VoxxArrive · Emirate
Onboarding new hires in Sharjah: compliance checklist
Sharjah processes residency through the federal ICP and, as a northern emirate, was brought under mandatory employer health insurance only from 1 January 2025 via the new federal Basic Health Insurance scheme. Private-sector health coverage is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), with the Sharjah Health Authority handling national coverage.
What's different
- Residence visas are issued via the federal ICP; there is no separate emirate immigration authority as in Dubai.
- Employer health insurance became mandatory here only from 1 January 2025 under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme (a low-cost basic package, around AED 320/year), which is now a prerequisite for issuing or renewing a residence permit. Before 2025 there was no general private-sector mandate, so this is a recent onboarding change for Sharjah employers.
- Private-sector coverage falls under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) rather than DHA or DOH; the Sharjah Health Authority administers coverage for UAE nationals.
- Major Sharjah free zones for onboarding include SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone), Hamriyah Free Zone, SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) and Sharjah Publishing City - all following federal MOHRE labour rules.
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 Sharjah use ICP for residence visas?
Yes. Sharjah is on the federal ICP system for entry permits and residence visas; only Dubai uses a separate authority (GDRFA).
Is employer health insurance mandatory in Sharjah?
Yes, since 1 January 2025 under the federal Basic Health Insurance scheme. Employers must hold a policy (a basic package from around AED 320/year) before a residence permit is issued or renewed. This is a newer requirement than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Which regulator governs health insurance in Sharjah?
For private-sector expatriate employees, the federal Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) framework applies, not DHA or DOH. The Sharjah Health Authority handles coverage for UAE nationals.
Which free zones are based in Sharjah?
SAIF Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone, SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) and Sharjah Publishing City are the main ones; they follow federal MOHRE labour law for onboarding.