Before booking a vacation, many UAE residents spend days comparing flight prices, searching for good hotel deals, and planning itineraries. However, when choosing travel insurance, the decision is often made in mere minutes, and people frequently opt for the cheapest option without checking what the policy actually covers.
}))Travel experts warn that this approach can turn into one of the most expensive mistakes if problems arise abroad. Pawan Pujari from Luxury Travels noted that the main issue is not buying the wrong insurance, but purchasing the cheapest one without carefully studying its terms.
He emphasized that while residents spend hours comparing flight costs, they dedicate only a few minutes to insurance, even though it is the insurance that protects them in unforeseen situations. Pujari advises starting the selection process with a simple question: where exactly are you going?
According to the expert, the risks faced by a tourist spending a week in Europe differ from those of someone visiting the United States. Furthermore, a trip to Thailand, filled with diving or trekking, may require coverage that is absent in standard policies.
For many traveling to Europe, insurance is merely an additional document required to obtain a Schengen visa. Although Schengen countries require visitors to have medical coverage of at least 30,000 euros (125,271 dirhams), tourism agents recommend not limiting themselves to this minimum. They advise choosing policies that also include trip cancellation, baggage loss, emergency evacuation, and personal liability coverage.
Pujari added that although many aim only to get the visa, in case of hospitalization or trip disruption, they will be grateful to themselves for looking beyond the minimum requirements.
Recommendations change when traveling to places like the United States and Canada, where medical treatment can be significantly more costly. Anas Mistarehi, CEO of eSanad Insurance Brokers, insists on thoroughly examining the level of medical coverage, not just the premium amount.
He recommends having at least $100,000 USD for emergency medical care, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation. For destinations such as the USA and Canada, limits in the range of $250,000 to $500,000 USD should be considered, as healthcare costs there can be extremely high.
Experts advise tourists heading to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam not to focus solely on cheap flights and beach holidays. Activities such as diving, trekking, jet skiing, and island adventures are often the highlight of these vacations, but they may not be covered by standard travel insurance.
Subair Tekepurathavallapil from Wisefox Tourism notes that people mistakenly believe they are insured against everything during their vacation. In reality, many adventure sports are excluded unless the tourist specifically selects this option before the trip begins.
Experts also cautioned that insufficient attention is paid to other details. People with chronic illnesses should not assume automatic coverage under all policies. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure may require additional insurance coverage. Moreover, compensation for lost luggage is usually limited to certain amounts, not the full value of the suitcase contents.
Mistarehi also advised tailoring the policy type to the travel style. UAE insurance companies offer various options: plans for single trips, multiple annual policies for frequent travelers, family plans, student insurance for studying abroad, and business travel insurance. Depending on the chosen destination and plan, medical coverage in the UAE typically ranges from $50,000 to $500,000 USD.
Instead of comparing policies only by price, Pujari recommends spending a few extra minutes checking six key areas: medical coverage limit, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, adventure sports coverage (if required), and access to 24-hour international emergency assistance.
He concludes that for most travelers leaving the UAE, spending an extra 40–100 dirhams on a higher-quality policy can be the deciding factor between full coverage for a medical emergency and having to pay thousands of dirhams out of pocket. Experts believe that given the expected large number of tourists during the summer season, the small amount of time spent comparing insurance can save travelers from huge expenses in case of a sudden problem.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its openness to individuals looking to improve their lives through the simplicity of obtaining visas, as well as its broad opportunities in career and lifestyle. One of the most attractive permits for tourists is the five-year multiple-entry visa.
This document allows travelers to enter the country for up to 90 days within five years, eliminating the need to apply for a new visa with each visit. The visa permits a stay of three months per entry, which can be extended by another 90 days within one year. This permit is available to citizens of all nationalities, reflecting the diversity of the UAE.
The visa was initially approved by the UAE Cabinet in 2021 during a meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The goal of this step was to position the UAE as an ideal destination for tourism and work. At the same time, the cabinet approved a remote work visa allowing employees from around the world to live and work in the UAE for a year.
In addition to these permits, there are other initiatives aimed at attracting people to develop in the country and strengthen its infrastructure. Recently, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of the 'A Dubai Invite' program, which runs from July 20 to October 31, 2026. Under this program, residents can receive various rewards, such as hotel stays, restaurant offers, and city attractions visits, if they successfully nominate friends or family members and confirm their visit.
To apply for the five-year multiple-entry visa, several basic requirements must be met to avoid legal consequences or refusal. The applicant's passport or other travel documents must be valid for at least six months and allow entry into the country, as well as return to the country of permanent residence or the issuing country. An airline ticket for continuing the trip or exiting the UAE is also required.
Furthermore, the applicant must have valid medical insurance in the UAE. Documentary proof of a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in other currencies must be provided six months prior to submitting the application. The applicant must not stay in the country continuously for more than 90 days; this period can be extended for a similar duration, provided the total number of days spent in the year does not exceed 180. A color passport-sized photograph is required. Family visas can be applied for children under 18. Depending on nationality, additional documents may be required, such as an Iraqi population pass, Iranian Censusnamah, or Pakistani or Afghan ID for beneficiaries.
Visa applications can be submitted through several channels: digital platforms such as the ICP and GDRFA websites, as well as physical customer service centers, printing centers, and GDRFA centers. Through any of these channels, processing the visa takes up to 48 hours.
Through digital channels, the applicant should log into the smart services system using UAE Pass or a login, find the application form for the five-year document, fill in the necessary details, and pay the service fee. If applying at customer service centers, GDRFA, or printing centers, one must visit the nearest such center, take an automatic ticket, wait in line, then submit the application with all information and documents, and complete the process by paying the fee.
The application fee amount may vary slightly depending on the submission location. When applying via the ICP website, clients must pay a fee of 3775 dirhams. If the application is submitted via the GDRFA website, the amount is 3713.5 dirhams. Additional fees include: application fee—100 dirhams, issuance fee—500 dirhams, guarantee deposit—3000 dirhams, guarantee service fee—21 dirhams, collection and return of guarantee fee—20 dirhams, plus 10 dirhams for Know Your Dirham and 10 dirhams for Innovative Dirham, and a total service fee of 52.5 dirhams.
To avoid fines or future refusals, it is important to follow specific rules after receiving the visa. The visa holder must enter the UAE within 60 days of the issue date. It is important to remember that the annual limit of 90 days is calculated from the date of the first entry into the UAE, not from the beginning of the calendar year or the visa issue date. Since this is a multiple-entry visa, re-entries are permitted as long as the stay does not exceed 90 days. The length of stay can be increased by an equal period if the total time in the year does not exceed 180 days. If the stay does not reach 90 days, the remaining days are not carried over to the next year. Violating the established length of stay invalidates the visa, and refunds are not issued. To track used time, the visa holder or their representative can request a travel report documenting entry and exit.
The application will be automatically rejected if the required data is not completed within 30 days of the return date, or if the application is returned three times due to missing information or incomplete documents. Usually, the reason for refusal is indicated if conditions are not met, but the authority reserves the right not to disclose the reason for refusal.
Unlike most cases where registration fees are non-refundable, the five-year multiple-entry visa provides for a refund in case of cancellation, expiration, or refusal. In case of refusal, the applicant receives a refund of the issuance fee, medical insurance fees, and paid financial deposits. Refunds for paid fees are made to the credit card used for payment within 180 days from the main application date. If the refund conditions are met, the applicant can request a refund by check or bank transfer to banks located in the UAE. If the main application date exceeds 180 days, the refund will only be made by check or bank transfer to UAE banks, and this process may begin within five years from the date the right to refund arises. It should be noted that financial deposits are collected directly in case of violation of rules regarding entry and stay in the country.
