VoxxArrive · Emirate
Onboarding new hires in Ajman: compliance checklist
Ajman processes residency through the federal ICP and, like the other northern emirates, only came under mandatory employer health insurance on 1 January 2025 through the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme regulated under MOHAP. Ajman is also known for the UAE's lowest-cost free zone setup, which shapes where smaller employers onboard staff.
What's different
- Residence visas are issued via the federal ICP; there is no separate Ajman immigration authority.
- Employer health insurance became mandatory only from 1 January 2025 under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme (basic package from around AED 320/year), and is now required before a residence permit is issued or renewed. Private-sector coverage falls under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
- Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) and Ajman Media City Free Zone are the emirate's main free zones and are among the lowest-cost setup options in the UAE; they follow federal MOHRE labour rules for onboarding.
Which onboarding steps this affects
This affects 17 of the 57 onboarding tasks, concentrated in the Pre-boarding, Day 1, Week 1, Month 1, Month 3+ phases. Work through them in the live demo to see the compliance-readiness score respond as each is ticked off.
Your task slice
17 of the 57 onboarding tasks apply here.
Verify MOHRE establishment card is active and labour quota is available for the role
Establishment card / labour quota confirmation
Apply for the MOHRE work permit (labour card) via Tasheel/MOHRE portal
Work permit approval
Apply for entry permit (e-visa) or initiate in-country status change
Entry permit (60-day validity)
Collect and attest pre-boarding documents (passport, photos, degree/qualification attestation)
Attested document pack
Purchase mandatory health insurance policy (prerequisite for residency since 1 Jan 2025)
Health insurance policy certificate
Collect original passport and entry permit for residence visa processing
Issue health insurance card and policy details to the employee
Health insurance card
Book and complete medical fitness test at an approved centre (communicable-disease screening)
Medical fitness certificate
Complete ICP Emirates ID biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan, photo)
Emirates ID application receipt
Submit residence visa application to GDRFA/ICP after medical and EID biometrics
Complete residence visa stamping / e-visa linking to the passport
Residence visa
Confirm health insurance activation is linked to the residency file
Collect the issued Emirates ID card once produced by ICP
Emirates ID card
Verify residence visa and Emirates ID are fully issued (post-entry chain within 60 days)
Review health insurance coverage adequacy and dependant options
File original Emirates ID and residence visa copies in the personnel record
Confirm health insurance validity aligns with residency expiry
Some figures on this page vary by jurisdiction, zone or nationality, or could not be independently confirmed from a public source at time of writing - confirm the current figure with the regulator before relying on it.
Sources
Frequently asked
Does Ajman use ICP or GDRFA?
Ajman uses the federal ICP for entry permits and residence visas. GDRFA applies only to Dubai.
When did employer health insurance become mandatory in Ajman?
From 1 January 2025, under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme. Employers must hold a compliant policy (basic package from around AED 320/year) before issuing or renewing a residence permit.
Which regulator governs health insurance in Ajman?
The federal Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) framework, not DHA (Dubai) or DOH (Abu Dhabi).
What are the main free zones in Ajman?
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) and Ajman Media City Free Zone. They are widely regarded as among the most affordable in the UAE and follow federal MOHRE labour law.