Is travel insurance mandatory for Dubai?
No. UAE immigration does not require travel insurance to issue or use a visit visa. Airlines check your visa and return ticket, not an insurance certificate.
Source: ICP / GDRFA checklistsIs Travel Insurance Mandatory for Dubai?
Travel insurance is not mandatory for a Dubai visit or tourist visa. UAE immigration does not ask for an insurance certificate when the visa is issued, your airline does not check for one at boarding, and immigration officers do not ask for one on arrival.
The document that is checked is your return or onward ticket. Airlines verify it at check in before boarding any passenger travelling on a visit visa. Full details in our guide: Is a return ticket mandatory for a Dubai tourist visa?
So insurance is a choice, not a condition of entry. We still arrange it for most of our UAE visit visa clients, because a single emergency room visit costs more than the AED 98 policy that would have covered the whole month. The full reasoning is in our blog: Is insurance mandatory for a Dubai visitors visa?
Beware the "mandatory insurance" scam. A common visa scam advertises a low visa price, takes payment, then demands a compulsory insurance fee before releasing the visa. There is no compulsory insurance fee for a Dubai visit visa. With Arabiers, insurance is always optional and always priced upfront.
Two Inbound Plans, Compared
We arrange two inbound plans through a UAE licensed insurer regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, with a 24 hour emergency medical assistance line answered in the UAE. Both plans are designed specifically for visitors entering the UAE on a visit or tourist visa.
| Benefit | Essential plan | Plus plan |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical expenses (in patient and out patient) | Up to AED 150,000 | Up to USD 50,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation | Up to AED 7,500 | Included in medical limit |
| Emergency dental (sudden pain) | Not included | Up to USD 500, USD 100 per tooth |
| Repatriation of remains | Up to AED 10,000 | Up to USD 5,000 |
| Emergency family travel | Not included | 1 economy return ticket if hospitalised over 6 consecutive days |
| Loss of personal baggage | Not included | Up to USD 2,500 |
| Baggage delay on arrival, over 3 hours | Not included | Up to USD 500 |
| Flight delay, over 6 hours | Not included | Up to USD 500 |
| Loss of personal money | Not included | Up to USD 300 |
| Loss of travel documents | Up to AED 500 | Up to USD 500 |
| Excess | Nil | USD 50 medical, USD 30 baggage, varies by section |
| Claims settlement | Direct billing at the hospital | Pay and reclaim for minor costs, direct guarantee for hospitalisation |
| Age at policy issue | 0 to 79, senior band 71 to 79 | 0 to 65 |
Choose Essential if you want the highest medical limit, no excess and direct billing, so the hospital settles with the insurer rather than handing you the bill. Choose Plus if you also want baggage, money and delays covered. Travellers aged 66 to 79 can only take Essential.
How Much Does Travel Insurance to Dubai Cost?
All inclusive pricing, no hidden charges, matched to the two visit visa durations:
| Duration | Traveller | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Days Most booked | Adult, up to 70 years | 98 AED | Single trip cover Certificate by email Covered from arrival |
| 60 Days | Adult, up to 70 years | 149 AED | Single trip cover Certificate by email Covered from arrival |
| 30 Days | Senior, 71 to 79 years | 289 AED | Single trip cover Certificate by email Covered from arrival |
| 60 Days | Senior, 71 to 79 years | 320 AED | Single trip cover Certificate by email Covered from arrival |
Prices include VAT and are verified as of September 2026. The Plus plan is quoted per traveller on request; message us with dates and ages for a same day quote. Why is the senior premium higher? Insurers price age bands on claims risk, and even AED 289 is a fraction of one emergency room visit paid out of pocket.
Why is travel insurance to Dubai expensive when bought abroad? Home country insurers price Dubai inside a worldwide band. A UAE issued inbound policy is priced for the UAE only, which is why it starts at AED 98 instead of hundreds.
Are premiums refundable?
No. Once the premium is paid, cancellation is at the insurer's sole discretion and premiums are not refunded or transferred. The policy also lapses without refund if you are later issued UAE health insurance, for example on converting to a residence visa. This is an insurer rule stated in the policy wording, not an agency policy.
Get Insured in 5 Steps
01
Message us on WhatsApp
Or apply alongside your visit visa or express visa in one application.
02
Share passport copies, dates and ages
We confirm the right plan and price in minutes.
03
Pay securely online
Stripe in 135 currencies, bank deposit, transfer, or visit the office at Hamarain Centre, Deira, Dubai.
04
Certificate issued
Delivered by email, usually within a few working hours. Flying tomorrow? Tell us and we prioritise it.
05
Carry it with your visa
Keep the certificate with your visa copy and return ticket. Cover begins when you enter the UAE.
The Rules That Catch Travellers Out
These conditions come straight from the policy wording. Knowing them before you buy is the difference between a paid claim and a rejected one.
Buy before you fly
The policy must be purchased before you depart for the UAE. The insurer will not issue one after your journey has started.
Cover starts on arrival
Medical cover begins when you enter the UAE, not on the purchase date. Flight and baggage delay cover under the Plus plan runs from the policy start date on your certificate.
Match the policy to your visa
The policy is issued against a valid single entry visa or a six month multiple entry visa. Do not let cover end before your permitted stay does.
Multiple entry: 14 days per trip
Under the Plus plan, trips on a six month multiple entry visa are covered for a maximum of 14 days each.
Call before big bills
If you are hospitalised or costs are likely to exceed USD 250, call the 24 hour emergency line on your certificate first. Skipping this step can reduce or void the claim.
Claim within 30 days
Claims received more than 30 days after you return home are not considered.
Pre-existing conditions excluded
Conditions under treatment, investigation or prescribed medication before policy issue are not covered, nor are claims arising indirectly from them.
Residence visa timing
The policy lapses once UAE health insurance is issued with a residence visa. Plan the timing if you intend to convert your visit visa to a residence visa.
What Is and Is Not Covered
Covered
Emergency treatment
Medical, surgical and medication costs for accidents and unexpected illness during your trip, in patient and out patient.
Hospitalisation
On a valid claim the insurer contacts the hospital and guarantees the fees directly, plus follow up treatment requested by the treating doctor for up to 30 days after first discharge.
Evacuation and repatriation
Transfer by airline, road ambulance or, where medically necessary, air ambulance, and repatriation of remains.
Lost travel documents
Extra transport, accommodation and administration costs to obtain a temporary passport or visa to get home.
Plus plan extras
Baggage loss and delay, flight delay, personal money, credit card fraud after theft, emergency dental, and emergency family travel.
Not covered
Pre-existing conditions
Also travel against a doctor's advice, and travel undertaken specifically to obtain treatment.
Trip cancellation
These are inbound medical plans, not cancellation policies. Cancellation cover for non refundable bookings must be arranged with an insurer in your home country when you book.
Unconfirmed activities
Sports and leisure activities not listed or confirmed in writing as covered. Ask us before booking high risk activities and we obtain written confirmation from the insurer.
Alcohol, drugs, illegal acts
Incidents while under the influence, or while acting illegally or maliciously.
Unattended valuables
Valuables left in vehicles or outside a locked safe or locked accommodation.
Epidemics and pandemics
Excluded under the Plus plan wording, in line with standard market practice.
How to Claim, Step by Step
1. Emergency
Call the 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance number printed on your Certificate of Insurance immediately if you are hospitalised, need repatriation, or costs will exceed USD 250. Have your policy number and age ready.
2. Minor costs
Pay, keep every original receipt and reclaim when you return.
3. Theft or loss
Report to the police within 24 hours and obtain a written report. For baggage delay, get a Property Irregularity Report from the airline within 7 days. For flight delay, get written confirmation of scheduled and actual departure times.
4. Submit
File the claim form with all documents within 30 days of returning home, using the claims contacts on your certificate. We help our clients prepare the file at no charge.
From the UK, India, the Philippines or Anywhere Else
Both plans accept residents of any country entering the UAE. The same policy, benefits and price apply whether you fly from London, Mumbai, Manila, Singapore, Nairobi, Johannesburg or New York. There is no nationality loading and no country specific product to hunt for.
Two practical notes. First, buy before departure from your home country, as the wording requires. Second, if your passport needs a prearranged visa, we issue the visa and the insurance together through our UAE visit visa service.
Transiting through Dubai
If you only transit airside without entering the UAE, inbound cover is not required and does not apply, since cover starts on legal entry. If you leave the airport on a transit or visit visa, even for a day, the 30 day policy covers you.
Flying Out of Dubai? Outbound Insurance Is Different
The plans on this page cover people coming into the UAE. If you are a UAE resident travelling out, the rules reverse: Schengen visa applications require proof of medical cover of at least EUR 30,000 valid across the Schengen area, and several other destinations expect insurance in the visa file. We arrange outbound policies alongside visa applications through our visa concierge. Message us with your destination and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Entry is not conditional on insurance. Airlines check your visa and return ticket, not an insurance certificate. It remains strongly recommended because visitors pay full private rates for healthcare in the UAE.
AED 98 for 30 days or AED 149 for 60 days for adults up to 70, including VAT. Seniors aged 71 to 79 pay AED 289 for 30 days and AED 320 for 60 days.
No. At AED 98 for a month it is one of the cheapest items in a Dubai trip. Quotes only become expensive from home country insurers that price Dubai inside a worldwide band. A UAE issued inbound policy is priced for the UAE only.
Emergency in patient and out patient treatment, surgery, medication, hospital fees and nursing, up to AED 150,000 on the Essential plan or USD 50,000 on the Plus plan, plus emergency evacuation and repatriation. On a valid claim the insurer contacts the hospital and guarantees the fees.
The Plus plan does: up to USD 2,500 for baggage that is lost, stolen or damaged, with per item limits of USD 500 for valuables and USD 125 for single items, and up to USD 500 for baggage delayed more than 3 hours on arrival. The Essential plan is medical only.
No. Both are inbound plans that cover you inside the UAE. Trip cancellation cover must be bought in your home country at the time of booking, and we say this plainly so you can arrange it where it actually exists.
Only activities confirmed in writing as covered. Standard desert safaris with licensed operators are a normal tourist excursion, while activities such as skydiving are typically outside standard cover. Tell us your plans and we obtain written confirmation before you buy.
The inbound plans cover the UAE, and the Plus plan wording also extends to Oman and Bahrain, which suits the classic Dubai, Muscat and Manama circuit. For a wider itinerary, take a worldwide policy at home and use our plan as low cost primary cover for the UAE leg.
There is no insurance requirement in the visa application itself. The policy simply needs to match your visa: it is issued against a valid single entry visa or a six month multiple entry visa, and multi entry trips are covered up to 14 days each under the Plus plan.
It is priced for one defined stay, so it is cheap, and it matches the 30 or 60 day visit visa durations exactly, so you are never paying for cover you cannot use.
No. Conditions under treatment, investigation or prescribed medication before policy issue are excluded, as are claims arising indirectly from them. If you have a significant condition, declare it when you enquire and we will tell you honestly what the plan will and will not do.
Call the 24 hour emergency number on your certificate immediately for hospitalisation or when costs will exceed USD 250. For everything else, pay, keep originals and submit the claim form within 30 days of returning home. We help prepare the file at no charge.
A UAE licensed insurer regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. The insurer's name, policy number and 24 hour emergency contacts are printed on the Certificate of Insurance you receive before you fly. Arabiers Travel and Tourism LLC, DET licence 1176592, arranges the policy as your travel agency.
Yes. Insurance only orders are welcome. Send your passport copy, travel dates and age on WhatsApp and we issue the certificate the same working day in most cases.