Information presented by the United Insurance Companies about the terms of insurance accompanying a tourist visa indicates that this insurance is intended exclusively for providing assistance in cases of emergency, regardless of the age of the visitor. Companies offer various options for medical insurance for residents of the UAE. As for visitors, arriving for a month or longer, their insurance only covers urgent treatment, as specified in the medical insurance policy.
All this became clear after requests from residents regarding available insurance options for their relatives arriving in the country on a tourist visa, including elderly family members. The inquiries were related to the possibility of visiting medical institutions within the country under this type of insurance.
Abdulmuhsen Jabber, a member of the Council of the United Insurance Companies and chairman of the medical insurance committee, stated: "The situation with elderly visitors is not different in terms of insurance coverage than with young people. Insurance is only available in case of acute medical emergencies, regardless of whether this is a chronic illness or not."
He added that other medical services and insurance benefits are intended only for residents of the country, but not for visitors, considering that a visitor usually arrives for a specific period and then departs.
"For example, if a person has hypertension or diabetes, and he arrives in the country as a guest, regular consultations for these illnesses and other similar procedures are not included in the insurance provided for visitors. However, if due to this other critical or acute problems arise, they will certainly be covered by the insurance company."
Prices for medical insurance required for a tourist visa start from 50 dirhams and can vary depending on the company and the duration of the visit, whether it is one month, two, or three.
