Hospitals & Specialty Clinics
Full-service hospitals and specialist clinics across clinical disciplines.
Clinical
Dubai Healthcare City Free Zone
Get full support for setting up your healthcare, medical, or wellness company in Dubai Healthcare City. We guide you through licensing, document prep, and approvals for a smooth start.
Excellent
License and activity selection
Document submission assistance
Lease agreement support
Registration and license processing
Visa and bank account setup
Excellent
About DHCC
Healthcare and Wellness Hub in Dubai
Dubai Healthcare City is a government-owned free zone regulated by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), established in 2002 to position the zone as a global medical services and wellness destination.
Phase 1 (Oud Metha) spans 4.1 million square feet dedicated to clinical services, hospitals, medical labs, diagnostics, and healthcare education. Phase 2 (Al Jadaf) spans 19 million square feet dedicated to wellness, rehabilitation, fitness, spas, and complementary therapies.
DHCC hosts 160+ licensed healthcare companies staffed by specialists from over 90 countries, including Moorfields Eye Hospital and Johnson & Johnson. The free zone offers flexible licensing, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and strategic access to MEASA markets.
Why DHCC
Why Choose Dubai Healthcare City
Dubai Healthcare City suits healthcare entrepreneurs, medical professionals, wellness providers, and education institutions seeking a comprehensive ecosystem.
100% Foreign Ownership
Own your company outright with limited liability and no local partner requirement.
50-Year Tax Exemption
A 50-year, 100% exemption on corporate and personal income tax on all earnings.
Zero Customs Duties
No customs duties on medical equipment and pharmaceutical imports.
160+ Healthcare Facilities
Join an established ecosystem of hospitals, clinics, labs, and specialists.
Streamlined DHA Licensing
Coordinated Dubai Health Authority licensing for clinical activities.
Clinical & Wellness Phases
Dedicated Phase 1 (clinical) and Phase 2 (wellness) for the right facility fit.
Access to MEASA Markets
A strategic base to serve Middle East, Africa, and South Asia healthcare markets.
Sectors
Sectors at Dubai Healthcare City
DHCC supports a full range of clinical, wellness, education, and healthcare trade activities.
Medical Labs & Diagnostics
Diagnostic laboratories, pathology, and imaging centres.
Diagnostics
Pharma & Biotech
Pharmaceutical companies, biotech research, and life sciences.
Pharma
Healthcare Education
Medical schools, training institutes, and healthcare education programs.
Education
Wellness & Rehabilitation
Wellness centres, rehabilitation, fitness, and complementary therapies.
Wellness
Medical Equipment Trading
Import, export, and distribution of medical devices and supplies.
Trade
License Types
Licenses in DHCC
DHCC offers licenses tailored to healthcare, wellness, education, and medical trade activities.
Trading License
For medical equipment, pharmaceutical trading, and healthcare supplies import-export.
- Medical equipment
- Pharmaceutical trading
- Healthcare supplies
Service License
For healthcare consultancy, wellness, clinics, labs, education, and telemedicine services.
- Healthcare consultancy
- Clinics & labs
- Education & telemedicine
Healthcare Facility License
Enables hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and rehabilitation centers.
- Hospitals & clinics
- Labs & pharmacies
- Rehabilitation centres
Branch License
Allows existing UAE or foreign companies to operate branches in DHCC under parent authorization.
- UAE or foreign parent
- Branch operations
- Parent authorization
Trading License
For medical equipment, pharmaceutical trading, and healthcare supplies import-export.
- Medical equipment
- Pharmaceutical trading
- Healthcare supplies
Service License
For healthcare consultancy, wellness, clinics, labs, education, and telemedicine services.
- Healthcare consultancy
- Clinics & labs
- Education & telemedicine
Healthcare Facility License
Enables hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and rehabilitation centers.
- Hospitals & clinics
- Labs & pharmacies
- Rehabilitation centres
Branch License
Allows existing UAE or foreign companies to operate branches in DHCC under parent authorization.
- UAE or foreign parent
- Branch operations
- Parent authorization
Legal Forms
Legal Forms in Dubai Healthcare City
Dubai Healthcare City offers flexible structures for new ventures and existing groups.
Free Zone Company (FZCO)
- Single free zone company type for individuals and corporates
- Allows 1 to 50 shareholders (individual or non-individual)
- Limited liability protection
- 100% foreign ownership
Branch of a Company
- Registered branch of a UAE or foreign parent company
- Operates from the free zone
- No new share capital required
- Remains legally part of the parent company
Requirements
Required Documents for DHCC Setup
Submitting complete and accurate documents helps ensure smooth processing within DHCC. Requirements vary based on shareholder type and activity.
Shareholder Documents
- Individual: passport copy, visa/entry stamp, Emirates ID (if resident), address/utility bill, CV for key roles
- Corporate: trade license / certificate of incorporation
- Corporate: Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Corporate: board resolution approving the DHCC entity
- Corporate: passport of authorised signatory and UBOs
Common Documents
- Completed application form via Masar portal
- Business plan or activity summary
- Proposed trade name list
- Signed office or facility lease in DHCC
- Manager appointment letter
- UBO declaration (if requested) and registration fee proof
Full setup
12-15
Working days
Timelines are indicative; visa processing and medical tests add 1-2 weeks.
Good to know Clinical activities require Dubai Health Authority (DHA) approval, and some activities need additional regulatory clearances.
Timeline
DHCC Business Setup Timeline
Follow this general timeline to understand how the Dubai Healthcare City setup process typically progresses.
- Day 1-3: Submit application, shareholder KYC, and business plan
- Day 4-7: Initial approval and trade name reservation
- Day 8-12: Sign lease, pay fees, and finalize legal documents
- Day 13-15: Receive Certificate of Incorporation and commercial license
Setup Process
Dubai Healthcare City Company Setup Steps
Follow these steps to establish your healthcare or wellness company in Dubai Healthcare City from consultation to bank account with our team guiding each stage.
Step 1
Business Consultation
Discuss your healthcare model, target market, facility type, and visa requirements with a DHCC consultant to confirm the right location and identify the correct license segment.
Step 2
Choose License Type
Select your primary licensed activity from DHCC's 10 clusters and confirm minimum share capital, external approvals, and facility requirements for your chosen segment.
Step 3
Prepare Documents
Gather shareholder KYC, UBO forms, corporate documents, and lease agreements; corporate entities obtain UAE embassy attestation and notarization for legal documents.
Step 4
Reserve Trade Name
Submit an online application via the DHCA Masar portal with a business plan, 3 proposed trade names, and supporting documents; DHCA reserves your name within 3-4 business days.
Step 5
Obtain Approval & Lease
Receive a provisional approval letter detailing terms; secure your office, clinic, or facility space within Phase 1 (Oud Metha) or Phase 2 (Al Jadaf) based on your activity.
Step 6
Complete Licensing
Sign the final lease, deposit share capital, and pay registration and license fees (AED 14,900-45,000); sign legal documents and receive your Certificate of Incorporation and commercial license.
Step 7
Process Visas
Apply for the establishment card and investor, manager, or employee visas based on approved facility size; medical fitness tests and visa stamping are completed within 1-2 weeks.
Step 8
Open Bank Account
Use your commercial license and corporate documents to open a UAE corporate bank account with approved institutions, and activate payment solutions for operations.
Visas
Visa Allocation & Costs in Dubai Healthcare City
Visa quota is determined by leased facility size, typically 1 visa per 100 sq ft, subject to DHCA and Registrar approval.
- Investor, manager, and employee visas available; family sponsorship for qualifying residents with valid employment visas
- Establishment card required (valid 1 year, renewable annually) for visa sponsorship and government services
- Entry permit processing typically 5 business days; full visa stamping within 1-2 weeks after medical tests
- Golden Visa holders and non-sponsored employees may obtain access cards, counted separately within the quota
Pricing
Cost of Dubai Healthcare City Setup
Total setup costs depend on license type, facility size, share capital, and visa quota. Basic setup packages begin at AED 14,900; comprehensive healthcare setups range from AED 35,000 to 70,000 annually.
Basic Setup
From AED 14,900
An entry package to hold the license and a DHCC base, suited to consultancy and lean service activities.
Standard Healthcare Setup
AED 35,000-50,000/year
A license with a dedicated facility and visas, suited to clinics, labs, and wellness providers.
Comprehensive Setup
AED 50,000-70,000/year
Larger facilities, higher visa quotas, and clinical approvals for hospitals and multi-activity groups.
Our setup guidance covers
License segments & share capital
Comparing license segments and minimum share capital requirements per activity.
Registration & renewal fees
Calculating registration, licensing, and annual renewal fees.
Lease costs
Estimating office and clinic lease costs (AED 3,000-25,000+ annually).
Visa & establishment card
Calculating visa and establishment card costs per quota.
Bundled packages
Identifying bundled packages and activity-specific savings.
Tailored budget
Providing a tailored AED budget breakdown per activity.
Note
All figures are indicative. Contact Riz & Mona to get your full Dubai Healthcare City business setup estimate.
Get Started
Set Up Your Healthcare Company in DHCC
From license and facility selection to DHA approvals, visas, and banking, we handle your Dubai Healthcare City setup end to end. Book a free 30-minute consultation and get a clear, costed plan.
License & activity selection•Facility in Phase 1 or 2•DHA & regulatory approvals•Visas & bank account
