As the date for enforcing penalties for those who have not complied with the Dubai mandatory health insurance scheme nears, Dubai Health Authority, DHA, has urged sponsors who have not yet provided their employees and dependents with insurance to complete the process as soon as possible.

The last and final phase in the three-year rollout ended on 31st July 2016, however the authorities delayed the issuance of penalties on individuals until 31st December. Penalties are already in place for those companies who fall into the earlier roll out phases (Phases 1 and 2) and have not complied with the deadlines.

Presently, approximately 88 percent of the population with Dubai visas have mandatory health insurance. "Those who have not complied with the law are already in violation and the penalties on individuals will begin after the year ends. However, we urge the public not to wait until the last day," Dr. Haider Al Yousuf, Director of Health Funding at the DHA, said.

DHA has partnered with General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, GDRFA, so that no new visa will be issued or an existing one renewed where the individual concerned does not have health insurance coverage in place at the time of visa application or renewal.

"The cooperation with GDRFA is to ensure compliance but people who fall under phase three need to understand that the fines will apply after the due date, so they cannot wait until their visa renewal date unless it is earlier than December 31st, because they will accumulate fines," said Al Yousuf.

The fine is AED500 per employee, per month, and will be applicable from January 1st, 2017.