosen tier. Compare annual limits, network, territorial scope, and maternity or dental inclusions if relevant.
Day 8 to 12: Underwriting and issuance. Once you choose a plan, the insurer completes underwriting (usually a form-based medical declaration; physical exams are rare unless flagged). You pay the annual premium and the insurer issues the policy document and insurance certificate.
Day 13 to 20: ICP review. Submit the insurance certificate along with your Golden Visa application to ICP (or through a licensed visa processor). ICP reviews your investment proof, background check, and insurance document together.
Day 21 to 25: Visa issuance. Your Golden Visa is stamped and your Emirates ID is updated.
If any step is delayed (most commonly due to incomplete documents or underwriting questions), the whole process extends by the duration of the delay.
UAE Golden Visa health insurance for dependents and family
Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children (including adult unmarried daughters and sons under 25 in education), and parents under the standard UAE residency rules. Each sponsored dependent must carry their own compliant health insurance policy.
The Dubai Land Department Golden Visa investor service lists health insurance among the requirements for both family residence and parents residence. ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for sponsoring family members in its residence permit service. The Dubai government adds that sponsors in Dubai must extend cover to dependants such as spouses and children.
Questions about a family plan for your Golden Visa? Ask HAYAH about the Golden Visa
Sources: Dubai Land Department and Government of Dubai
For spouses and children under 18, most insurers offer family plans that bundle dependents. Children are usually priced at a lower band than adults.
For parents, age-related underwriting applies. Parents over 65 almost always require a Premier or international tier because Basic plans are either unavailable or come with heavy pre-existing condition loadings.
Each dependent's insurance must be in place before ICP will stamp their dependent visa.
Can employer insurance count?
Employees working in Abu Dhabi keep employer-paid health insurance under the DoH rule, and Dubai employers must insure their employees.
DoH says employers of Abu Dhabi employees continue to bear the cost of health insurance under Health Insurance Law No. 23/2005. The Dubai government says employers in Dubai, including those in free zones, are responsible for providing health insurance to their employees. Neither source states that an employer plan always meets the Golden Visa requirement, so confirm the position with the health authority of your emirate.
Sources: Department of Health Abu Dhabi and Government of Dubai
What happens to your insurance after 10 years?
The UAE Golden Visa is valid for 5 or 10 years and is renewable provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria (for the investor route, this means maintaining the qualifying investment). Your health insurance must remain active for the entire visa period without lapse; a gap in coverage can delay visa renewal.
When your Golden Visa comes up for renewal, you or your broker submits a new insurance certificate along with proof that your underlying eligibility (investment, employment, or talent nomination) is still in place. Make sure your renewal invoice is paid before the expiry date.
ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents in its residence permit service. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism says real estate investors need comprehensive health insurance for the duration of the stay. Sources: ICP residence permit service and Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
If you withdraw the underlying investment or lose eligibility mid-term, your visa is cancelled.
HAYAH's Golden Visa Saver: a bundled alternative
If you prefer to handle insurance, investment, and visa paperwork through a single provider rather than running parallel processes with separate banks, insurers, and visa offices, HAYAH offers the Golden Visa Saver. It is an all-in-one package designed specifically for Golden Visa applicants.
HAYAH’s Golden Visa Saver combines a capital-protected investment of at least AED 2 million with health and life insurance, and HAYAH covers the health insurance and visa processing fees. The product has a minimum holding period of 2 years.
What's included:
Smart Saver — a capital-protected AED 2,000,000 investment that meets the investor-route minimum. Your principal is secure regardless of market conditions for the entire term.
Health Protect — comprehensive UAE-approved health insurance that meets DHA, DoH, and MOHAP requirements from day one, including chronic conditions with no waiting period.
Life coverage — built-in life insurance so dependents remain protected if the Golden Visa holder dies during the visa term.
Visa processing support — HAYAH coordinates document submission, KYC and AML checks, insurance certification, and ICP liaison through its partner visa service providers. Visa and processing costs are covered; the applicant's only direct expense is the investment itself.
Why applicants choose the bundle: applicants deal with one point of contact for the life of the visa. If you leave the UAE before the visa expires, HAYAH can advise on insurance continuation.
HAYAH is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. The Golden Visa Saver is suitable for investors who want a hands-off process and are comfortable using a single provider across the investment, insurance, and visa application.
Ask HAYAH about the Golden Visa
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance mandatory for a UAE Golden Visa? Yes. Valid health insurance is a listed requirement for UAE Golden Residence, and the local authority in each emirate sets the detail.
Can I buy health insurance before my Golden Visa is stamped? Yes. ICP lists a valid health insurance policy within the UAE as a condition for the six-month multiple-entry visa used to complete Golden Residency procedures. The same service lists a passport valid for no less than 6 months.
What are the Golden Visa health insurance requirements in Abu Dhabi? Abu Dhabi splits Golden Visa applicants into two groups: employees working in Abu Dhabi, whose employers keep paying for their health insurance, and all other applicants, who must show cover for themselves and their family members. If an applicant has no cover, DoH says the applicant signs an undertaking to arrange it and pays healthcare costs until then. The rule dates from the DoH announcement of 31 October 2021.
How much does Golden Visa health insurance cost in the UAE? Premiums typically range from AED 1,100 per year for a Basic compliant plan for a healthy adult under 35, up to AED 28,000 or more per year for a Premier plan with worldwide coverage for an applicant over 65. Age, coverage tier, dependents, and territorial scope are the main drivers.
What benefits does the UAE Golden Visa have beyond insurance? The Golden Visa grants 5 or 10 years of renewable UAE residency without the need for an employer sponsor, the right to sponsor dependents (spouse, children, parents), full access to UAE banking and education services, and the ability to live, work, and invest across all seven emirates.
What happens to your Golden Visa and insurance after 10 years? The visa is renewable provided you continue to meet eligibility criteria. Insurance must remain continuously active. If you withdraw a qualifying investment or lose eligibility, the visa is cancelled.
Does travel insurance meet the Golden Visa requirement? No. The plan must be a comprehensive health insurance policy issued by a UAE-licensed insurer, not a travel policy. Standard travel insurance does not qualify.
Regulatory note
HAYAH is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. Health Protect is underwritten in line with DHA Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 (Dubai), DoH Health Insurance Policy (Abu Dhabi), and MOHAP Health Insurance Law No. 23 of 2005 (other emirates). The Smart Saver investment meets ICP investor-route criteria under the 2024 Golden Visa framework. This article is for general information and does not constitute regulated financial or insurance advice. Coverage specifics, premiums, and eligibility should be confirmed directly with a licensed HAYAH advisor before purchase.
Sources and regulatory references
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). Golden Residency entry visa
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). Issuing Residency Permit
Ministry of Economy and Tourism. Investment FAQ
Dubai Land Department. Golden Visa investor service
Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Announcement of 31 October 2021 on health insurance for Golden Visas
Government of Dubai. Health insurance
HAYAH. Golden Visa Saver