The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates have issued a joint advisory urging Indian nationals to secure adequate medical insurance before travelling to the UAE or while residing there. The advisory has been published in several languages, including English, Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu.
Under the advisory, visitors should arrange insurance before their trip begins that covers cashless medical treatment as well as the cost of repatriation to India if needed. Residents on employment visas, along with their dependents, are advised to check whether their existing policies cover the full range of medical expenses in the UAE and repatriation costs back to India.
The Indian missions said the advisory follows a rise in cases of Indian nationals facing sudden illness or medical emergencies in the UAE, where insufficient insurance coverage left patients with medical bills beyond their financial means. the UAE is home to roughly 4.5 million Indian expatriates, among the largest expatriate communities in the country. A Life Protection Plan, expanded in 2025, offers coverage of up to AED 35,000 for workers aged 18 to 69 at an annual premium of AED 32.
The missions stressed that the warning is particularly relevant for tourists and short-term visitors, who in many cases travel without adequate insurance cover.