Once you’ve obtained your DHA license, you can’t immediately start seeing patients privately as a US doctor in Dubai, you must first link your credential to an approved healthcare facility. You have two main paths: joining an existing clinic as an employed physician or establishing your own independent practice. Each route carries distinct regulatory requirements, visa implications, and compliance obligations you’ll need to navigate carefully. The sections below break down exactly what each pathway involves and how to maintain your standing with the DHA.
Your Two Paths to Private Practice in Dubai
When you’re ready to practice privately in Dubai, you’ll need to choose between two distinct paths: joining an established DHA-licensed facility or launching your own clinic.
Path One: Facility Employment
Joining an existing private clinic or hospital group lets you practice immediately under the facility’s trade license. Your employer sponsors your work visa, provides malpractice coverage, and grants hospital privileges. Compensation typically combines fixed salary with performance-based incentives.
Path Two: Independent Clinic Ownership
Opening your own practice requires understanding Dubai’s clinic ownership rules, which now permit 100% foreign ownership in many medical activities. You’ll secure both a DHA professional license and a separate facility license. This path demands greater capital but offers full control over branding, staffing, and service offerings, including telemedicine regulations compliance for virtual consultations. Before proceeding, you should conduct a feasibility study assessing market demand, competition, and service gaps to ensure your clinic concept is viable. Eligible physicians pursuing independent practice may also qualify for the UAE’s Golden Visa program, which provides long-term residency and increased mobility for themselves and their families.
What Your DHA License Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
Every DHA license carries precise boundaries that define where, how, and what you can legally practice, and misunderstanding these limits puts your career at risk.
Your license authorizes only the specialty and professional title stated on your certificate. You can’t perform procedures outside your credentialed scope, doing so constitutes unlicensed practice under UAE law. License limitations may further restrict specific procedures or patient populations based on your credentials assessment. Your scope of practice must be approved by the Medical director and clinical privileging committee at your facility.
You’re permitted to work only within DHA-licensed facilities in Dubai. Unlawful practice activities include treating patients in unlicensed locations, selling medications, or offering services in other regulatory zones like DHCC without separate authorization. Operating from residential apartments or unregistered facilities is a red flag indicating unlicensed practice that authorities actively investigate.
Your license doesn’t permit freelance clinical work without facility affiliation. Telemedicine requires operation through a DHA-licensed platform. Registration alone isn’t enough, your employer must activate your license before you begin practicing.
Why Every DHA License Must Link to a Facility
Your DHA professional license doesn’t authorize you to practice medicine independently, it must be linked to a licensed health facility before you can legally see patients. DHA’s Sheryan system connects your credentials to a specific facility, which activates your scope of practice and brings you under that facility’s clinical governance structure. The facility you link to must hold a valid DHA Facility License, which ensures it meets DHA regulations for infrastructure, safety, hygiene, equipment, and staffing standards. This license covers various facility types, from general clinics to day surgery centers, and requires appointment of a DHA-licensed Medical Director to provide professional oversight. Without this facility linkage, any healthcare services you provide are considered unlicensed practice, exposing you to regulatory sanctions and potential visa complications.
No Independent Practice Allowed
Unlike jurisdictions that permit physicians to hang a shingle and practice independently, Dubai’s regulatory framework doesn’t recognize the individual doctor as a standalone service-delivery unit. DHA’s centralized facility model positions licensed healthcare establishments, not individual practitioners, as the primary regulatory anchor for all clinical services.
This structure addresses independent practice risk by ensuring every physician operates within an auditable environment. Your DHA license remains inactive until a facility submits an activation request linking you to their profile in Sheryan. Without this linkage, you can’t treat patients, prescribe medications, or perform procedures in Dubai. As a US-trained physician, you benefit from exam exemption eligibility since the United States is classified as a Tier 1 country for DHA assessment purposes.
The facility-based approach enables DHA to enforce clinical governance through institutional audits, manage vicarious liability for malpractice claims, and maintain standardized quality controls. You’ll need facility sponsorship to convert your eligibility into active practice rights. Once employed, your sponsoring facility coordinates essential requirements including malpractice insurance and labor contract submission to complete the licensing process.
Facility Activates Your License
Once DHA approves your professional credentials, your license enters a registered but inactive status, a holding pattern that persists until a licensed facility claims you in Sheryan.
Your employer initiates activation through their facility Sheryan account, submitting an electronic request that links your credentials to their premises. This linkage isn’t bureaucratic formality, it establishes your scope of practice limitations, defining exactly where and how you can treat patients. DHA typically processes activation within 2, 5 working days after fee payment and ancillary requirements clear.
The facility connection extends beyond initial activation. During each license renewal process, your status depends on maintained facility affiliation. If the facility faces compliance violations, restrictions, or suspension, your ability to practice suffers directly. DHA holds the facility’s Medical Director accountable for clinical governance over all linked professionals, including you. Operating without this proper facility linkage constitutes unlicensed practice and can lead to fines, lawsuits, or closure for both the professional and the facility involved.
Join an Existing Clinic or Start Your Own?
Once your DHA professional license is secured, you’ll face a pivotal decision: join an established healthcare group that provides immediate facility activation, insurance panels, and patient flow, or navigate the complex regulatory pathway of independent clinic setup. Starting your own practice means obtaining a separate trade license, securing DHA-compliant premises with mandated room specifications, and passing rigorous pre-approval audits before seeing a single patient. As a US-trained physician, you benefit from exam exemption status, allowing you to bypass the DHA GP Exam and accelerate your licensing timeline. Before reaching this stage, you must complete Dataflow verification to authenticate your credentials directly with the original issuing institutions, a process that typically takes 4-6 weeks. Understanding the administrative burden differences between these two paths, from NABIDH integration requirements to insurance empanelment timelines, will directly impact your time-to-revenue and operational risk exposure.
Joining Established Healthcare Groups
Most physicians entering Dubai’s private sector secure their DHA license through employment with an established healthcare group, a regulatory reality, since license activation requires a job offer from a DHA-approved facility.
Established groups offer significant group specific incentives for US-trained specialists. You’ll gain immediate access to pre-negotiated insurer panels, existing patient flow with 70, 85% utilization rates, and NABIDH-compliant IT infrastructure. Dedicated PRO teams handle your Sheryan submissions, DataFlow verification, and renewal tracking, eliminating administrative burdens that consume independent practitioners. The verification process typically takes 30-45 working days to complete before you can begin practicing.
From a compliance standpoint, you’ll operate under approved facility licenses, trade licenses, and design certifications without managing DHA-Dubai Economy coordination yourself. Financial flexibility improves through employer-covered malpractice insurance, visa processing, and license fees. Compensation structures combining fixed salary with production bonuses reduce income volatility compared with new clinic ownership’s typical 12, 24 month loss period. Additionally, these employers are required to provide health insurance coverage, ensuring you have medical protection from day one of your employment.
Independent Clinic Setup Requirements
While joining an established group streamlines your entry into Dubai’s private healthcare market, independent clinic ownership demands direct engagement with a dual-track licensing framework, you’ll need both commercial authorization from DED (or your chosen free zone) and a separate health facility license from DHA.
You must appoint a DHA-licensed medical director meeting specific credential and experience thresholds. Your premises require multiple functional rooms, consultation spaces, treatment areas, triage stations, and dedicated storage, single-room configurations won’t pass inspection. Budget planning should account for the DHA facility license, which typically costs between AED 20,000 and AED 50,000, not including inspection or reinspection fees.
Key compliance considerations include:
- Minimizing facility fit-out costs through early architectural alignment with DHA healthcare design guidelines
- Securing Municipality, Civil Defence, and DHA approvals before operational launch
- Leveraging digital platforms for patient access to offset location-dependent overhead
DHA’s Sheryan portal processes initial facility approval within approximately 10 working days when documentation is complete. You’ll also need to submit a layout/floor plan for your facility that has been duly approved by the municipality as part of your required documentation package.
Weighing Administrative Burden Differences
Beyond the initial setup hurdles, your long-term administrative reality diverges sharply depending on whether you join an existing clinic or launch your own. Your paperwork responsibilities multiply greatly with ownership, you’ll manage staff credentialing, regulatory renewals, and vendor contracts continuously. Staffing considerations alone require ongoing DataFlow verifications and license renewals for every hire.
| Responsibility | Joining Existing Clinic | Owning Your Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Emirates ID | Employer’s PRO handles | You coordinate processing |
| Regulatory reporting | Management submits | You guarantee compliance |
| Billing operations | In-house team manages | You oversee claims strategy |
| Staff credentialing | HR processes renewals | You manage all personnel |
| Vendor contracts | Administration negotiates | You handle all agreements |
Employed physicians focus primarily on clinical documentation, while owners bear compliance accountability across all operational domains.
Where to Find Private Clinics Hiring US Doctors
Several major private hospital groups in Dubai actively recruit US-trained physicians and maintain dedicated hiring channels you’ll want to target.
Key recruitment sources include:
- Hospital group career portals: Mediclinic, American Hospital Dubai, and Aster DM Healthcare post DHA-licensed consultant positions directly on their websites
- Regional job platforms: Indeed UAE, Bayt, and GulfTalent feature polyclinic recruitment listings with filters for private-sector roles requiring Western credentials
- Healthcare recruitment agencies: Firms like Odyssey Recruitment specialize in placing US-trained specialists with JCI-accredited facilities
Specialty clinic opportunities concentrate in Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, and DIFC, where aesthetic dermatology, cardiology, and orthopedic centers seek American-trained consultants for premium clientele. Search terms like “DHA licensed specialist” and “private clinic consultant” yield targeted results. Verify each employer’s DHA facility license status before submitting applications to confirm visa sponsorship eligibility.
How to Activate Your License Through Sheryan
Once you’ve secured a position at a private clinic, you’ll need to coordinate with your facility’s delegated representative to initiate license activation through Sheryan, you can’t apply independently. You’ll provide consent through your personal Sheryan account, upload current documents including your passport, malpractice insurance, and labour card, and guarantee your profile reflects accurate information before approving the request. Activation fees range from AED 1,000 to AED 4,000 depending on your profession category, with processing typically completed instantly or within one working day.
Facility-Linked Activation Steps
Every DHA license activation occurs through the facility, not through your individual Sheryan account, which means you’ll need an authorized healthcare facility to initiate and complete this process on your behalf.
The license approval process begins when your facility’s delegated representative selects “Activate Professional License” under Facility services in Sheryan. They’ll input your employment type and position details, triggering a system notification for your review.
Facility verification requirements include:
- Active facility license with your specific specialty/service authorization
- Your electronic consent granting activation permission
- Valid malpractice insurance and labor card (for non-UAE nationals)
After you approve the request through your Sheryan account, the facility pays activation fees. DHA typically issues your eLicense instantly or within one working day if data review is required.
Required Documents and Fees
Before your facility can submit an activation request, you’ll need to gather and upload a thorough document package through your Sheryan account.
Core Documentation
Upload your valid passport, Emirates ID, and recent photograph on a white background. Your primary medical degree, postgraduate certificates, and experience letters must meet credential attestation requirements, authenticated by home-country authorities, UAE Embassy, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Verification Requirements
Complete your DataFlow Primary Source Verification report and obtain Good Standing Certificates issued within six months. Residency documentation details include training completion certificates and procedure logbooks for surgical specialties.
Associated Fees
Budget for DHA registration fees, DataFlow verification charges, and license activation costs, each ranging from several hundred AED. Professionals aged 65+ require medical fitness testing. Annual renewal fees apply separately from initial registration expenses.
Steps to Open Your Own Private Clinic in Dubai
Anyone seeking to establish a private clinic in Dubai must navigate a multi-layered regulatory framework that integrates commercial licensing, facility approvals, and healthcare-specific compliance requirements. Your facility location selection determines whether you’ll operate under DED mainland rules or free zone regulations, directly impacting foreign ownership options and insurance panel access.
Before proceeding, you’ll need to satisfy these foundational registration requirements:
- Complete background checks for all owners/partners
- Prepare an extensive feasibility study covering service mix, projected volumes, and break-even assumptions
- Select your legal structure (sole establishment, LLC, or branch) aligned with DHA facility categories
You must then reserve your trade name, obtain initial approvals, and secure your commercial license with appropriate healthcare activity codes before advancing to DHA facility licensing submissions.
Working Multiple Facilities as a Portfolio Physician
Once your clinic infrastructure is operational, you may find that practicing at a single facility doesn’t maximize your earning potential or professional reach, this is where Dubai’s portfolio physician model becomes strategically valuable.
You’ll hold one DHA/DHCC/MOHAP license while securing separate clinical privileges at multiple facilities. Each site requires individual credentialing, documented scope definition, and periodic review. Your malpractice coverage must explicitly list all practice locations.
| Requirement | Compliance Action | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Facility Authorization | Complete credentialing per site | DHA/DOH/DHCC |
| Malpractice Insurance | Blanket or multi-site coverage | Federal Law |
| Medical Records | Unified medical records workflow | Facility-specific |
Block scheduling prevents conflicts. Establish coordinated on-call policies in writing to avoid simultaneous obligations. DHA audits require accessible documentation across all EMR systems you’re utilizing.
Test the Market With a 3-Month Practice Permit
Few pathways let you evaluate Dubai’s private practice potential with less commitment than DHA’s three-month temporary practice permit. This non-renewable permit lets you assess patient demand, trial new service lines, and gauge revenue potential before pursuing full licensure. Your sponsoring facility’s medical director must initiate the application through the Sheryan portal.
DHA’s three-month temporary permit offers a low-risk trial run before committing to full Dubai licensure.
Key compliance requirements:
- Secure valid medical malpractice insurance covering the entire permit duration
- Obtain your UAE entry visa separately from the practice permit
- Adhere strictly to DHA regulations and local clinical protocols
The facility bears full liability for your clinical activities, so expect rigorous oversight. You can only receive this permit once, it’s non-transferable and non-renewable. Use this window strategically to collect outcome data, build referral networks, and determine whether Dubai’s market justifies your long-term investment.
How to Pass DHA Audits and Keep Your License
Passing a DHA audit isn’t about last-minute scrambling, it’s about building systems that keep you compliant year-round. You’ll need valid professional and facility licenses linked correctly in the Dubai Medical Registry, plus professional indemnity insurance meeting DHA coverage thresholds.
Continuous quality improvement forms the audit backbone. Maintain clinical audit cycles, infection control logs, and patient safety incident reports with documented corrective actions. Your EMR must show access controls and audit trails demonstrating data protection compliance.
Facility inspection compliance requires organized evidence packs: previous inspection reports, closure evidence, and standardized clinical documentation templates. Keep emergency preparedness records current, crash cart checks, mock drill logs, and staff competency verification.
Address inspection non-conformities immediately and submit corrective action evidence promptly. Delays risk suspension, fines, or license non-renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can My Spouse Work in Dubai While I Practice Medicine Privately?
Yes, your spouse can work in Dubai while you practice privately. You’ll sponsor them on a family residence visa, but this doesn’t automatically grant work rights. For spousal employment options, they’ll need a separate work permit through MOHRE or a free zone authority. Many employers handle this sponsorship directly. This arrangement creates dual income opportunities, though regulated professions require additional licensing before employment approval.
Do US Doctors Over 65 Face Additional Medical Fitness Requirements?
Yes, you’ll face additional requirements due to age limitations. If you’re 65 or older, DHA mandates physical examinations at approved medical fitness centers before issuing or renewing your license. This requirement applies regardless of your US board certification or experience level. You must complete these fitness assessments after credential verification but before receiving practice authorization. Plan strategically, fitness clearance is non-negotiable, and failure to meet standards can prevent licensure entirely.
How Long Does Dataflow Primary Source Verification Typically Take to Complete?
You’ll typically wait 15, 25 working days for Dataflow primary source verification once you’ve submitted complete documents and payment. However, your actual paperwork processing time often extends to 30, 45 calendar days when factoring in institution response delays. To keep your license application process on track, guarantee you submit clear, certified scans and notify your universities and previous employers to expect Dataflow’s verification requests. Monitor your case status regularly through their portal.
Will My DHA License Allow Me to Practice in Abu DHAbi?
No, your DHA license won’t allow you to practice in Abu Dhabi. There’s no automatic license reciprocation process between emirates, each authority maintains independent jurisdiction. You’ll need to apply separately through DOH, complete their Primary Source Verification, and meet Abu Dhabi’s healthcare facility requirements for license activation. While your DHA credentials may support recognition, DOH conducts its own eligibility assessment. Many physicians maintain multiple licenses to practice across both emirates.
What Professional Indemnity Insurance Coverage Do Private Practitioners Need in Dubai?
You must carry professional indemnity coverage as a mandatory licensing requirement in Dubai. DHA requires valid medical malpractice liability insurance before you can practice. In DHCC, you’ll need minimum limits of AED 1,000,000 per claim and AED 3,000,000 annual aggregate for medical and dental professionals. Your policy must specify the coverage period, jurisdiction, and licensed facilities, and include the insurer’s official stamp for regulatory acceptance.
