Starting a medical clinic in Dubai is a lucrative business idea for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. Dubai’s healthcare market is worth over $4.6 billion, making it a good option for healthcare entrepreneurs and/or medical professionals looking to start their own business and move to the city.
DHA Approved Clinic License in Dubai: The Advantages
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the main regulatory body for getting a healthcare-related license in Dubai. Every clinic set up on the mainland is under its jurisdiction. Here are a few benefits of starting a clinic in the Emirate:
- Rise in medical tourism: Dubai attracts thousands of medical tourists every year. In 2023, it was reported that over 600,000 people visited the city for medical tourism.
- More focus on mental health: If you’re setting up a mental health clinic, the timing couldn’t be better. The UAE has recently increased its emphasis on improving the mental health of its residents, with more therapy and psychiatric service offerings becoming available.
- Business-friendly environment: There are no income taxes in the UAE. Foreigners can fully own their business in Dubai, and the existence of free zones and government incentives makes it a great city for business growth. Corporate tax is levied at 9% and is only collected only from businesses with turnovers exceeding AED 375,000.
- Growing population: With a constant inflow of expats and new residents, Dubai’s population is always growing. This increase, and the demand for streamlined healthcare services, creates multiple opportunities for new clinics to enter the market.
- Simpler business setup: It is much much easier to set up a business in the UAE than other countries. Getting a trade license in a free zone only takes a few days, while mainland licenses take a few weeks.
Types of Clinics You Can Open in Dubai
1. General Medical Clinic
You can hire GPs (General Practitioners) with this type of clinic who can offer healthcare services like:
- Routine check-ups
- Treatment for common illnesses
- Referrals to specialists
- Basic health advice
2. Dental Clinic
You’ll need to hire DHA-licensed dentists and have a facility plan that includes dental chairs, X-ray rooms, and sterilization areas. You can provide services like:
- Teeth cleaning
- Braces
- Fillings & root canals
- Cosmetic work
- Oral surgery
Get Your Dental Clinic Business License Today!
3. Dermatology or Cosmetic Clinic
If you have experience in skin care or cosmetic medicine, a dermatology or aesthetic clinic can be a good option. This type of clinic license in Dubai will require hiring specialized staff and having advanced medical equipment. Some services you can offer are:
- Botox and dermal fillers
- Laser hair removal and skin resurfacing
- Acne and pigmentation treatments
- Minor cosmetic procedures and skin tightening
Get Your Cosmetic Clinic Business License Today!
4. Physiotherapy Clinic
You’ll need licensed physiotherapists and safety-regulated, designated areas for treatment and exercise for this type of clinic. This business idea suits entrepreneurs interested in mobility and aiding recovery. Some service examples include:
- Injury rehabilitation
- Post-surgery physical therapy
- Chronic pain management
- Sports therapy and mobility training
5. Mental Health Clinic
As mental health awareness becomes more of a priority in the UAE, opening a mental health clinic can be a good business opportunity. Keep in mind that this type of clinic requires hiring properly licensed professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. Service options include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Psychiatric assessments
- Medication management
- Stress, anxiety, and depression support
6. Fertility or IVF Clinic
If you’re qualified in reproductive medicine, you can open a fertility clinic. This is a highly specialized field that demands a team of reproductive experts and strict compliance with DHA lab standards. Some typical services include:
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
- Hormonal fertility assessments
- Embryo freezing and preservation
7. Diagnostic or Radiology Center
With this type of medical clinic, you can support your own patients and handle referrals from other clinics or hospitals. Setting up this kind of center requires investment in DHA-approved equipment and hiring certified technicians and radiologists. You can offer services like:
- Blood tests
- X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Ultrasound imaging
- Health screenings and diagnostic evaluations
8. Ayurveda Clinic & Treatment Center
Steps to Open a Medical Clinic in Dubai
To open a medical facility or healthcare clinic in the Emirate, you need to understand all the steps involved in a clinic setup in Dubai. If you’re applying outside Dubai, you will need to get approval from MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention).
1. Choose the Correct Business Activity
There are multiple types of business activities you can choose from like:
- General clinic
- Psychiatry clinic
- Dental clinic
- Fertility center
- Nursing home
- Specialty clinic
- General hospital
- Addiction Treatment & Rehabilitation center
- Drug store
- Medical laboratory
- Telehealth platform or provider
- Traditional Complementary & Alternative Medicine (TCAM)
2. Finalize a Location
You can set up a clinic either in the mainland or in a free zone like the DHCC Free Zone, that specifically deals with businesses in the healthcare sector. Each zone has its own rules and regulatory body. If you set up a clinic in the mainland, you get direct access to the local market and can easily expand your operations.
Free Zone | Mainland |
100% ownership | 100% ownership |
Difficult to expand | Easy to expand |
Quicker licensing process | Longer licensing process |
Limited visa quotas | Unlimited visa quotas |
3. Pick a Legal Structure
The type of legal structure you choose will affect your license costs. Most clinics in Dubai choose to register as a Limited Liability Company because of the liability protection. Other options on the mainland include:
- Partnerships
- Sole establishments
- Branch companies
For free zones, you choose between:
- FZE (Free Zone Establishment)
- FZCO (Free Zone Company)
- Branch companies
4. Get Trade Name Approval
5. Apply for Initial Approval
You will also need initial approval (New Facility License) from the DHA to set up your medical facility. This is done through the Sheryan portal and takes about 10 days to get processed. You will need to submit the application along with a facility proposal and pay the fees.
Basically, the DET must approve your application for a trade license while the DHA must approve your application for a facility license. Once you get both approvals, you can apply for the licenses.
6. Apply for a Clinic License in Dubai
You will need to apply for a trade license in Dubai with the DET or the relevant free zone authority. You do not need a trade license to apply for a New Facility License from the DHA, but you will need one for the Activate Facility License. Free zone licenses generally have faster approval times than mainland licenses.
7. Apply for Activate Facility License
The DHA requires every clinic to apply for an Activate Facility License to begin their operations. You will need to submit your trade license, pay the fees, and make sure you have completed everything on the self-inspection checklist.
Once you’ve done this, you can set up a date and time for the DHA inspection. This license takes around 1 day to process, and the license fees can range from AED 5,000 to AED 20,000.
The Activate Facility License can be valid for one, two, or three years. You should renew your license within 90 days of its expiration date. To do this, you will have to schedule another inspection, and pay the fees again.
The penalty for failing to renew your license on time can go up to AED 8,000, depending on the type of clinic you intend to operate.
8. Pass the Inspection
The DHA inspectors will visit your clinic and assess the interiors and the equipment. If everything is up to code and according to the UAE’s safety regulations, they will issue your clinic an active facility license.
The inspection fees will range from AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 depending on the type of clinic.
9. Start the Visa Process
After your company registration process is completed, you can sponsor medical professionals under your clinic license. Doctors, nurses, and any other staff you hire will need a valid UAE residence visa and professional licenses approved by DHA to legally work in the Emirate.
Generally, free zone licenses have limited visa quotas, while mainland licenses allow you to hire as many employees as you need.
10. Open a Bank Account
Once your clinic license is issued and your business is fully set up, you can open a corporate bank account. Working with an expert in business setup in UAE can make the process easier. The consultants at A&A Associate have relationships with multiple banking institutions in Dubai and across the UAE, and have helped multiple clients open bank accounts for their companies.
Documents to get a Clinic License in Dubai
Here is a general list of documents you will need to start a clinic in Dubai:
- Personal identification documents (Passport copies of shareholders and partners, Emirates ID, visa, passport size photo)
- Certificate for trade name reservation
- DHA initial approval certificate (New Facility License)
- Tenancy contract and Ejari
- Security clearance for owner
- Facility completion certificate
- Clinic layout, photos of the facility, equipment list, internal rules & regulations, price list of services
- Professional licenses of doctors and nurses from the DHA
- CVs and educational certificates of medical professionals
The Cost of Clinic Setup in Dubai
These are some of the costs for starting a clinic in Dubai:
Initial approval from DHA (New Facility License) | AED 1,000 to AED 2,000 |
Activate Facility License | AED 5,000 to AED 40,000 |
Inspection fees | AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 |
Application fees | AED 100 |
Get a Clinic Business License in Dubai With A&A Associate
A&A Associate has helped dozens of entrepreneurs with business setup Dubai. From choosing the right business structure to handling every part of the clinic licensing process in Dubai, our consultants can seamlessly guide you through every step.
We also help clients who want to start a healthcare business in UAE outside of Dubai, handling license applications, initial approvals, visas, and opening a bank account. Book a free consultation today!
