{"id":57628,"date":"2026-11-12T11:51:22","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T07:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buyanyinsurance.ae\/blog\/?p=57628"},"modified":"2026-11-12T11:51:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T07:51:24","slug":"5-year-multiple-entry-visa-uae-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buyanyinsurance.ae\/blog\/en\/5-year-multiple-entry-visa-uae-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"What Insurance Do You Need for a 5-Year Multiple Entry UAE Visa?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 5-year multiple-entry UAE visa needs one type of insurance: health insurance issued in the UAE<\/a> and valid for 180 days when you apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICP has also confirmed that every later trip needs valid UAE-approved health cover for the whole stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel insurance is optional and covers flights, bags and cancellations. Start with the mandatory one: compare health insurance plans<\/a> before you open the visa application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying for the 5-year visa? Sort the mandatory UAE-issued health insurance first.<\/p>Get a visa health insurance quote<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5-year multiple entry visa insurance at a glance<\/p>

Mandatory insurance<\/strong>UAE-issued health insurance, valid for 180 days to apply<\/span><\/div>
Later trips<\/strong>Valid UAE-approved cover for the whole stay, for you and family with you<\/span><\/div>
Optional insurance<\/strong>Travel insurance for flights, bags and cancellations<\/span><\/div>
Time allowed in the UAE<\/strong>90 days per visit, extendable by 90; 180 days a year maximum<\/span><\/div>
First entry<\/strong>Within 2 months of the visa being issued<\/span><\/div>
Mandatory: compare visa health insurance<\/a>Optional: add travel insurance<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5-Year Visa Health Insurance in Dubai vs Abu Dhabi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The health insurance rule follows the authority that issues your 5-year visa. GDRFA Dubai handles applications through Dubai; ICP handles Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying Through Dubai (GDRFA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GDRFA Dubai asks for valid health insurance in the UAE but does not state a policy length. Buy 180 days anyway, from an insurer licensed in Dubai, so the policy length never holds up the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not sure which insurers can sell health cover in Dubai? Our guide to ISAHD health insurance<\/a><\/strong> explains how Dubai\u2019s health insurance system works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying through GDRFA Dubai? Get health insurance that works with Dubai hospitals.<\/p>Compare health insurance in Dubai<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Applying Through Abu Dhabi (ICP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICP is strict: health insurance issued in the UAE and valid for 180 days. Pick a plan with Abu Dhabi hospitals in the network. Applying from Sharjah, Ajman or RAK? Compare health insurance UAE<\/a> plans instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you pick a hospital network, see our list of the best hospitals in Abu Dhabi.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flying Etihad to Abu Dhabi?<\/strong> Etihad gives eligible visitors free Daman medical cover for up to 15 days on trips between July and December 2026. The 15-day Etihad cover does not meet the 180-day rule for the 5-year visa, so keep your own visa health insurance.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Applying through ICP for Abu Dhabi? Get UAE-issued health insurance for the full 180 days.<\/p>Compare health insurance in Abu Dhabi<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Does “Health Insurance on Every Trip” Mean for the 5-Year Visa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every trip means every time you enter the UAE on the 5-year visa, a valid UAE health insurance policy must cover you from arrival day to departure day. The 5-year visa lasts five years; one health insurance policy does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most confusion comes from two different “180s” that sound the same but measure different things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “180”<\/th>What the 180 measures<\/th>What the 180 means for you<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
180-day health insurance<\/td>The policy runs for 180 calendar days from the start date, whether you are in the UAE or not<\/td>The policy can run out while you are at home, so a later trip may need new cover<\/td><\/tr>
180 days a year in the UAE<\/td>The visa lets you stay up to 180 days a year, counted from your first entry (90 days per visit, extendable by 90)<\/td>A visa year is 12 months, but the first health policy covers only about 6 of the 12 months<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Timeline<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5-Year Visa Health Insurance, Step by Step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Before you apply:<\/strong> buy UAE-issued health insurance valid for 180 days and upload the policy to the ICP or GDRFA application. Where the insurer allows, start the policy close to your planned arrival.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. First trip:<\/strong> enter the UAE within 2 months of the visa being issued. The 180-day policy covers the first trip if you leave before the policy end date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Later trips while the first policy is still running:<\/strong> no new policy is needed, as long as the departure date is on or before the policy end date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. A trip that runs past the policy end date:<\/strong> extend the policy, or buy new cover, before you fly, so arrival to departure is fully covered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Every trip after the first policy ends:<\/strong> buy new UAE health insurance that starts on arrival day and ends on or after departure day. Repeat for every visit until the 5-year visa expires.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Extending a stay by 90 days:<\/strong> extend the health insurance to the new exit date on the same day you extend the visa.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Keep the current policy certificate on your phone on every trip. A hospital asks for the policy first, and the certificate shows your cover dates at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before each trip, check your UAE visa status online<\/a> to confirm the 5-year visa is still valid. Staying longer than 90 days? See how to extend a UAE visit visa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Long Should Health Insurance Be for Later Trips?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    ICP publishes 180 days as the rule for the application. For later trips, ICP’s guidance is that cover must run for the whole stay; ICP does not publish a fixed policy length for each later visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The safe approach is a policy that covers every day from arrival to departure. If you want certainty before buying, call ICP on 600 522 222 and ask about your exact trip plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which Trips Does a 180-Day Policy Cover? Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Your trips (policy starts 1 March, ends 27 August)<\/th>Covered by the first policy?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    30 days from 1 March, then 45 days from 1 June<\/td>Yes, both trips end before 27 August<\/td><\/tr>
    30 days each in March, July and November<\/td>March and July only; November needs new cover<\/td><\/tr>
    90 days from 1 July, extended by 60 days<\/td>Only until 27 August; extend the cover for the rest<\/td><\/tr>
    Any trip in year two<\/td>No, buy cover for the new trip dates<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Next trip falls after your policy end date? Get UAE health insurance for the new trip dates before you fly.<\/p>Get health insurance for my next trip<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Is My Next Trip Covered? 5-Year Visa Insurance Checker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Enter the end date on your policy certificate and your trip dates. The checker assumes the policy starts on or before arrival day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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