Individual sponsors who fail to provide health insurance for themselves, their employees and dependants by the June 30 deadline set by Dubai Health Authority will not face fines this year.

A grace period of six months has been offered by DHA as it plans to enforce the final stage of its mandatory health insurance scheme for all residents.

Health insurance is now linked to Dubai residency visas in an effort to have widespread coverage for the 3.8 million people living in the emirate.