Changes in Residence Visa Medical Test in U.A.E

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) held a press conference to explain the amendments approved by the Council of Ministers regarding the system of residency screening medical fitness.

A senior official from the Ministry explained that the health card requirement for a medical examination for expats has been cancelled.

“In line with our national efforts to develop a system of legislation that will protect the community from diseases and as part of the initiative to update the Medical Fitness Examinations…, the health card requirement for a medical examination for expatriates has been canceled,” said Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Rand, Assistant Undersecretary, MOHAP, who presided over the press conference with Dr. Nada Marzouki, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine.

“After getting the fitness certificate, a person should apply to get either a health card or a health insurance,” said Dr. Rand, adding that “a screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C will be conducted for workers in health facilities in order to preserve their health due to their constant interaction with patients.”
Dr. Rand, pointed out that this decision, which has been implemented across preventive medicine centers since February, is in line with recent developments being pursued within the medical field in an effort to update legislation, control the spread of communicable diseases and facilitate residential procedures.

In 2015, 460,904 persons were screened for fitness in the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Dr. Rand emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to protect the community in light of the increasing number of expats arriving to the UAE as a result of the economic boom, which has led to updating the preventive procedures and regulations to preserve community health

NRIs in UAE get insurence plan for Parents in India

Oman Insurance Company in partnership with Star Health Insurance (India) has launched a health insurance plan – Parents Health – for non-resident Indians (NRIs) living in the UAE and their parents in India. The comprehensive plan offers cost effective health cover for NRIs’ parents and parents-in-law back in their home country. Additionally, it offers a Personal Accident cover for the applicant.
While people live and work in the UAE, the good health of their parents back home always concerns them. Keeping this in mind, the product is designed to cover expenses arising from unforeseen illness and provide benefits like in-patient hospitalization, health check-up, hospital cash benefit, day care treatments and dental and ophthalmic cover to the applicant’s parents in India. It also provides one way air ticket to the applicant in case any of the parent needs to be admitted in the hospital for major illness like stroke, cancer or liver disease and gives the option to continue the policy in case the applicant relocates to India. The plan has 5 different coverage bands extending from Bronze to Diamond depending on the sum insured limits. To ensure great service, the product provides cashless service at over 7,400 network hospitals in India and offers reimbursement of claims at non-network hospitals.

Celine Messerschmitt, Senior Vice President Strategic Partnerships at Oman Insurance, said “We are excited to release this innovative products with Star Health as this is one of its kind product in the region. With affordable premium options, the product will surely benefit NRIs by reducing the burden of worrying about the health and wellbeing of their parents back home.”

Anand Roy, Senior Vice President at Star Health, commented “With the wide network of hospitals and a comprehensive insurance solution, members can be guaranteed exceptional care and service. With a simple application process, and no requirement for medical tests, the plan is a unique proposition for Indians working in the UAE.”

The policy will be issued by Oman Insurance Company. It will be offered in association with Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. (India), acting as the reinsurer and international administrator, ensuring faster and hassle-free claim settlements in India.

UAE confirms 5% VAT from January 1, 2018

The UAE has announced the official date January 1, 2018  implementing a 5 per cent VAT rate. “The percentage will be 5 per cent,” Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, told reporters on Wednesday after a joint press conference with Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Dubai.

“As per the GCC Supreme Council resolution, VAT [in the UAE] will be implemented as of January 1, 2018,” he said.Al Tayer noted that the framework agreement on the implementation of VAT across the GCC is expected to be signed off in June, 2016.“Other countries can implement [at the same time] or take a later date of implementation, of January 1, 2019,” Al Tayer said.Which means that while the UAE is keen on 2018 implementation, it is possible that some other GCC peers implement it at a later date (no longer than a year later, though).

The UAE had, earlier this year, confirmed a VAT rate of between 3 and 5 per cent across the GCC, with Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary at the MoF, revealing that the GCC countries have agreed to unify their tax policies before the introduction of the VAT.

At that time, Al Khoori reckoned that the UAE stands to earn estimated VAT revenues of between Dh10 billion and Dh12 billion in the first year of its application.

He had reiterated that this amount is after exempting sectors such as healthcare and education in addition to several food items of the new tax. Al Tayer, meanwhile, noted that the Ministry is currently in early stages of studying the potential economic and social impacts of implementing corporate tax.

The UAE Finance Ministry also confirmed that it is not considering implementing a personal income tax on individuals, according to Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm.

Al Tayer said that the UAE hasn’t undertaken any study on personal income tax so far and said that no such proposal was under consideration.

He added that the current priority of the Ministry was putting in place the infrastructure required for the implementation of VAT.

The IMF’s Lagarde had, earlier this week, reiterated the Fund’s taxation advice to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which included implementing VAT as a first step towards generating higher and more reliable revenue streams.
Why VAT?
The IMF is only one among other international bodies that have been advising the UAE and the rest of the GCC countries to introduce taxation among several options for the government to strengthen their revenue base in order to minimise dependence on the fluctuating global oil price.

Al Tayer has now revealed that agreements having been reached by members of the GCC on certain aspects of the VAT systems and the remaining question now is when everyone across the GCC will implement it.

“Governments in the region are facing deficit budgets over the short- to medium-term due to the low oil price environment. Policymakers will be prompted to introduce the VAT regime sooner rather than later,” Finbarr Sexton – Mena Indirect Tax Leader at EY, told this website earlier.
of implementing a 5 per cent VAT rate.

“The percentage will be 5 per cent,” Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, told reporters on Wednesday after a joint press conference with Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Dubai.

“As per the GCC Supreme Council resolution, VAT [in the UAE] will be implemented as of January 1, 2018,” he said.

Is January 1, 2018, final for all GCC countries?

Al Tayer noted that the framework agreement on the implementation of VAT across the GCC is expected to be signed off in June, 2016.

“Other countries can implement [at the same time] or take a later date of implementation, of January 1, 2019,” Al Tayer said.

Which means that while the UAE is keen on 2018 implementation, it is possible that some other GCC peers implement it at a later date (no longer than a year later, though).

The UAE had, earlier this year, confirmed a VAT rate of between 3 and 5 per cent across the GCC, with Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary at the MoF, revealing that the GCC countries have agreed to unify their tax policies before the introduction of the VAT. At that time, Al Khoori reckoned that the UAE stands to earn estimated VAT revenues of between Dh10 billion and Dh12 billion in the first year of its application.

He had reiterated that this amount is after exempting sectors such as healthcare and education in addition to several food items of the new tax.Al Tayer, meanwhile, noted that the Ministry is currently in early stages of studying the potential economic and social impacts of implementing corporate tax.

Al Tayer said that the UAE hasn’t undertaken any study on personal income tax so far and said that no such proposal was under consideration. He added that the current priority of the Ministry was putting in place the infrastructure required for the implementation of VAT.

The IMF’s Lagarde had, earlier this week, reiterated the Fund’s taxation advice to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which included implementing VAT as a first step towards generating higher and more reliable revenue streams.

Major Shift in Residence Visa Renewal in U.A.E , All residents to be tested for TB

 

New Cabinet resolution on infectious and communicable diseases suggests a major shift in the renewal of residence visas of those found having old tuberculosis (TB) scars or drug-resistant TB

 

While the law is unchanged for those seeking new residence visas — applications of those testing positive for HIV, Hepatitis A, B and C or TB are immediately rejected — the new resolution seeks to provide screening and mandatory vaccinations for Hepatitis B and C to a large pool of workers in special categories.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued the Cabinet resolution No 5 of 2016 amending several provisions on the medical examination system for arrivals to the UAE for work or residence, Arabic newspaper Al Bayan reported on Thursday.

The resolution states that all residents will have to undergo TB screening while renewing their residence visas. Those found with scars or active TB or found having drug-resistant TB will be issued with a conditional fitness certificate where they will get one year visa.

They will then have to undergo treatment within the UAE that will include follow ups at preventive health centres. Residents failing to comply with the treatment protocol for TB will be considered unfit.
Experts welcome move

Welcoming the new resolution, the health care fraternity yesterday said the decision not only gives old TB patients a chance to renew their visa subject to certain conditions, but also assures a better outcome in the management of Hepatitis B and C by aiming to vaccinate special categories of workers who are most susceptible to contracting this disease.
Hepatitis vaccination

The viral hepatitis vaccination for Hepatitis B and C has been already implemented for hospital staff, food handlers and  sanitation workers.

The health community is happy that a larger group of people in special categories such as domestic labourers and nannies have been included.

“By insisting on vaccinating even those who test negative for Hepatitis B and C the prevalence of these infections will fall drastically and this will work wonders for collective community and public health.

“There are many regions in the world where Hepatitis B and C are rampant and people coming from these regions with exposure to the virus will be get stronger immunity as they are likely to go on domestic visits,” said another private doctor on condition of anonymity.

Cost of treatment

However, it is not clear who will cover the cost of treatment for TB, which is quite prohibitive. One-year uninterrupted treatment amounts to Dh48,000 annually, a doctor said.

“Insurance companies do not cover minor infectious diseases such as chicken pox, so there is no question they will cover treatment of tuberculosis.

“Any one from the Indian sub-continent testing positive for TB can expect a far more reasonable treatment back home. However, with the law stipulating three visits to preventive health centres and registering for treatment here will mean the individual will have to shell out at least Dh4000 per month for treatment which is going to be very prohibitive for most,” a doctor said.

The new resolution amends cabinet resolution No 7 of 2008.

•      HIV/Aids: Residence visa will not be granted or renewed in case the result is positive.
•     Viral hepatitis: Tests restricted to those coming to work in the UAE for the first time. Nannies, housekeepers, domestic workers and supervisors at nurseries and kindergartens will be tested for Hepatitis B during visa renewal too.
•     Those working in salons, beauty centres, health clubs and sanitation workers will be subjected to tests for viral Hepatitis B and C.
•     Visas will not be granted or renewed for positive cases unless they change the purpose of request for residence visa.
•     All negative cases of new visa applicants from the categories above will be vaccinated for the disease in three doses and given a certificate to prove they have received the vaccine.
•     Negative cases need to produce certificate of vaccination when renewing their residence visa.
•     Tuberculosis: Examination is limited to lung tuberculosis.
•     New applicants with old pulmonary or active TB are deemed unfit and not granted residence visa.
•     Residents renewing their residence visa found having old or active pulmonary TB will be deemed medically fit, but will be subjected to a follow-up by the department of preventive medicine or equivalent government health bodies. In such cases, a health fitness certificate stating ‘Subject to treatment’  will be issued. This will give a one-year residence visa to the applicant for the purpose of treatment. In the event of non-compliance, or if the person misses three consecutive visits, he will be considered unfit

    In cases of TB with treatment-resistant bacteria, the infected person will be subjected to treatment inside the country to be cured and then, if deemed fit, will have residency renewed.

Post on social media without consent, get jail in U.A.E

People posting pictures of others on social media networks without their permission could be jailed for six months and fined up to Dh500,000 under the UAE's IT law.

Many social media users are not aware of such a law, says a senior Dubai Police officer.

"Some people do not know that if they photograph a person and post the picture on social networks or other electronic devices, it becomes a punishable crime according to the UAE law,” Major General Mohammed Al Shareef, Assistant Police Commander for Administration said, after launching a social media awareness campaign.

"This crime involves a jail term of six months and a fine of Dh150,000-500,000. We need the public to know that this is a big crime in the UAE because some people do it for fun without knowing they will be prosecuted.”

Another officer warned parents against allowing children to have their own social media account as they could be victims of blackmail and other threats.

“They should control their children because letting them have their own social network account could make them easy prey to blackmail and other crime,” said Mohammed Abdullah, Director, Decision Support Centre, Dubai Police.

He said many countries enforce certain protocols, curbing the use of social media by children till a specific age in order to protect them from possible threats.