On 27 October 2026, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai issued a joint advisory. They said they had seen several cases of Indian nationals facing medical bills in the UAE that they could not pay because their insurance was inadequate.
The missions asked two groups to act:
- Visitors and tourists: buy adequate medical insurance before travelling, with cashless treatment and the cost of medical repatriation to India.
- Residents on employment or dependant visas: check that your policy covers all medical expenses in the UAE and medical repatriation to India.
Why medical repatriation cover matters
Most visitors buy a policy because the visa needs one, and few read past the first page. Many basic UAE visit visa insurance policies cover emergency treatment in the UAE but limit or leave out the cost of getting the patient home. If a parent has a stroke or a cardiac event during a visit, the family can face two bills: the hospital stay, and a medical flight back to India with a doctor or nurse on board.
Six things to check before your parent flies to Dubai
- Is "medical repatriation" or "medical evacuation" written in the policy? Look for the exact words in the benefits table, not only the brochure.
- What is the limit? Check the amount for repatriation itself, which can be lower than the main medical limit.
- Is treatment cashless at UAE hospitals? Ask which hospitals the insurer works with directly.
- Are pre-existing conditions covered? Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure are common exclusions. If your parent has one, ask the insurer in writing.
- Does it pay for a medical escort? A doctor or nurse on the flight, and a seat for a family member, may be separate benefits.
- Does it cover the whole UAE for the whole stay? A policy that names only one emirate, or ends before the return date, can cause problems with a claim.
For the general picture, read how travel insurance covers, or doesn't cover, air medical evacuation.
If someone falls ill without enough cover
Call the insurer first and ask for a case number. Ask the hospital for the discharge summary and a fit-to-fly assessment. Then get a quote for both options:
- Airline stretcher with a medical escort: suitable for many stable patients, and usually far less expensive than a private jet. See how a commercial stretcher transfer works.
- Dedicated ICU air ambulance: for patients on a ventilator, unstable patients, or when the timing can't wait for an airline seat.
The treating doctor and our medical team decide together which option is safe. Price comes second.
How Qwiklif helps
Qwiklif Air Ambulance arranges bed-to-bed air ambulance transfers from the UAE to India, including Kochi, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai. We work with insurers on covered cases. When a family has no cover, we explain the costs and options plainly before anything is booked. Read how to claim insurance for medical repatriation.
Our 24/7 desk answers on +971 50 282 5433 or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is the advisory a new law?
No. It is guidance from India's missions. Visa insurance rules are set by UAE authorities, so check the current requirement with your visa provider.
Does my Indian health policy work in the UAE?
Usually not, unless it states international or overseas cover. Ask your insurer.
Can my parent fly home on a normal flight after treatment?
Many can, sometimes on a stretcher or with an escort. The treating doctor and the airline decide fitness to fly.
Who pays if the insurer refuses?
The family does. That's why it's worth checking the policy wording before the trip.