No residence visa for retired expats without health insurance: Dubai official

Dubai: Health insurance will be mandatory for expatriates who, after retiring, wish to continue living in Dubai. The new Health Insurance Act makes health insurance mandatory for all citizens and residents, said Dr Haider Al Yousuf, Director of Health Financing, Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Speaking to Emarat Al Youm, Dr Yousuf was quoted as saying that a health insurance policy will be required for issuing a residence visa to an expat who has retired, but wants to continue to live in the emirate. Also, visas will not be renewed without health insurance in place for the applicant. If a relative - like son, or wife – are sponsoring, it is binding upon them to ensure the applicant has a health insurance package. The report also quoted DHA Director-General Essa Al Maidoor as saying that the National Health Insurance Law is coming into effect in stages and has begun with some categories. He added that the law will cover all citizens by end-2015 and all residents by mid-2016. Emirates 24/7