DHA Healthcare Facility License Dubai: Requirements, Cost & Process 2026
Planning to open a clinic, medical centre, diagnostic facility or other healthcare business in Dubai? Obtaining the appropriate DHA healthcare facility license in Dubai is one of the key regulatory steps before starting healthcare operations.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) provides healthcare facility licensing services through its Sheryan system. The licensing journey generally involves obtaining a new facility license, completing the approved facility setup, adding appropriately licensed healthcare professionals, activating the facility license and passing the required inspection.
Whether you are planning a medical clinic, dental clinic, physiotherapy centre, TCAM centre, diagnostic centre, medical laboratory or another healthcare facility, understanding the DHA licensing process before signing leases and beginning fit-out can help reduce costly delays.
What Is a DHA Healthcare Facility License?
A DHA healthcare facility license is the regulatory authorization required for applicable healthcare facilities operating under DHA’s jurisdiction in Dubai.
DHA’s current New Facility License service allows investors and delegated representatives to apply for a new healthcare facility license. The license issued at this stage is inactive and must subsequently be activated before the healthcare facility starts operating.
The licensing process should not be confused with an individual healthcare professional’s DHA license.
Facility license: relates to the healthcare establishment itself.
Professional license: relates to an individual doctor, nurse, dentist, therapist or other healthcare professional.
This distinction is particularly important when searching for DHA licensing services in Dubai.
Which Healthcare Facilities Require DHA Licensing in Dubai?
DHA’s healthcare facility framework covers numerous types of healthcare establishments.
Depending on the proposed business model and approved activities, these can include facilities such as:
- General and specialty clinics
- Medical centres
- Dental clinics
- Day surgical centres
- Diagnostic centres
- Medical laboratories
- Radiology facilities
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation facilities
- Home healthcare facilities
- Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) centres
- Other approved healthcare establishments
The exact facility category should be determined according to the services you intend to provide.
How to Get a DHA Healthcare Facility License in Dubai
The healthcare facility licensing process involves several stages. Planning each stage correctly can help prevent unnecessary redesign, additional expenses and inspection delays.
Step 1: Determine Your Healthcare Facility Type
The first step is defining exactly what type of healthcare facility you want to establish.
For example, are you planning:
- A general clinic?
- A specialty clinic?
- A dental clinic?
- A physiotherapy centre?
- A diagnostic centre?
- A medical laboratory?
- A TCAM centre?
- A home healthcare facility?
Your facility type and proposed specialties influence the applicable facility requirements, layout, staffing and licensing process.
Avoid selecting premises or starting construction before clearly defining the proposed healthcare activities.
Step 2: Choose a Suitable Location in Dubai
Selecting the right premises is one of the most important decisions in a healthcare facility setup.
The property should be capable of accommodating the applicable healthcare facility requirements and proposed clinical services.
Before committing significant money to a lease and fit-out, consider:
- Total floor area
- Proposed number of consultation/treatment rooms
- Patient flow
- Reception and waiting areas
- Accessibility
- Staff and support areas
- Building suitability
- Parking and access
- Plumbing and electrical requirements
- Proposed medical equipment
A property that looks suitable for a normal commercial office may not necessarily be appropriate for your proposed healthcare facility.
Step 3: Prepare the Engineering Layout
An engineering layout is a key part of the DHA New Facility License application.
DHA currently requires an engineering layout from an engineering/design company. DHA describes this as a schematic design showing clear measurements in square metres for every room or area and labels corresponding to the proposed services.
The layout should therefore be planned around your actual healthcare activities rather than designing a generic commercial space and trying to adapt it later.
Step 4: Prepare the Facility Proposal
A facility proposal is also among the documents currently listed for the New Facility License application.
Your proposed facility concept should clearly establish the type of healthcare business, proposed activities and scope of services.
Ensuring consistency between the proposed activities, engineering layout and application can help make the approval process smoother.
Step 5: Apply for the DHA New Facility License
The next step is submitting the New Facility License application through DHA’s Sheryan system.
DHA currently lists the following basic application process:
- Access the DHA website.
- Log in using the appropriate digital identity/account.
- Select the New Healthcare Facility License service.
- Complete the application.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Receive an application reference number.
- DHA reviews the application.
- An inactive facility license is issued upon approval.
DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for the New Facility License service. This is the processing time for that particular licensing stage, not the complete timeframe required to build and open a healthcare facility.
Documents Required for DHA Healthcare Facility License
According to DHA’s current New Facility License information, required documentation includes:
- Valid passport copies of owners/partners
- Emirates ID where applicable
- Engineering layout from an engineering/design company
- Facility proposal
- Trade license, if already available
Additional documentation may be required depending on the proposed facility, activities and application circumstances.
Is a Trade License Required Before DHA Approval?
This is a common question among investors.
DHA currently states that obtaining a trade license before applying for the New Facility License is optional. However, a valid trade license becomes a prerequisite for activating the healthcare facility license.
This distinction can be useful when planning the order of your healthcare business setup.
Step 6: Complete the Healthcare Facility Fit-Out
After obtaining the necessary initial approvals, the healthcare facility needs to be developed according to its approved plans and applicable healthcare facility guidelines.
Depending on the facility, the fit-out can involve:
- Reception and waiting areas
- Consultation rooms
- Treatment rooms
- Procedure areas
- Clinical support spaces
- Staff facilities
- Storage
- Handwashing facilities
- Electrical and plumbing modifications
- HVAC
- Medical gases where applicable
- Accessibility provisions
- Fire and life-safety requirements
- Signage
- Medical equipment installation
DHA publishes Health Facility Guidelines establishing design requirements for healthcare facilities.
Making significant changes after the layout has been approved can create additional regulatory and construction complications, so careful planning at the design stage is important.
Step 7: Recruit DHA-Licensed Healthcare Professionals
The facility must have appropriately licensed healthcare professionals for its approved services.
Depending on the facility type, this may include:
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Allied healthcare professionals
- Laboratory professionals
- Radiology professionals
- TCAM practitioners
- Other required healthcare professionals
Professional licensing requirements vary according to profession, title and specialty.
Step 8: Appoint a Medical Director
A Medical Director is another important part of the healthcare facility activation process.
DHA’s current Activate Facility License service requires facilities to select a Medical Director and add and activate the required professional licenses before proceeding with activation.
The Medical Director must meet the applicable professional and facility requirements.
Step 9: Apply to Activate the DHA Facility License
Obtaining the initial DHA facility license does not mean the healthcare facility can immediately start treating patients.
DHA states that the new facility license must be activated before the healthcare facility starts operating.
Current prerequisites for activation include:
- Adding and activating the required professional licenses
- Selecting the Medical Director
- Holding a valid trade license
The applicable requirements depend on the facility and its approved activities.
Step 10: Pass the DHA Facility Inspection
Inspection is one of the final and most important stages of the DHA healthcare facility licensing process.
After the activation application, DHA coordinates an inspection.
If the healthcare facility meets the applicable requirements and passes inspection, an active facility license can be issued. If the facility fails, another inspection must be scheduled and the applicable fees paid again.
Before requesting inspection, ensure that the facility is ready in terms of:
- Approved layout
- Fit-out
- Required rooms
- Healthcare professionals
- Medical Director
- Equipment
- Safety requirements
- Documentation
- Operational readiness
Proper inspection preparation can help reduce avoidable delays and re-inspection expenses.
DHA Healthcare Facility License Cost in Dubai
The DHA healthcare facility license cost in Dubai depends on the facility category and licensing stage.
DHA publishes different facility licensing, activation and inspection fees depending on the healthcare facility type.
The complete cost of setting up a healthcare facility can include much more than the DHA license itself.
Typical project expenses include:
- DHA licensing fees
- Inspection fees
- Commercial licensing
- Engineering/design fees
- Clinic rent
- Security deposit
- Interior fit-out
- Medical equipment
- Furniture
- IT infrastructure
- Electronic Medical Record system
- Professional licensing
- Staff recruitment
- Medical Director
- Insurance
- Marketing
- Working capital
Therefore, investors should distinguish between the DHA facility license fee and the total healthcare facility setup cost in Dubai.
How Long Does DHA Healthcare Facility Licensing Take?
DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for the New Facility License service.
However, this does not mean a new clinic can be completely established in five days.
The overall project timeline can include:
Planning → Location Selection → Engineering Layout → Initial DHA Licensing → Commercial Licensing → Fit-Out → Professional Licensing → Medical Director → Activation → DHA Inspection → Active License
The complete setup period therefore depends heavily on the size and complexity of the healthcare facility.
Common DHA Facility Licensing Mistakes to Avoid
Several mistakes can increase the cost and timeline of a healthcare facility project.
Choosing the Wrong Facility Category
Your facility type should correspond with the healthcare services you intend to provide.
Leasing an Unsuitable Property
Do not select premises based solely on rent or location. Determine whether they can accommodate the applicable healthcare requirements.
Starting Fit-Out Too Early
Major construction should be coordinated with the approved healthcare facility design.
Poor Engineering Layout Planning
Incorrect room dimensions, workflow or functional areas can result in redesign and additional construction costs.
Confusing Professional and Facility Licensing
An individual doctor’s DHA eligibility or professional license does not replace the healthcare facility’s licensing requirements.
Applying for Inspection Before the Facility Is Ready
Failed inspections can create delays and additional costs. DHA’s current process requires another inspection and applicable payment when a facility fails inspection.
DHA Facility License vs DHA Professional License
Understanding this difference can save significant time.
DHA Healthcare Facility License
This applies to the healthcare establishment, such as a clinic, medical centre, laboratory or other healthcare facility.
DHA Professional License
This applies to an individual healthcare professional, such as a doctor, dentist, nurse or therapist.
If you are an investor planning to open a clinic in Dubai, your project will generally involve facility licensing as well as licensing/activation of the healthcare professionals working within the facility.
Why Use a DHA Healthcare Facility Setup Consultant?
Setting up a healthcare facility involves regulatory, commercial, engineering and operational requirements that need to work together.
Professional assistance can help coordinate:
- Healthcare facility activity selection
- DHA New Facility License
- Commercial licensing
- Engineering layout
- Facility design coordination
- Clinic fit-out coordination
- Professional licensing
- Medical Director requirements
- Documentation
- Facility activation
- DHA inspection preparation
For investors unfamiliar with the Dubai healthcare licensing process, having the project coordinated from the planning stage can help reduce avoidable errors.
Start Your DHA Healthcare Facility in Dubai
Opening a healthcare facility in Dubai requires careful planning from the initial business concept through final facility activation.
Whether you are setting up a medical clinic, dental clinic, physiotherapy centre, diagnostic centre, medical laboratory, TCAM centre or another healthcare facility, the correct licensing structure should be established before significant investment is made in premises and fit-out.
Planning to open a healthcare facility in Dubai?
Get professional assistance with your DHA healthcare facility license, clinic setup, engineering coordination, professional licensing, Medical Director requirements and inspection preparation.
Contact us today for a DHA healthcare facility setup consultation in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions About DHA Healthcare Facility License Dubai
1. How do I get a DHA healthcare facility license in Dubai?
The process generally involves determining the appropriate healthcare facility category, preparing the engineering layout and facility proposal, applying for a New Facility License, completing the facility setup, adding appropriately licensed professionals, selecting a Medical Director, applying for facility activation and passing the required DHA inspection.
2. How much does a DHA healthcare facility license cost?
DHA facility licensing and inspection fees vary according to healthcare facility category and licensing stage. The total business setup cost also includes premises, commercial licensing, engineering, fit-out, staffing, equipment and other operational expenses.
3. How long does it take to get a DHA facility license?
DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for the New Facility License service. The complete healthcare facility setup takes longer because design, construction, staffing, activation and inspection are separate stages.
4. Do I need a trade license before applying for DHA facility approval?
DHA currently states that obtaining a trade license before applying for the New Facility License is optional. However, a valid trade license is required when activating the facility license.
5. Is DHA inspection mandatory for a new healthcare facility?
Inspection forms part of the facility activation process. DHA coordinates an inspection, and an active facility license can be issued after the facility passes the applicable requirements.
6. Can I operate a clinic with an inactive DHA facility license?
No. DHA states that the new facility license must be activated before the healthcare facility starts operating.
7. Does a DHA healthcare facility need a Medical Director?
DHA’s current facility activation prerequisites include selecting a Medical Director and adding and activating the required professional licenses.
8. What documents are required for a DHA New Facility License?
DHA currently lists valid passport copies of owners/partners, Emirates ID where applicable, an engineering layout and a facility proposal. A trade license can also be submitted if already available. Additional documentation may apply according to the project.
9. Is a DHA facility license the same as a doctor’s DHA license?
No. A healthcare facility license applies to the establishment, while professional licensing applies to individual healthcare professionals.
10. Can a foreign investor apply for a DHA healthcare facility license?
DHA’s New Facility License service is available to investors and delegated representatives. The proposed business must also meet the applicable commercial and ownership requirements.
11. What happens if a clinic fails the DHA inspection?
DHA states that if a facility fails inspection, another inspection must be scheduled and the applicable inspection fee paid again.
12. Can I add more specialties after opening my clinic?
Healthcare facilities can have processes for changing or adding facility services/specialties, subject to the applicable DHA requirements and approvals. The proposed changes should be approved before providing the additional healthcare services.