Dubai residents have just 17 days left, until December 31, to get health insurance, or face stiff fines, an official said on Wednesday.
From January 1, 2017, the fine for each resident who does not have mandatory health cover is Dh500 per month.
This amount must be paid by either an employee’s sponsor, or a resident who is sponsoring dependants. If not covered by a an employee’s company, dependants can include spouses, children and domestic workers such as houseboys, maids and nannies.
As well as the fine, no new visa will be granted and no existing one renewed without health insurance.
This rule will be enforced in cooperation between Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).