Domestic Worker & Maid Visa Health Insurance in the UAE: the 2-Year Rule
If you are sponsoring a maid, housemaid or other domestic worker, the health insurance rules changed in an important way: ICP now requires a minimum **two-year** health insurance policy for domestic worker visas, instead of the usual one-year cover. Applications that arrive with only a one-year policy get held up. This guide explains the rule, who it applies to, which plans qualify, and exactly how to get the worker covered.
What the 2-year rule means
For most residents, health insurance is a one-year policy renewed with the visa. For domestic workers, ICP now expects the policy to run for **two years** from the start, so the cover is continuous across the sponsorship period. In practice that means buying a dedicated two-year plan up front rather than a standard annual one — the two-year term is built into the product.
Who it applies to
The two-year requirement applies to visas sponsored under a domestic worker arrangement, which commonly includes:
- Housemaids and domestic helpers
- Nannies and babysitters
- Private cooks and household staff
- Family drivers and other workers sponsored on a domestic worker visa
If you are unsure whether a particular case counts as a domestic worker visa, send the details and we will confirm what cover is required.
Plans that meet the requirement
Our AFNIC PROTECT-U plans are built for this rule: a **two-year** policy from around **450 AED**, with annual medical cover up to **AED 25,000** and a choice of two networks — **Nextcare PCP/RN3** or **Aafiya APN**. Both satisfy the two-year requirement, so the choice comes down to which network's clinics and hospitals are easiest for the worker to reach. You can see these alongside the one-year options on our health insurance page for UAE residency.
Documents required
To issue the two-year policy we need:
- The worker's visa copy or Emirates ID copy
- The worker's passport copy
- The sponsor's Emirates ID copy or trade licence copy
How to get the policy
- Send the documents above on WhatsApp, with the emirate and whether it is a new visa or a renewal.
- We confirm the right PROTECT-U plan and network and the final price.
- Pay through a direct payment link — no extra charges from our side.
- The two-year policy is issued and ready for the visa file.
For wider context on why insurance gates every residence visa, see our UAE health insurance requirement guide.
Where it applies
These domestic worker plans cover residency processed in the Northern Emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain use separate insurance systems and are not covered here.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a one-year policy for a domestic worker visa, which no longer meets the requirement
- A name mismatch between the policy and the worker's passport
- Leaving insurance to the last moment and delaying the visa
- Choosing a network with no convenient clinics for where the worker lives
Conclusion
The rule is simple once you know it: domestic worker and maid visas need a two-year health insurance policy, available from around 450 AED on either the Nextcare or Aafiya network. Send the worker's documents and we will issue a compliant two-year plan the right way — see the plans on our health insurance page or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Related guides: Health Insurance Cost for a UAE Residency Visa · UAE Health Insurance Requirement for Visa · Renew UAE Residence Visa