“Human Resources and Emiratisation” issues a guide to the procedures currently applied to the health insurance system for workers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a guide to link the issuance and renewal of some work permits electronically to fulfilling the requirement to provide a health insurance document, without creating any new obligations on employers, as the guide is limited to organizing the procedures already applied and linking them automatically within the system for issuing and renewing permits.

The guide comes within the framework of completing the implementation of the health insurance system for workers registered with private sector establishments and auxiliary service workers, and provides a clearer and more transparent regulatory framework, which supports the sustainability of labor market governance, raises the efficiency of government services, and preserves the rights of all parties to the employment relationship.

The guide enhances electronic integration between the procedures for issuing and renewing work permits and the requirements for verifying the provision of health insurance coverage for workers, which increases the efficiency of verifying the fulfillment of requirements through digital systems, ensures the sustainability of health protection for workers, and enhances compliance and speed of completion of procedures to facilitate employers.

The guide reiterates the procedures currently in effect in terms of not issuing or renewing covered work permits, except after verifying that a valid health insurance document is provided to the worker in accordance with the controls and standards approved by the Ministry.

The guide specifies the controls governing the health insurance policy, including its compliance with the minimum requirements for approved insurance coverage, its validity throughout the duration of the work permit, and not charging the worker any part of the cost of subscription or renewal, in addition to ensuring continuity of coverage and not canceling the policy during the validity period of the permit, which would lead to the worker being exposed during this period.

It is noteworthy that the health insurance system for workers at the state level was completed at the beginning of 2025, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers to include workers registered with private sector institutions and establishments and auxiliary service workers in the Northern Emirates, as a complement to the health insurance systems previously applied in other emirates, ensuring that all emirates of the country are included in the health insurance system for workers in a way that supports the provision of a decent life for them and enhances the competitiveness of the Emirati labor market.