Since 2026, travel health insurance covering your full intended stay is a mandatory document for pre-arranged UAE visit visa applications — no longer an optional recommendation, but a required part of the application itself.
What the requirement actually covers
The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in the UAE, not just a portion of it — a policy that expires partway through your trip would not satisfy the requirement for that full period. This applies specifically to pre-arranged visit visa applications; travellers entering under visa-free or standard visa-on-arrival arrangements should still check whether any insurance requirement applies to their specific entry category.
Why this changed
Mandatory travel insurance for visit visa holders reduces the risk of visitors facing serious medical costs without coverage during their stay, and aligns the UAE with a growing number of destinations that require proof of health coverage as a visa condition rather than a suggestion.
What to do before applying
Arrange a compliant travel health insurance policy before submitting your visit visa application, confirm it explicitly covers your full planned stay dates, and keep the policy documentation accessible, since it may be requested again at any point during your visit, not only at the application stage.