Can You Change the Location of a DHA-Licensed Clinic in Dubai? DHA Process 2026

Yes, a DHA-licensed clinic can change its location in Dubai, but the clinic cannot simply relocate to new premises and continue operating under its existing facility details.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) provides a dedicated Change Facility Location service for active healthcare facilities. The proposed new location must go through DHA review, engineering-plan approval and a field inspection before final approval is granted.

For clinic owners planning to relocate, understanding the DHA requirements before signing a lease or beginning fit-out can help avoid delays, redesign costs and interruptions to operations.

Can a DHA-Licensed Clinic Relocate to Another Location?

Yes.

DHA’s Change Facility Location service specifically allows an active healthcare facility to request relocation to a different site.

The main prerequisite is that the healthcare facility must have a valid active facility licence when applying for the location change.

The new premises are also subject to DHA approval and inspection.

DHA Requirements for Changing a Clinic Location

The relocation process generally requires:

Valid active DHA healthcare facility licence
New facility floor plan/layout
Updated trade licence
DHA initial approval
Compliance of the new premises with applicable healthcare facility requirements
Field inspection of the new premises
Final DHA approval
Updated electronic healthcare facility licence

DHA may also request additional documentation depending on the facility and proposed changes.

Step-by-Step Process to Change a DHA Clinic Location

Step 1: Select the New Clinic Location

Identify premises suitable for your healthcare facility category and approved specialties.

A common mistake is signing a long-term lease before checking whether the new premises can satisfy healthcare facility design requirements.

The new location should therefore be assessed from both a commercial and healthcare regulatory perspective before significant investment is made.

Step 2: Prepare the New Clinic Floor Plan

A compliant engineering layout must be prepared for the proposed premises.

The layout should reflect the clinic’s approved healthcare services and applicable DHA Health Facility Guidelines.

Depending on the clinic type, this could include areas such as:

Reception
Waiting area
Consultation rooms
Treatment rooms
Procedure rooms where applicable
Clinical storage
Staff facilities
Accessible facilities
Utility areas
Infection-control provisions

The exact requirements depend on the healthcare facility category and services.

Step 3: Submit the Change Facility Location Application

The facility representative submits the relocation request through DHA Sheryan.

Select the Change Facility Location service under healthcare facility licensing services and submit the required information and documents.

Step 4: Obtain DHA Initial Approval

DHA reviews the relocation application and proposed engineering plans.

Initial approval should be obtained before proceeding on the assumption that the new clinic can operate from the proposed premises.

DHA’s Health Facility Guidelines state that when an existing licensed healthcare facility relocates to a different building or location, the approval process is similar to that for a new healthcare facility.

Step 5: Update the Trade License

The commercial licence must also reflect the new facility location as required.

DHA currently lists an updated trade licence among the required documents for the Change Facility Location service.

Healthcare facility licensing and commercial licensing should therefore be coordinated during the relocation process.

Step 6: Complete the Clinic Fit-Out

Once the applicable approvals are established, complete the healthcare fit-out according to the approved layout.

Avoid making unauthorized changes to the approved design during construction. Significant layout changes may require further review or amendment.

Step 7: Request DHA Inspection

The new premises must undergo a field inspection before final approval.

Before requesting inspection, verify that the clinic has been completed according to the approved layout and applicable facility requirements.

Any non-compliance identified during inspection may need to be corrected before approval.

Step 8: Receive the Updated DHA Facility License

After successful completion of the required approval and inspection process, DHA issues the electronic facility licence reflecting the approved location.

Only operate from the new premises in accordance with the final approved facility licence and its permitted services.

Can You Change Specialties While Relocating the Clinic?

Potentially, yes.

DHA’s current licensing manual states that a facility may apply to add or remove specialties along with a Change Facility Location application. A detailed proposal plan may be requested when doing so.

This can be useful if the relocation is also part of a clinic expansion or restructuring.

For example, a clinic might relocate to larger premises while planning to introduce additional approved specialties.

However, adding specialties can create additional requirements relating to:

Facility layout
Treatment rooms
Equipment
Healthcare professionals
Professional licensing
Clinical policies
Inspection requirements

Plan these changes before finalizing the new facility design.

Can You Change the Clinic Layout During Relocation?

The new premises require an engineering layout as part of the location-change process.

If you are modifying an existing licensed facility without moving to a different location, DHA separately provides an Amend Facility License service that covers changes such as facility layout, location expansion, specialties and certain other amendments.

Does DHA Inspect the New Clinic Location?

Yes.

DHA states that an on-site/field inspection is conducted before final approval of the new facility location.

This is one of the most important differences between simply changing a commercial address and relocating a licensed healthcare facility.

A healthcare clinic should therefore not assume that updating its trade licence address alone completes the relocation.

How Long Does DHA Clinic Location Change Take?

DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for its Change Facility Location service.

However, this should not be interpreted as the complete clinic relocation timeline.

The overall project can take longer because it may involve:

Property selection
Engineering design
DHA initial approval
Commercial licence updates
Fit-out
Equipment relocation
Facility preparation
Inspection
Corrections
Final approval

The complexity and size of the healthcare facility can significantly affect the total relocation timeline.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a DHA Clinic Location?

The total cost depends on the facility type, new premises and extent of the relocation.

Potential expenses can include:

DHA location-change fees
Inspection fees
Re-inspection fees if applicable
Engineering/design fees
Trade licence amendments
New property rent and deposits
Healthcare fit-out
Equipment relocation
Signage
IT and medical-record infrastructure
Other authority approvals where applicable

Because the facility type and circumstances affect the applicable charges, confirm the current fees in Sheryan before budgeting for the relocation.

Can You Move the Clinic Without DHA Approval?

A licensed healthcare facility should not simply begin providing healthcare services from an unapproved new address.

The facility licence contains approved facility information, and DHA has a formal process specifically for changing the facility location.

The correct approach is to complete the applicable relocation approval, inspection and licence-update process before operating from the new premises.

Active vs Inactive Clinic Location Changes

The facility’s licensing status matters.

DHA’s dedicated Change Facility Location service requires a valid active facility licence.

DHA’s FAQ also confirms that modifications can be made to an inactive facility application, including changing the facility location, subject to the applicable amendment process and fees.

Therefore, the correct procedure depends on whether your clinic is:

Already operational with an active licence, or
Still under setup with an inactive facility licence.

Common Mistakes When Relocating a DHA Clinic

One of the biggest mistakes is choosing new premises based solely on rent, visibility or accessibility without first considering healthcare facility requirements.

Need Help Changing Your DHA Clinic Location?

Relocating an operational healthcare facility requires careful coordination between DHA facility licensing, engineering design, trade licensing, fit-out and inspection.

Professional healthcare facility setup support can assist with:

New location suitability assessment
DHA Change Facility Location application
Engineering layout coordination
Trade licence amendment coordination
Specialty amendments
DHA documentation
Inspection preparation
Final facility licence update

Planning to relocate your clinic in Dubai? Speak with a healthcare facility licensing specialist before committing to your new premises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the location of my DHA-licensed clinic?

Yes. DHA provides a Change Facility Location service for healthcare facilities with a valid active facility licence.

Does DHA need to approve the new clinic location?

Yes. The process requires DHA review and initial approval, followed by a field inspection before final approval.

Do I need a new floor plan?

Yes. DHA lists the floor plan/layout among the required documents for changing a healthcare facility’s location.

Do I need to update my trade license?

Yes. An updated trade licence is listed among DHA’s required documents for the Change Facility Location service.

Will DHA inspect the new clinic?

Yes. DHA states that a field inspection of the new site is conducted before final approval.

Can I add a new specialty when moving my clinic?

DHA’s healthcare facility licensing manual states that a facility may apply to add or remove specialties together with the Change Facility Location service. Additional documentation and facility requirements may apply.

How long does the DHA location change process take?

DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for the service. The complete physical relocation can take longer because design, fit-out, commercial licensing and inspection must also be considered.

Can I move my clinic first and update DHA later?

A healthcare facility should complete the applicable DHA relocation approval and licensing process before operating from the new premises.