Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Setup
Set up your healthcare business in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) — the region's leading healthcare free zone for clinics, medical centres, healthcare consultancies, and medical trading companies.
Description
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is the Middle East's largest healthcare free zone, purpose-built for medical and wellness businesses. DHCC hosts over 160 clinical facilities including hospitals, specialty clinics, diagnostic centres, and rehabilitation facilities, plus hundreds of non-clinical healthcare businesses — medical equipment traders, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare consultancies, medical education providers, and wellness brands. DHCC operates its own independent regulator (DHCC Authority / DHCA) for clinical licensing.
DHCC offers two distinct licensing tracks: (1) Clinical — hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, and pharmacies, which require both the DHCC commercial license and DHCA clinical facility licensing with healthcare professional credentialing, and (2) Non-Clinical — medical equipment trading, pharma representation, healthcare IT, consultancy, and education, which require only the commercial license. Octavon facilitates the company formation and commercial licensing for both tracks, and coordinates the clinical facility licensing pathway for clinical setups — the clinical operator appoints its own licensed medical director and credentialed practitioners.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete DHCC setup — license track assessment (clinical vs non-clinical), activity selection, trade name reservation, KYC submission, facility coordination, MOA drafting, commercial license issuance, clinical facility licensing coordination (where applicable), Establishment Card, visa processing, and corporate bank account introduction. Non-clinical setups complete in 10 to 15 working days; clinical facility setups take 8 to 16 weeks including DHCA facility approval.
What's Included
- DHCC Trade License (Clinical or Non-Clinical Track)
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Region's Leading Healthcare Free Zone Address
- DHCA Clinical Facility Licensing Coordination (Clinical Track)
- Healthcare Activity Selection Guidance
- Facility / Office Coordination
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Share Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1-2 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- Free UAE Corporate Tax Consultation
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Healthcare-related activity from DHCC approved list
- Clinical track: licensed medical director and credentialed practitioners (operator-appointed)
- Clinical track: facility fit-out meeting DHCA clinical standards
- Non-clinical track: standard office requirements
- Trade name following DHCC naming rules
- NOC from current sponsor if applicant is on UAE residence visa
Required Documents
- Passport Copy (6+ months validity, all shareholders)
- Passport-sized Photographs
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- Proof of Address (utility bill, last 3 months)
- CV or Company Profile
- Business Plan (clinical activities)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- List of Proposed Healthcare Activities
- Medical Director Credentials (clinical track, operator-appointed)
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- For corporate shareholder: attested parent documents
Our Process
- Consultation on clinical vs non-clinical licensing track
- Activity selection and feasibility check
- Trade name reservation with DHCC
- Submit KYC application
- DHCC review and initial approval
- Facility or office lease within DHCC
- Pay DHCC license fees
- MOA signing and corporate documents
- Receive DHCC Commercial License
- Clinical facility licensing coordination with DHCA (clinical track)
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa processing
- Medical fitness and Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 27,000
- Service Fee: AED 5,000
- VAT (5%): AED 1,600
- Total: AED 33,600
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between clinical and non-clinical DHCC licenses?
Clinical licenses cover patient-facing facilities — clinics, hospitals, labs, pharmacies — and require DHCA facility licensing plus credentialed healthcare professionals. Non-clinical licenses cover medical trading, pharma representation, healthcare IT, consultancy, and education, with no clinical regulatory layer. Costs and timelines differ significantly between the two tracks.
Does Octavon handle the medical practitioner licensing?
We facilitate the company setup, commercial licensing, and coordinate the clinical facility licensing pathway with DHCA. Individual practitioner credentialing (medical director, doctors, nurses) is appointed and processed by the clinical operator through DHCA's professional licensing system — we guide you through the requirements and sequence.
How much does DHCC setup cost?
Non-clinical DHCC licenses start at approximately AED 27,000-35,000 in government fees. Clinical facility setups are substantially higher — facility licensing, fit-out to DHCA standards, and clinical staffing typically bring total first-year costs to AED 250,000+ depending on facility type.
How long does DHCC setup take?
Non-clinical setups complete in 10 to 15 working days. Clinical facility setups take 8 to 16 weeks including DHCA facility approval, fit-out inspection, and medical director appointment.
Can a DHCC company serve patients from anywhere in Dubai?
Yes. DHCC clinical facilities serve patients from across Dubai and the UAE — the free zone status affects company ownership and licensing, not patient access. Insurance empanelment with UAE insurers is processed after clinical licensing.
What non-clinical healthcare businesses suit DHCC?
Medical equipment and device trading, pharmaceutical representation offices, healthcare IT and digital health platforms, healthcare management consultancy, medical education and training providers, wellness brands, and medical tourism facilitators all operate under the non-clinical track.
Why choose DHCC over a DHA mainland clinic license?
DHCC offers 100% foreign ownership with its own integrated healthcare regulator (DHCA), a purpose-built medical district, and proximity to 160+ clinical facilities for referrals. Mainland DHA licensing suits businesses needing locations across Dubai neighbourhoods. We advise based on your patient catchment and ownership preferences.