Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC): Licensing, DHCR and Clinic Setup
Dubai Healthcare City explained: DHCA vs DHCR vs DHA, what changed under Law 16 of 2024, clinic licence fees, professional licensing, hospitals and the metro.
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is a healthcare free zone in Oud Metha (Phase 1) and Al Jaddaf (Phase 2). It is run by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). Its regulatory arm, DHCR, has historically licensed clinics and clinicians inside the zone separately from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Since 2024, new Dubai laws also require DHA approval for health activities, so a clinic there now deals with both DHCA and DHA. Confirm the current route with DHCA before you apply.
Last checked: 18 October 2026
What Dubai Healthcare City is
DHCC was launched in 2002 as a free zone for healthcare, medical education and wellness. It allows 100% foreign ownership and has its own commercial licensing, leases and visa sponsorship.
- Phase 1 is the clinical cluster on Oud Metha Road, next to Wafi. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, labs and the medical university are here.
- Phase 2 is in Al Jaddaf, along Dubai Creek. It is focused on wellness, hospitality and residential development.
The zone is now governed by Dubai Law No. 16 of 2024, issued on 4 September 2024. It replaced Law No. 9 of 2011. Main points of the 2024 law:
- DHCA licenses and registers companies and commercial activities in the zone.
- Health activities need DHA licences in addition to any DHCA permits (Article 20).
- DHCA must act "subject to the powers" of the DHA, and DHA keeps its power to inspect and fine (Articles 5 and 6).
- Zone companies get a 0% tax rate for 50 years from the start of operations, renewable, plus customs exemptions.
DHCA, DHCR and DHA: who does what
Search results use these three names interchangeably. They are not the same.
| Body | Full name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| DHCA | Dubai Healthcare City Authority | Free zone authority. Commercial licences, leases, operating permits, visas, zone rules |
| DHCR | Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulation | DHCA's regulatory department. Has licensed healthcare professionals and clinical facilities in DHCC through its own e-services, exam and standards |
| DHA | Dubai Health Authority | Health regulator for the emirate. Licenses mainland facilities and professionals through Sheryan |
What changed in 2024 and 2025
Three official documents moved DHCC closer to DHA:
- Law No. 16 of 2024 requires DHA licences for health activities in DHCC.
- Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024 applies DHA licensing to health facilities across Dubai, "including in Special Development Zones and free zones". Existing facilities and professionals had one year to comply, extendable once.
- DHCA Rule No. 1 of 2025 (in force from 2 May 2025) says most clinical activities need DHA approval. It also keeps DHCA's own Operating Permit and Clinical Operating Permit, and says clinical services must be given by professionals "licensed in DHCC".
The result is a mixed system. Consultancies disagree on the details: some say professional licensing is now integrated with DHA's Sheryan; others still describe a separate DHCR application. The official documents do not spell out the day-to-day process. Before paying any fees, ask DHCA in writing which portal and licence your role or facility needs.
How to set up a clinic in DHCC
This is the sequence based on DHCA Rule No. 1 of 2025. Check each step with DHCA, as fees and forms change.
- Pick your activity and legal form. DHCA groups activities into ten clusters, including Healthcare, Education, Research and Wellness. Healthcare covers inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, diagnostics and labs. Allowed structures are a Free Zone LLC, a branch of a foreign company, or a branch of a UAE company.
- Secure premises. Clinical space must meet the health facility design guidelines. Some non-clinical activities can use a Zawel licence without a lease.
- Get external approvals. Most clinical activities need DHA approval before DHCA issues the licence.
- Get the DHCA commercial licence and Operating Permit. The licence is valid for one year and renews annually.
- Get the Clinical Operating Permit. Healthcare facilities need it before they open.
- License your clinicians. Every doctor, nurse and allied professional must be licensed before they practise.
Licence fees in the 2025 rule
| Activity | Annual licence fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Most outpatient clinical activities | 15,000 |
| Hospitals | 25,000 to 45,000, depending on beds |
| Medical Hub (unlimited doctor professional licences, annual package) | 22,000 |
These are DHCA licence fees only. Rent, fit-out, equipment, DHA fees, visas and insurance are extra.
Professional licensing in DHCC
DHCR's General Licensing Requirements for Healthcare Professionals guideline (version effective July 2021) sets out the process it has used:
- Apply online through the DHCR e-services gateway with your degree, experience letters and passport.
- Pay the initial review fee. All documents go through primary source verification (PSV).
- Provide a Certificate of Good Standing from your current regulator, issued within the last six months.
- Sit the DHCA licensing exam if required. It is multiple-choice, in English, at Prometric centres, with up to three attempts. DHA licence holders may be exempt.
- Before issue, submit malpractice insurance, a hands-on BLS certificate and proof of a job with a licensed DHCC facility. Then pay the issuance fee.
A Letter of Acceptance does not let you practise. You need the issued licence.
If you are licensing with DHA instead, see our DHA licence guide, DHA exam guide and DataFlow for DHA guide.
What is located in Dubai Healthcare City
- Mediclinic City Hospital, a large private tertiary hospital
- Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, a branch of the London eye hospital
- Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital and Emirates Specialty Hospital
- Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), with its College of Medicine and Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine
- More than 100 outpatient clinics, dental centres and diagnostic labs
- Salem Emirates Medical Fitness Center, one of Dubai Health's visa medical centres (see our medical fitness test guide)
Getting there
- Metro: Dubai Healthcare City station is on the Green Line, between Oud Metha and Al Jadaf. Oud Metha station also works for the north end of Phase 1.
- By car: Phase 1 is off Oud Metha Road near Wafi City. Most buildings have paid parking.
- Phase 2: In Al Jaddaf. The nearest metro is Al Jadaf on the Green Line.
DHCC or mainland: which is better for a clinic?
DHCC suits groups that want a medical cluster address, 100% foreign ownership and free zone tax treatment. A mainland DHA clinic suits most neighbourhood clinics that need to be near patients, such as in JLT, Al Barsha or Mirdif. Patient footfall matters more than the licence type for most outpatient practices.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DHA licence valid in Dubai Healthcare City?
Historically, no: DHCC needed its own DHCR licence, though DHA holders could be exempt from the DHCA exam. Since the 2024 laws, DHA licensing also applies to health activities in DHCC. Ask DHCA which licence your role needs.
What does DHCR stand for?
Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulation. It is the regulatory department of DHCA, which licenses and inspects healthcare professionals and facilities in the free zone.
How much is a clinic licence in DHCC?
DHCA Rule No. 1 of 2025 sets AED 15,000 a year for most outpatient activities and AED 25,000 to 45,000 for hospitals. Rent, fit-out, DHA fees and visas are extra.
Which metro station is Dubai Healthcare City?
Dubai Healthcare City station on the Green Line, between Oud Metha and Al Jadaf.
Can I work in a DHCC clinic and a mainland clinic?
Only if you hold the licences each regulator requires, and your employer arranges the right permissions. Do not practise outside your licensed facility.
Opening a clinic in DHCC or on the mainland? Access One runs Google Ads for Dubai clinics.
Sources
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 16 of 2024 concerning Dubai Healthcare City
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024
- DHCA: Rule No. 1 of 2025 on permitted activities and licensing categories
- DHCR: General Licensing Requirements for Healthcare Professionals
- DHCC: New professional licensing service
- Dubai Healthcare City metro station
Published 18 Oct 2026 · Access One
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