How to Get UAE Health Authority Approval for a Medical Clinic Guide 2026
Opening a medical clinic in UAE requires approval from the relevant health authority (DHA in Dubai, DOH in Abu Dhabi, MOH in Northern Emirates) in addition to a trade licence. The process involves facility approval, practitioner licensing, and ongoing inspection compliance. This guide covers UAE health authority clinic approval for 2026.
In this guide:
UAE Health Authority by Emirate
- Dubai: Dubai Health Authority (DHA); regulates all healthcare facilities and practitioners in Dubai (except in DHCC, which has DHCCA oversight and DHA clinical oversight)
- Abu Dhabi: Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH); regulates all healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi Emirate including Al Ain
- Northern Emirates: Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP); regulates healthcare in Sharjah, RAK, Fujairah, Ajman, UAQ; some NE emirates have their own authorities collaborating with MOHAP
Dubai Clinic Approval Process (DHA)
Step 1 — Company and Trade Licence
- Dubai DED trade licence with “Medical Clinic” or specific specialty (e.g., “Dental Clinic”, “Dermatology Clinic”) as primary activity
- For specialist clinics in DHCC: DHCCA registration instead of DED; then also DHA clinical licence
Step 2 — DHA Facility Approval (Before Fitting Out)
- Submit floor plan (must show consultation rooms, reception, waiting area, sterilisation room, toilets meeting DHA standards) to DHA before fitting out
- DHA reviews and approves the plan; get written approval before starting fit-out; DHA does not approve facilities that don’t meet their space and design requirements
Step 3 — Fit Out and Equipment
- Complete clinic fit-out according to approved DHA plan; install required medical equipment; ensure emergency equipment (AED defibrillator, oxygen, emergency kit) is present
- Sterilisation: dental and surgical clinics need autoclave sterilisation equipment; DHA inspects sterilisation protocols
Step 4 — Practitioner Licensing (DHA)
- Each physician, dentist, nurse, or allied health professional must have a DHA Good Standing Certificate (GSC) and DHA practitioner licence before they can treat patients
- DHA licence application: submit via Dubai Medical Register (haad.to.dubai equivalently on DHA portal); provide medical degree, post-graduate certificates, current employer letter, 5-year work history, criminal clearance certificate
- Primary source verification: DHA verifies degrees directly with issuing institutions; takes 2-4 months; start this process early
Step 5 — DHA Facility Inspection
- DHA inspects the facility; checks equipment, emergency readiness, records management, infection control, and safety compliance
- Pass: receive DHA Facility Licence; ongoing annual inspections required
Costs
- DHA facility licence: AED 5,000-20,000/year depending on clinic type and size
- DHA practitioner licence: AED 1,000-3,000/year per practitioner
- Fit-out cost: AED 100,000-1,000,000+ depending on clinic size, specialty, and fit-out quality