Safety and Travel Insurance Advice for the UAE
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, the UAE offers excellent medical facilities. Many of them are accredited by international medical and hospital associations. Since 2008, the country has been working to unify and stabilize its healthcare system.
While medical care is exceptional in many areas of the UAE, it can also be expensive. Therefore, it is a good idea to have international travel health Insurance when you enter the UAE. A UAE travel insurance plan will ensure that you can get the best care available in an emergency without worrying about the costs.
Travel Insurance Plans for Visitors to the UAE
The UAE has some excellent hospitals and offers overall great healthcare. However, services can be costly for visitors who are not insured. We recommend the following travel insurance plans for visitors to the UAE.
Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance
- For U.S. citizens and residents up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
General Safety Tips and Staying Healthy in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a relatively safe travel destination. Most incidents arise from either cultural differences or adverse weather conditions, both of which can be mitigated with the appropriate knowledge and preparation.
Desert Life
The UAE is a subtropical desert. The country typically experiences very hot summers, with the highest temperatures in July and August, and fairly dry, mild winters. The country rarely receives rainfall, making dust storms a significant hazard; however, when rain does occur, flooding can also be a problem.
Heatstroke is one of the most common issues travelers to the UAE experience. Be sure to drink plenty of water. However, you should avoid drinking tap water or beverages containing ice made with it, as they may be contaminated with bacteria or other impurities. Bottled water or carbonated beverages in a can are the safest choices for drinking.
Clothing
Due to the hot climate, tourists are often tempted to wear loose-fitting, casual clothing. Dress codes in the UAE are closely tied to religious views and even the legal system. Men should dress conservatively and show very little skin. Women should follow these rules more strictly, ensuring they do not show bare shoulders, knees, legs, or arms.
In some areas, although usually not in the touristy parts, women may be required to cover their faces as well. While this may be inconvenient, covering up is also the best way to protect against extreme sun exposure, in addition to wearing sunscreen whenever outdoors.
UAE Travel Vaccines and Medicines
Vaccinations
Before departing for the UAE, ensure you are up to date with all routine vaccinations. The CDC recommends that travelers to and expats in the UAE get a booster shot for hepatitis A and typhoid, both of which can be spread through food. The best way to avoid these diseases is to avoid undercooked food or game meat, which is typically not served in the US.
Some travelers may also want to get a Hepatitis B shot. If you prefer not to, this disease can be prevented by avoiding sexual contact, abstaining from drug use that requires injection, and avoiding piercings or tattoos while abroad. Rabies vaccination is recommended only if you will be traveling through remote areas or working closely with animals.
There are a variety of international sites to help you stay up to date on any health advice that applies to a safe trip abroad.
MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is a viral respiratory illness that has occurred in countries throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Its symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. There are no advisories about avoiding travel due to it. Still, it is advisable to take precautions such as washing your hands, avoiding contact with ill individuals, and refraining from consuming raw camel milk (which has been linked to the disease in other countries).
People with weakened immune systems, diabetes, kidney disease, or chronic lung failure are considered high risk for MERS. There is currently no vaccination or standardized treatment for the virus. The disease is rare, and transmission requires very close contact.
Medicines
Some prescribed medicines from other countries are considered controlled substances in the UAE and, therefore, illegal. Check with your local embassy for a list and determine whether you need permission from the UAE Ministry of Health before your stay to bring medications with you. Without this permission, you may be prosecuted under UAE law.
Pharmacies
Most pharmacists in the UAE are expats themselves, and the industry is growing there. You can find pharmacies in most private and public hospitals, and the number is increasing as expatriate populations grow rapidly.
Outside of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 24-hour pharmacies may be difficult to locate in the UAE. Most are open Saturday-Thursday. Some may be open for limited hours on Friday, but most are closed due to religious activities.
Medical Services in the UAE
The healthcare system in the UAE has undergone substantial improvement over the last decade. Dubai has recently made it mandatory for all employers to provide free healthcare to their employees. Consultation and some care are free to nationals, and expatriates may receive subsidized medical services and easy access to facilities. However, it is generally recommended that visitors obtain UAE travel insurance to enter the country.
UAE travel insurance is required for certain visa types. If you don’t need a visa or can obtain one upon arrival, you don’t need travel insurance. However, getting travel insurance for the UAE will cover you if you find yourself in a difficult situation, such as a medical emergency.
All people residing in the UAE, citizens and expats, are required by law to have health insurance. Citizens living in the Emirate of Dubai who are not covered by any other insurance are eligible for the Saada program. The emirate also requires employers to provide health insurance for resident expatriates, but not their dependents.
Abu Dhabi covers its citizens through the Thiqa program; employers are required to provide health insurance for resident expatriates and their dependents (one spouse and up to three children).
If you will be working in the country, you will need international health insurance because a UAE travel insurance plan is insufficient. If you are moving to the UAE with your family, you will also need to arrange coverage for your dependents. In most instances, the exception is certain dependents in Abu Dhabi.
You will also need to arrange protection for other dependents and any domestic workers you will employ. You may also want to consider arranging for international health insurance if the UAE health insurance provided by your employer is insufficient for your needs.
International Health Insurance Plans for Expats Living in the UAE
William Russell and Cigna Global offer compliant coverage in the UAE. They are among the best expat insurance plans in the UAE due to their excellent support, extensive network of healthcare providers, and flexible plans.
William Russell Health Insurance
- Worldwide coverage with access to private hospitals and trusted medical networks.
- Comprehensive benefits, covering inpatient care, outpatient treatment, mental health, and emergency evacuation.
- Flexible plan levels that let expats choose the coverage and budget that fit their lifestyle.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Visa Options for Traveling or Working in the UAE
Most travelers to and expatriates in the UAE are required to apply for a visa. Even if you are only transiting through the airport and will be there for less than 8 hours, you will still need a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on your reason for visiting the UAE and the duration of your stay.
If you are changing planes in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and have more than 8 hours between flights, you will need to obtain a transit visa, which can be done through your airline or online. If you are staying longer, people of many nationalities can receive a tourist visa on arrival at the immigration counter at Dubai International Airport or Abu Dhabi International Airport. This will be valid for 30 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days for a fee.
If you hope to work in the United Arab Emirates, you will need the sponsorship of either the company hiring you or a resident of the UAE. The company will likely handle the visa process, but you will need to provide the required paperwork and take a blood test.
It is important to note that the UAE will detain and deport any non-citizen who tests positive for HIV, and may also do so for people testing positive for tuberculosis or hepatitis.
Citizens from GCC nations – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia – do not need a visa to travel to and work in the UAE. Be sure to cancel your work visa upon leaving the country to avoid complications.
UAE Travel Warnings and Alerts
Before traveling to the UAE, be sure to check your respective governmental website for any updates on warnings and alerts.
Follow the Local Law and Customs in the UAE
The UAE’s legal system is based on a civil law system, much like the U.S., although it incorporates some elements of Sharia law, which can be confusing for tourists. The word Sharia comes from Arabic and roughly translates to “morals.” Many of these laws relate to legal punishments for issues involving sexuality, hygiene, religion, etc. It is often associated with Islam, but it also has other uses in the Arab world.
Some of the legal issues travelers to the UAE should be aware of specifically involve physical affection between individuals, as well as drug and alcohol use. Kissing in public is illegal, and foreigners are deported on a regular basis for violating this law.
Additionally, premarital sex is a grievous violation, as is homosexuality, both of which have led to the prosecution of foreigners in recent years. Underage drinking, public drunkenness, and any form of drug use are also criminal offenses that can be prosecuted. Foreigners are subject to these laws and can face lengthy prison sentences or other severe consequences for violations.
While most of the population in the United Arab Emirates identifies as Muslim, the government has adopted a strict non-discrimination policy between religions. Proselytizing is forbidden, as is criticizing or preventing the practice of any religion.
That said, during the month of Ramadan, it is illegal for both Muslims and non-Muslims to eat or drink in public during daylight hours.
The UAE has one of the most disproportionate gender ratios in the world, with three men per woman. This gender ratio is primarily driven by foreign male laborers, particularly in the construction sector. As a result, single females are often targeted by men.
That is not to say women are the only targets. A number of male tourists have reported rape and sexual assault by women and other men in the UAE. Unfortunately, because sex outside of marriage is illegal, people who report they have been raped are often arrested and imprisoned for months.
While the country has grown to economic prosperity for its protection of tourists and foreigners, it is also widely criticized for perceived human rights violations and failure to prosecute crimes against foreigners.
Emergency Service Contact Information:
- Police: 999
- Fire: 997
- Ambulance: 998
More emergency numbers can be found here on the UAE’s official governmental page.
Embassies in Abu Dhabi:
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Mackenzie is the Director of User Experience at ICI, creating intuitive, user-centered digital solutions for global insurance clients. With expertise in UX design and content strategy, she simplifies complex offerings to improve accessibility for expatriates, travelers, and international employers.
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