Cross-Border Terminal Illness & Advance Care Checklist: United Arab Emirates & India

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative and Hospice Care and Cross-Border Medical Coverage Between the United Arab Emirates and India

   Begin by asking your family member's treating oncology or specialist team to establish a multidisciplinary palliative care and symptom-management plan, and clarify with the health insurer whether care will remain in the United Arab Emirates or involve medical relocation to India [1][2].

   • Palliative and home care in the United Arab Emirates: Under the federal Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter on the Official Portal of the UAE Government and emirate-level clinical standards issued by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (phone: +971 2 449 3333), the Dubai Health Authority (DHA, phone: 800 342), and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP, phone: 800 11111), patients with life-limiting illnesses are entitled to multidisciplinary pain management and palliative care across licensed tertiary hospitals (such as Tawam Hospital in Abu Dhabi or Dubai Hospital) and licensed home-healthcare providers [1][2]. Before initiating inpatient or home palliative care, have the hospital case manager submit a prior-authorization request to the mandatory health insurer (such as Thiqa or Daman in Abu Dhabi, or an ISAHD-compliant insurer in Dubai) to confirm coverage limits for home nursing and controlled pain medications [1][2].
   • Palliative care networks and care relocation to India: In India, public tertiary hospitals, Regional Cancer Centres, and district hospitals provide pain relief and supportive care under the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), while accredited inpatient hospices and home-care teams across Indian states can be located through the directory of the Indian Association of Palliative Care [3]. Clarvia provides directory information for orientation only and does not endorse, recommend, or rank specific providers. If your family member plans to travel to India for ongoing care, request a complete English medical summary, pathology reports, and a fit-to-fly certificate (MEDIF clearance for commercial airlines or air ambulance arrangements) from the UAE treating physician, and verify rules for carrying prescribed narcotic analgesics with both UAE authorities and Indian customs in advance [1][3].
2. 2

   Execute Written Advance Directives and End-of-Life Care Plans in Both Jurisdictions While Capacity Remains

   Advance care preferences and resuscitation rules differ substantially between the United Arab Emirates and India, so written care preferences should be documented separately for whichever country provides clinical care [1][2].

   • Care plans and resuscitation rules in the United Arab Emirates: Under the federal Patient Rights Charter on the Official Portal of the UAE Government, a patient with decision-making capacity has the right to be fully informed of their diagnosis and prognosis and to refuse or discontinue specific medical treatments after being informed of the medical consequences [1]. Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability (and its updated federal medical liability framework), Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders in cases of incurable terminal illness are strictly regulated clinical orders that must be evaluated and signed by at least three treating consultant/specialist physicians in accordance with Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, DHA, or MOHAP protocols, rather than relying solely on a foreign living will [1][2]. Ask the treating specialist team in the UAE to record your family member's goals of care and designated family spokesperson directly in the hospital electronic medical record (such as Malaffi in Abu Dhabi or Nabidh in Dubai) [1][2].
   • Advance Medical Directive (Living Will) in India: Under the Supreme Court of India's constitutional guidelines (Common Cause v. Union of India, 2018, as simplified by the Supreme Court in January 2023), an adult of sound mind and full capacity can execute a written Advance Medical Directive specifying the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment in a terminal or irreversible condition and naming a healthcare proxy/guardian [3]. Under the 2023 guidelines, the directive must be signed by the declarant in the presence of two independent attesting witnesses and attested before a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, with copies provided to the appointed guardian, the family physician, and the local municipal or district custodian for inclusion in health records [3].
3. 3

   Establish Separate Financial and Healthcare Powers of Attorney in the United Arab Emirates and India

   A Power of Attorney (POA) executed in one country is not automatically accepted by banks, land registries, or hospitals in the other without specific notarization, legalization, and local registration [4][5]. Arrange separate instruments while your family member can still appear in person or via video notarization [4][5]:

   • Notarized Power of Attorney in the United Arab Emirates: To manage UAE bank accounts, property, vehicles, residency visa matters, or medical representation, your family member must execute a notarized Power of Attorney (in Arabic or bilingual Arabic-English) before a UAE Notary Public, such as through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (phone: +971 2 651 2222) e-Notary portal or the Dubai Courts Notary Public [4]. UAE banks strictly scrutinize general POAs and frequently require explicit clauses authorizing banking transactions or their own internal mandate forms; remember that under UAE civil law, any Power of Attorney automatically expires upon the principal's death [4][6].
   • Power of Attorney and account nominations for India: If your family member is currently in the UAE and needs to appoint an attorney-in-fact for property, banking, or legal matters in India, they can sign a General or Special Power of Attorney before the Consulate General of India, Dubai (phone: +971 4 397 1222; emergency helpline: +971 50 734 7676; email: [email protected]) or the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi [5]. Once attested by the Indian mission and sent to India, the POA must be adjudicated and stamped before the local Collector of Stamps or Sub-Registrar of Assurances in the relevant Indian state within 3 months of receipt in India to be legally valid for property or banking transactions [5]. Simultaneously, ensure your family member registers or updates statutory nominations (Form DA-1 for bank accounts, demat account nominations, and mutual fund nominations) with all Indian financial institutions [5][9].
4. 4

   Claim Fast-Track Terminal Illness Benefits, Medical Advances, and Caregiver Leave

   Check employment contracts, mandatory health insurance policies, and statutory social security schemes in both countries before taking extended leave or paying major out-of-pocket medical bills [1][9]:

   • Sick leave, compassionate leave, and critical illness insurance in the United Arab Emirates: Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law), private-sector employees who have completed probation are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year (the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 days at half pay, and 45 days unpaid) upon submitting an approved medical report [1][6]. If a family member employed in the UAE is caring for the patient, they should check their employer's HR policy for flexible working arrangements or unpaid compassionate leave, as statutory paid bereavement leave in the UAE private sector (5 days for a spouse; 3 days for a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent) applies only after a death occurs [6]. Also review any employer-sponsored group life or critical illness insurance policy, which may pay a lump-sum terminal illness benefit upon diagnosis [1].
   • Medical advances and social security support in India: If your family member has an active or prior account with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (toll-free helpline: 1800 118 005; email: [email protected]), they can apply online via the Unified Member Portal for a non-refundable medical advance under Paragraph 68J of the EPF Scheme for hospitalization or treatment of a life-threatening illness (such as cancer or major organ failure) without requiring a minimum service period [9]. Workers covered under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC, toll-free: 1800 11 2526) may claim Extended Sickness Benefit (up to 2 years at 80% of wages for specified malignant and long-term diseases), while eligible families in India can verify inpatient coverage under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY or private health insurance policies [3][9].
5. 5

   Align Wills, Beneficiary Designations, Bank Access, and Repatriation or Funeral Wishes Across Both Countries

   Because UAE bank accounts (including joint accounts) are routinely frozen immediately upon the account holder's death until a UAE court succession order is issued, aligning wills and beneficiary records in advance prevents severe financial disruption [6][7][8]:

   • Non-Muslim wills, bank accounts, and workplace entitlements in the United Arab Emirates: Under UAE personal status legislation for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021), expatriates can register a formal Will covering UAE bank accounts, real estate, and guardianship so that UAE assets are distributed directly according to their stated wishes [6][7]. Depending on where assets are held, your family member can register a Will with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Civil Family Court, the Dubai Courts Notary Public, or the DIFC Courts Wills Service (phone: +971 4 427 3333; email: [email protected]) [4][6][7]. In addition, an employee in the UAE should confirm in writing with their employer (under MOHRE or the relevant free-zone authority) the designated beneficiary to receive unpaid wages and end-of-service gratuity (which the employer must disburse within 10 days in the event of an employee's death, alongside covering repatriation costs of mortal remains if requested) [6][8].
   • Provident fund, pension nominations, wills, and consular repatriation procedures for India: In India, verify that digital e-Nomination is completed with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation so eligible family members can seamlessly claim the EPF balance, the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) lump-sum assurance benefit, and the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) survivor pension via the online Composite Claim Form [9]. For separate assets in India (real estate, bank accounts, NRE/NRO deposits, and investments), executing a clean Indian Will witnessed by two witnesses (and optionally registered before the local Sub-Registrar in India) avoids lengthy interstate succession disputes or the need for a court Succession Certificate [5][9]. Finally, discuss and record your family member's wishes regarding local burial/cremation in the UAE versus repatriation to India, noting that the Consulate General of India, Dubai (or the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi) issues the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) and passport cancellation for transporting mortal remains or ashes to India [8].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Patients' Rights and Responsibilities in the UAE — Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
2. [2]
   Scope of Practice for Hospice and Palliative Medicine Physician — Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH)
3. [3]
   Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) - Palliative Care Centres and Resources — Indian Association of Palliative Care
4. [4]
   Notary Public and Power of Attorney eServices — Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)
5. [5]
   Attestation of Power of Attorney and Documents — Consulate General of India, Dubai
6. [6]
   Personal Status Affairs, Wills and Inheritance for Non-Muslims in the UAE — Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
7. [7]
   DIFC Courts Wills Service — DIFC Courts
8. [8]
   Death Registration and Repatriation of Mortal Remains Guidelines — Consulate General of India, Dubai
9. [9]
   EPFO Claim Forms (Composite Claim Form for Advances, PF, Pension and EDLI) — Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)