The Passport Department has announced that mandatory medical insurance for the dependents of expatriates living in the Kingdom would start on Jan. 21, with no residence permits issued or renewed for those failing to comply.

In a statement on Tuesday, the department said the decision is based on Article 3 of the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) regulations, which would be enforced on Rabi Al-Thani 1.

Col. Khaled Al-Sikhan, director of information technology at the Passports Department, said the health insurance documents of expatriate dependents would be digitized at the Interior Ministry. He said the ministry’s systems have been linked to that of the CCHI. He confirmed that all passport offices throughout the country would be linked to the system.

The insurance cover, which must be taken out from accredited medical insurance providers, has to cover the entire period the dependent stays in the Kingdom, he said.

He urged expatriates to ensure that they get the cover so that there is no delay in them getting their resident permits.

The CCHI announced in December that health insurance would soon be mandatory for all foreigners coming to the Kingdom on visit visas.

Those applying for visas to enter the Kingdom for a visit, an extension or in transit, and their dependents should present valid insurance certificates for medical cover inside the Kingdom. The new measure would not include Haj and Umrah pilgrims, holders of diplomatic and special passports, state guests and those coming for treatment.

An estimated 1 million visitors to the Kingdom, especially relatives of expatriate workers, will be affected.

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