A Complete Guide to Starting a Medical Clinic in Dubai, UAE

Establishing a medical clinic in Dubai comes across as one of the most attractive business ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs who have adequate expertise in the healthcare domain. The overall healthcare ecosystem in Dubai is thriving with state-of-the-art medical facilities, which is also a significant factor in commencing your medical business. If you are a doctor or a business person who wants to open a clinic, there are some important legal, financial, and operational regulations that you are required to take into consideration for compliance. You must choose the right location, get the correct licenses, and follow the health rules set by the government. In this comprehensive guide, let’s explore how to open your medical business in the vibrant ecosystem of Dubai, step by step, along with its benefits, so you can understand how to start your own clinic in Dubai without any confusion or stress.

Why Start a Medical Clinic in Dubai?

Dubai serves as a prominent destination to start a medical clinic in UAE. It offers both local individuals and foreign investors from all over the world a chance to make the most of the flourishing healthcare sector. Apart from this, it also has strong medical facilities and a stable economy, which assures aspiring business owners that their investment is safe and secure. Here are some of the key reasons to choose Dubai as your go-to destination for medical business:

• You can fully own your medical clinic in Dubai, even if you are not from the UAE. Such 100% foreign ownership encourages business owners to start a business here. 
• You don’t have to pay income tax or company taxes. This means all of your profits are your own without any deductions. 
• You don’t have to pay customs duties (extra charges on goods). This is extremely beneficial for businesses involved in trade. 
• Dubai has many ready-to-use real estate solutions and clinical spaces.
• You can work in collaboration with professionals from the same healthcare field.

Documents Required to Start a Medical Clinic in UAE

Documentation plays a key role when it comes to starting a medical clinic. One should surely give attention to documentation when looking to set up a medical clinic in UAE. If you do not submit the right paperwork, you might not be able to get your clinic license in Dubai. Here are some of the key documents that you need to gather: 

• 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 the owner
• CVs and educational certificates of medical professionals
• Facility completion certificate
• Clinic layout, photos of the facility, equipment list, internal rules & regulations, and price list of services
• Professional licenses of doctors and nurses from the DHA

Reliable business setup consultants in Dubai can adequately help you with the documentation. Their expert team can provide you with the right guidance and submit papers to jurisdictions on your behalf. Moreover, they can also communicate with governmental authorities on your side. 

Steps to Open a Medical Clinic in Dubai

Opening a medical clinic in Dubai requires following a comprehensive process. Each step of this business setup in Dubai needs to be followed precisely so that no mistakes are made. Otherwise, it could lead to hefty delays or even penalties. Let’s have a closer look at some of the essential steps involved: 

1. Choose a Name for Your Clinic

Even if you are choosing a mainland or free zone company setup in UAE, the first step in the medical clinic setup process involves choosing a name for your business. Make sure that the name you choose is unique and is not taken by anyone. After picking the name, register with the Department of Economic Development, or DED.

2. Get Initial Permission

After choosing a name for a medical clinic in UAE, you must ask the DED for permission to open your business. This is called initial approval. You’ll also need to get your clinic plan approved by the Dubai Municipality. This ensures that you comply with the regulations and that your company is operating under the regulatory environment. 

3. Apply for the Facility License

To open your clinic, you need permission from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). This is called the Activate Facility License. You must send your trade license, pay the fees for your business license in Dubai, and complete a checklist to show your clinic is ready. Once you’re done with the first steps, you can book a date and time for DHA to check your clinic. The license usually takes 1 day to be approved. The fee is between AED 5,000 and AED 20,000.

5. Pass the Inspection

DHA inspectors will visit your clinic. They will check the rooms and the medical equipment to make sure everything is safe and correct. If everything is good, they will give you the active facility license. The inspection cost is between AED 2,000 and AED 3,000, based on your clinic type.

4. Submit Additional Documents 

Once you have DHA’s permission, you will need to provide a few more papers. These include your lease agreement (which shows you have rented a place for your clinic), your business agreement (also called the Memorandum of Association or MOA), and any other documents that may be required by the authorities.

5. Final Approval

Finally, submit all the documents again along with your final trade license, a No Objection Certificate (NOC), a list of all doctors and medical staff working in your clinic, and the details of your clinic’s location. After this, you will be ready to get your license and open your medical clinic in Dubai. 

6. Get Your Clinic License

The last step involves making an account on the DHA website and uploading all your papers about your doctors and staff. Once everything is checked and approved, you’ll get your clinic license in Dubai to open your clinic.

Cost of Starting a Medical Clinic in Dubai

The cost of clinic setup in Dubai is estimated by considering a range of factors. These include business location, types of clinic, size of the clinic, staff ratio, type of business license in Dubai, and more. Here is an approximate cost:

• 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

Conclusion 

Starting a medical clinic in Dubai is one of the most beneficial business opportunities that one can opt for. With adequate healthcare expertise and the right guidance, you can scale your medical business in the fast-growing community of Dubai. However, seeking professional help from reliable business setup consultants in Dubai can be extremely beneficial. 
Start Any Business (India Branch) has assisted a range of entrepreneurs from all across the world to set up their business in the dynamic city of Dubai. From choosing the right business structure to managing every element of your licensing process, our professionals can simplify your comprehensive business setup. This ensures ease and peace of mind knowing that your business is in safe hands. For your medical clinic setup in Dubai, we will help you with everything, including license applications, initial approvals, visas, and opening a bank account. Get in touch with us now.

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