Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Also known as: DHA, Dubai Health Authority
Quick Answer
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulates healthcare in Dubai — it licenses clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and medical practitioners, and operates the medical fitness centres used for residency visas. Healthcare businesses need DHA facility and practitioner licences on top of the DET trade licence.
The DHA licenses medical facilities and health professionals, sets clinical standards, and runs the DHA-approved medical fitness screening (blood test and chest X-ray) that every residency-visa applicant aged 18+ must pass.
Opening a clinic, pharmacy, or any healthcare facility in Dubai means a DHA facility licence plus individual practitioner licences for the medical staff — activity-specific approvals that run in parallel with the DET licence and that ZETUP maps out for healthcare clients.
DHA publishes its fees by facility category: AED 5,000 a year to activate or renew a general clinic licence, AED 6,000 for a specialty clinic and AED 15,000 for a multi-specialty medical centre, plus AED 1,000 on application and AED 2,000 for the inspection. Registering a healthcare professional is AED 200, which DHA states applies to all professional categories. A two-year licence costs 1.75x the annual fee and three years 2.5x, so the longer term is cheaper per year in every category.
Official sources: DHA Facility License Fees (PDF, 28 Jan 2025) · DHA Facility Services Fees (PDF, 28 Jan 2025)
Frequently asked questions
What does the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulate?
The DHA licenses clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and medical practitioners, and runs the medical fitness screening every residency-visa applicant aged 18+ must pass.
Do I need a DHA licence to open a clinic in Dubai?
Yes — a DHA facility licence plus individual practitioner licences for the medical staff, on top of the DET trade licence.
How much is a DHA licence for a clinic?
DHA prices the facility licence by category: AED 5,000 a year for a general clinic or general dental clinic, AED 6,000 for a specialty clinic and AED 15,000 for a multi-specialty medical centre, plus AED 1,000 on application and AED 2,000 for the inspection. Registering a healthcare professional is AED 200, which DHA states applies to all professional categories.
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