What licences are required to open a medical clinic in Dubai?

In Dubai, a medical clinic requires a DHA Facility Licence, a DED or free zone Trade Licence, individual practitioner licences for all medical staff (DHA-issued), procedure-specific approvals, and a licensed medical director. We manage the entire application process for clients.

How long does it take to open a medical wellness clinic from start to finish?

In the UAE, the full process from initial concept to first patient takes 12-24 months. DHA/DOH facility licensing takes 3-6 months; medical director credentialing takes 2-4 months; construction and fit-out takes 4-8 months. These phases run partially in parallel under our project management.

What types of medical wellness clinics do you specialise in opening?

We have expertise in anti-ageing and longevity clinics, aesthetic medicine and cosmetic clinics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres, integrative medicine practices, IV therapy and infusion clinics, and medical spa facilities combining wellness and licensed medical treatments.

What is the investment required to open a medical wellness clinic in the UAE?

A boutique medical wellness clinic (200-400m²) in Dubai typically requires a total investment of USD 500,000 to USD 1,200,000. This covers premises fit-out, specialist medical and aesthetic equipment, licensing fees, staff mobilisation, and working capital for the first 6 months of operations.

Do you help with clinic licensing in Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and the Maldives?

Yes. We have successfully navigated licensing processes with Saudi MOH, the Kenyan Ministry of Health, and Maldives health authorities. Each jurisdiction has different requirements and timelines, and we prepare clients for these differences from the outset.

GCC & Africa

Medical Clinic Opening — Turnkey Development, Licensing & Launch

Full-cycle medical & longevity clinic development across the Gulf and Africa — from concept and design to equipment, business planning and launch, with licensing coordinated through local partners.

Discuss Your Clinic

The Market

Medical Wellness in the GCC & Africa is Growing Fast

The GCC medical-wellness market is expanding rapidly — Saudi Arabia's medical-aesthetics market alone is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2033 (Data Bridge) and the UAE's to USD 736 million by 2030 (P&S Intelligence), driven by Vision 2030 investment and rising demand for longevity and preventive health. In Africa, international-standard medical clinics remain scarce relative to a growing affluent patient base, creating genuine first-mover opportunities.

From our Dubai base, I Feel Spa International develops medical and longevity clinics across the GCC and into Africa — concept, clinical and luxury design, treatment and longevity protocols, medical-equipment supply, and the business plan that drives ROI. We bring 25+ years and 100+ delivered spa, medical-spa and wellness projects, with regulatory licensing coordinated through local partners in each market.

Our Approach

What We Bring to Every Clinic Project

Concept & ROI Modelling

Treatment-mix strategy, market positioning and an investor-ready business plan — feasibility, capital and operating budgets, break-even and projected ROI. We design clinics that earn, not just clinics that open.

Clinical & Luxury Design

Functional zoning, patient-flow optimisation and treatment-room sizing fused with five-star hospitality design. A well-designed clinic earns more — per room, per patient, per year.

Equipment & Technology Supply

Direct-from-manufacturer supply of aesthetic, longevity, rehabilitation and wellness technology through our partner network (Iyashi Dôme, PelviPower, reLounge, Trautwein and more) — selected on clinical efficacy, patient demand and payback.

Launch & Regulatory Coordination

Medical-director and team recruitment, protocol development and soft-launch execution — and we coordinate DHA/DOH/MOH and local health-authority licensing with local partners as part of delivery.

Also Explore

Our Other GCC & Africa Services

Spa Development Full-Cycle Clinic Service Private Wellness Africa & Islands Spa

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about medical clinic opening in the GCC & Africa

Do you open medical clinics in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?

Yes. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are our primary GCC markets for medical clinic development. We develop clinics end-to-end from our Dubai base — concept, design, equipment and business plan — and coordinate DHA, DOH and Saudi MOH licensing with local partners. We manage every stage from concept and design through to launch.

What types of medical clinics do you open in the GCC?

We specialise in medical wellness clinics, aesthetic medicine and longevity centres, medical spas, physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinics, and IV wellness infusion centres. Our expertise sits at the intersection of clinical medicine and luxury wellness hospitality.

Can you open a medical clinic in Kenya or the Maldives?

Yes. We develop clinics for Kenya, Tanzania and the Maldives from our Dubai base as we expand into these markets. Each has a distinct regulatory pathway, which we coordinate with local consultants — while we lead the concept, design, equipment and business plan.

How long does it take to open a medical clinic in the GCC?

Typically 12–24 months from concept to first patient in the UAE, depending on the licensing authority (DHA or DOH), facility type and medical staffing requirements. We actively compress timelines through experience and pre-established regulatory relationships.