Term Insurance for NRI in UAE: Plans, Eligibility, Premium & How to Buy

Living and working in the UAE comes with significant earning potential, but it also carries unique financial responsibilities. Term insurance for NRI in India allows UAE-based NRIs to protect their families, repay outstanding liabilities, and secure long-term financial needs even while living abroad.read more

Written ByAashima MongiaContent Writer (Expertise: Term Life Insurance & Investment)

Reviewed ByAtul KathuriaBusiness Head – Term & Investment | Policybazaar.ae

Last updated on 11 September 2026Editorial Standards

Can NRIs Buy Term Insurance in India?

Yes, NRIs living in the UAE can buy term insurance in India, subject to the insurer’s eligibility, documentation and underwriting requirements. Many insurers allow NRIs to apply online from abroad, submit documents digitally, and complete medical tests in the UAE if required.

This makes term insurance for Indians in UAE convenient for those with family, loans, property, or other financial commitments in India.

The policy is generally issued in Indian rupees, which can suit NRIs whose major financial responsibilities are linked to India.

Term Insurance for NRI in India vs UAE Term Insurance

Factor	Indian Term Insurance	UAE Term Insurance
Currency	Usually INR	Usually AED/USD or other available currency
Main purpose	Often suitable for family/financial commitments in India	Often suitable for UAE or international financial needs
Premium	Based on Indian insurer’s underwriting	Based on UAE insurer’s underwriting
Application	Can often be completed from UAE	Usually completed in UAE
Medicals	May be completed in UAE if supported	Usually through UAE-approved providers
Payout	Subject to policy and applicable rules	Subject to policy and applicable rules

For many UAE-based NRIs, the choice is not necessarily India or UAE. If you have substantial financial responsibilities in both countries, check whether separate or complementary protection makes more sense.

Buy Best Life Insurance Plan in UAE

Some of the best Term Insurance quotes in UAE & Dubai are:

Policy Term

Age

Cover

Payment Frequency

YearlyMonthly

98.1% Claim Settlement Ratio

Term Life Protect

Life Cover (AED)1,000,000

Policy Term (Years)10

Passive War Cover
Pre Existing Disease Coverage
Medical Checkup Not Required
Worldwide Coverage

95% Claim Settlement Ratio

Term Life

Life Cover (AED)1,000,000

Policy Term (Years)10

Worldwide Coverage
Life Cover
Entry Age

98% Claim Settlement Ratio

International Term Assurance

Life Cover (AED)1,000,000

Policy Term (Years)10

Passive War Cover
Pre Existing Disease Coverage: Subject to Approval*
Medical Checkup Not Required
Worldwide Coverage
Critical Illness Cover

98% Claim Settlement Ratio

Live Life Now

Life Cover (AED)1,000,000

Policy Term (Years)10

Worldwide Coverage

98% Claim Settlement Ratio

Critical Illness Protection

Life Cover (AED)1,000,000

Policy Term (Years)10

Worldwide Coverage
Cancer Cover

Why Do NRIs Need a Term Insurance Plan from India?

For a UAE-based NRI, financial responsibilities often continue in India even after moving abroad. You may have dependent parents, children, home loans, investments, or other liabilities to manage.

Buying term insurance for NRI in India can offer financial protection to your family if you pass away during the policy term.

Key reasons to consider it include:

Up to 50% Lower Premiums: Indian term plans are significantly more affordable than international term insurance policies. They offer substantial life cover at a fraction of the cost.
0% GST Exemption: Under FEMA guidelines, NRIs paying premiums via NRE accounts or foreign inward remittances in convertible foreign currency can avail a 18% GST refund/exemption.
Protection Against Currency Fluctuation: The sum assured in INR protects your family against currency fluctuations. It also ensures that your liabilities in India, as well as personal expenses, are paid without hassle.
Worldwide Risk Cover: Your policy protects you anywhere in the world — whether you reside in the UAE, relocate to another country, or move back to India permanently. Just note that geographical scope may vary as per the insurer.

What are the Key Features of Term Insurance for NRIs in India?

Feature	What it means for UAE-based NRIs
Large life cover	Choose cover based on your income, debts, and family’s future needs
Long policy terms	Select a term that protects your family through your key earning years
Online purchase	Apply and submit documents from the UAE with eligible insurers
UAE medicals	Medical tests may be completed locally if required by the insurer
Flexible payments	Premiums may be paid through eligible NRE/NRO accounts or other accepted payment methods
Worldwide protection	Coverage may continue while you live or travel abroad, subject to policy terms
Optional riders	Add benefits such as critical illness, accidental death, or disability protection, where available

Exact features, payment methods, coverage limits, and rider availability differ between insurers.

What are the Medical Tests Required for Term Insurance for NRIs in India?

If you apply for NRI term insurance in India, the insurer may require medical underwriting based on your age, health, lifestyle, and requested sum assured. In most cases, a Tele-Medical / Video Medical Examination Report (VMER) replaces physical doctor visits.

Depending on your age, lifestyle, and requested sum assured, standard health indicators evaluated include:

Basic checks: Height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure
Blood tests: Blood sugar/HbA1c, lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests, and CBC
Urine test: Routine health screening
Heart assessment: ECG, where required
Other tests: Additional investigations based on your age, health, or coverage amount

Some insurers may allow medical examinations at approved facilities in the UAE.

Always be honest about your health, medication, smoking, and medical history. Incomplete or incorrect information can create issues during claim assessment.

Top NRI Term Insurance Plans in India

When comparing NRI term insurance plans in India, look beyond the lowest premium. Check the insurer’s eligibility for UAE residents, policy term, coverage, exclusions, riders, medical requirements, and claim process.

Some well-known Indian life insurers offering NRI term insurance options include:

Insurance Company	Term Insurance Plan
HDFC Life	Click 2 Protect Supreme Plus
ICICI Prudential Life	iProtect Smart Plus
Axis Max Life	Smart Term Plan Plus
Tata AIA Life	Maha Raksha Supreme Select
Bajaj Life	eTouch II

IRDAI maintains the list of registered life insurers in India, while individual insurers determine their own product eligibility and underwriting requirements.

What are the Documents Required to Buy Term Insurance for NRI in India?

Applying for NRI term insurance plans in India takes only a few minutes. You will need digital copies of:

Passport: Valid passport copy (front and back pages)
UAE Residency Proof: Valid UAE Residence Visa copy and Emirates ID / last entry-exit stamps
Income Verification: Last 6 months’ bank statements and last 3 months’ salary slips (or FATCA or CRS declaration, where required)
Identity & Address: Proof of foreign address in the UAE or Indian address proof
Identification: Passport-sized photograph
Others: PAN or applicable tax declaration and medical reports, if requested

How Can NRIs Pay Term Insurance Premiums From the UAE?

Depending on the insurer, you may be able to pay your Indian term insurance premium through:

NRE account
NRO account
International debit or credit card
Permitted online remittance/payment methods

We suggest you check the insurer's accepted payment methods and applicable FEMA/banking requirements before purchasing.

If you earn in AED and pay an INR premium, exchange-rate movements can affect the amount you actually spend in AED.

Why Consider Buying Life Insurance in the UAE Instead of India?

For NRIs living and earning in the UAE, buying a life insurance policy locally can offer practical advantages.

Benefit	Buying Life Insurance in the UAE	Buying in India
Currency	Cover and premiums can be structured in AED, matching your UAE income and expenses	Usually structured in INR
Family’s Financial Needs	Useful if your family or financial commitments are in the UAE	Better suited to liabilities and goals in India
Premium Payments	Pay directly from your UAE bank account in AED	May require payment through eligible NRE/NRO or other permitted channels
Claim Convenience	Can make the policy easier to manage locally while living in the UAE	Claim process may involve coordination with India-based insurers
Local Financial Planning	Can complement UAE-based savings, investments and liabilities	Primarily supports India-based financial planning
UAE Residency	Designed around the needs of residents and expats in the UAE	NRI eligibility and underwriting requirements may apply
Global Mobility	Some UAE policies may offer benefits suited to internationally mobile residents, subject to policy terms	Coverage depends on the individual insurer and policy conditions

The key takeaway: If you earn in AED, have major financial commitments in the UAE, or expect your family to depend on your UAE income, a UAE life insurance policy can be worth considering alongside or instead of an Indian term plan.

How to Buy Term Insurance for NRIs in India?

To buy term insurance for NRI in India from the UAE, you generally need to complete a few steps:

1. Calculate your required cover

Work out your family’s future expenses, liabilities, and income-replacement needs.

2. Compare term plans

Compare premiums, cover, policy term, exclusions, riders, the claims process, and insurer reputation.

3. Complete the online application

Provide your personal, employment, financial, and medical details.

4. Submit NRI documents

Submit your passport, residence documents, proof of income, and other relevant KYC documents.

5. Complete medical underwriting, if applicable

If required, you will be asked to get your medical tests done in UAE as per the guidelines of the insurers.

6. Pay the premium

Make the payment through one of the specified modes of the insurance company.

7. Get your policy issued

After you complete the above steps and the insurance company verifies your documents, it will issue the policy and related documents.

How Does the Overseas Claim Settlement Process Work?

If the policyholder dies while living in the UAE, the nominee can raise a claim with the Indian insurer according to the policy’s claim procedure. The process can be handled entirely online or via digital document submission:

The process generally involves:

Digital Claim Filing: Raise the claim online directly on the insurer’s portal.
Submit documents: Submit the policy document, nominee’s ID/address proof, medical records, and the embassy-attested death certificate (if death occurs outside India).
Additional verification: The insurer may request police, post-mortem, or other documents depending on the circumstances.
Direct Payout: Payouts are transferred in INR directly into the nominee’s designated Indian bank account (NRE/NRO or Resident Savings Account).

Can the Nominee Live Outside India?

Yes, a nominee can reside outside India, subject to the insurer’s policy and applicable payment rules.

If your spouse or children also live in the UAE or another country, check the insurer’s claim and payout process before buying. Do not assume that every insurer uses the same overseas payout procedure.

What Should UAE-Based NRIs Check Before Buying?

Before choosing an NRI term insurance plan, check:

Eligibility: Does the insurer accept applicants residing in the UAE?
Coverage: Is the sum assured enough for your family’s needs?
Policy term: Does the cover last through your main earning years?
Medical requirements: Can the tests be completed conveniently in the UAE?
Exclusions: Are there restrictions related to occupation, travel, residence, or specific activities?
Claim process: What documents will your nominee need if you die in the UAE?

Also compare the insurer’s claim record, financial strength, policy wording, and customer service rather than choosing a plan only because it has the lowest premium.

Tax Benefits for NRI Term Insurance

Tax treatment for term insurance for NRIs in India depends on your Indian tax status, income, policy structure, and the tax rules applicable to you.

The Income Tax Department currently lists life insurance premiums under Section 80C, subject to the applicable conditions and limits. The combined deduction limit under Section 80C is ₹1.5 lakh for eligible taxpayers. However, an NRI should not assume that buying a policy automatically creates a tax benefit.

If you are a UAE-based NRI with taxable income in India, check your eligibility with a qualified tax professional before relying on any deduction or exemption.

FAQs for Term Insurance for NRIs in India

Yes, UAE-based NRIs can buy term insurance from eligible Indian insurers. However, you’ll need to meet the insurer’s eligibility, documentation, and underwriting requirements.

You may not need to visit India. Many insurers allow NRIs to apply from the UAE and complete the required documentation and medical tests abroad. This, however, depends on the policy and insurer.

Yes, you can usually pay your Indian term insurance premium while living in the UAE. Depending on the insurer, you may pay through NRE/NRO accounts or other accepted online payment methods.

Yes, your family can claim the policy if you die in the UAE, as long as the claim meets the policy terms. The nominee will need to submit the required documents, which may include the foreign death certificate and other supporting records.

Yes, NRIs can apply for ₹1 crore term insurance from eligible Indian insurers. The amount of cover you qualify for will depend on factors such as your income, age, health, and financial profile.

Not always. Whether you need medical tests depends on your age, health, lifestyle, sum assured, and the insurer’s underwriting requirements. Some applicants may be able to complete the tests in the UAE.

Yes. You can go for a standard plan (where the insurer may apply a premium “loading” to cover the health risk). If available, you may also choose a guaranteed acceptance policy where health status is not evaluated.

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