Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISIC activity code 8690 and what services does it cover in Dubai
ISIC code 8690 — Other Human Health Activities covers allied health, paramedical, and complementary health services that operate outside hospitals, general practice clinics, and licensed medical doctors. It is broader than most founders initially expect.
Services that fall under this classification include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nutrition and dietetics consulting, home health aide services, midwifery, chiropractic, osteopathy, and acupuncture, among others. The exact scope depends on the specific service configuration applied for.
The key distinction from licensed medical practice is prescription authority — practitioners operating under 8690 do not prescribe pharmaceutical medicines. However, this is a regulated, legitimate classification, not an unregulated loophole category.
Who regulates human health activities businesses in Dubai
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) maintains primary oversight of any health-related activity operating within Dubai. This applies regardless of whether the business is structured through a free zone or on the mainland.
At the federal level, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) also governs certain allied health categories. Both bodies work in parallel, and compliance with their respective frameworks is mandatory.
The DHA's regulatory framework is widely regarded as a quality signal rather than a barrier — it supports commercial credibility with clients and insurers alike, which is a practical commercial advantage for new entrants.
Is DHA registration required even if operating from a free zone
Yes. DHA facility licensing and professional registration are mandatory for any health activity operating in Dubai, including businesses established through a free zone such as Meydan Free Zone.
The DHA maintains a register of approved health professionals and facility categories, and your activity scope must align with what the DHA classifies as permissible under your specific licence type. Free zone incorporation does not exempt a business from this requirement.
Each practitioner working within the business must also hold individual professional registration with the DHA, in addition to the facility licence held by the company itself.
Why is now a good time to start a human health activities business in Dubai
The UAE healthcare market is on a sustained growth trajectory, projected to exceed USD 40 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7%, according to IMARC Group. Population growth, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increased private sector participation are the primary drivers.
Government commitment is structural rather than cyclical. UAE Vision 2031 places health and wellbeing at the centre of national development priorities, with direct investment in infrastructure, digital health systems, and preventive care frameworks.
Demand is also diversified across multiple segments: Dubai's ageing expatriate population, growing wellness tourism, corporate wellness programmes, and chronic disease management — particularly for diabetes and musculoskeletal conditions — all create consistent, repeat-visit demand for services covered under activity code 8690.
Can practitioners under activity code 8690 prescribe medicines
No. Prescription authority for pharmaceutical medicines is not permitted under ISIC activity code 8690. This is the defining regulatory distinction between services in this category and those provided by licensed medical doctors.
This does not diminish the clinical or commercial scope of the activity. Services such as physiotherapy, nutrition consulting, occupational therapy, and complementary medicine disciplines operate effectively — and are widely reimbursed by insurers — without prescription rights.
Founders should ensure that their service offering is designed within this boundary from the outset, as operating outside the permitted scope of a DHA facility licence carries regulatory consequences.
What role does wellness tourism play in the Dubai human health activities market
Wellness tourism is a significant and growing contributor to Dubai's health economy. The emirate is actively positioned as a regional hub for both medical and wellness travel, as highlighted by Visit Dubai.
This creates a commercially relevant inbound client base for businesses operating under activity code 8690, particularly those offering services such as complementary therapies, nutrition consulting, and rehabilitation services that appeal to health-conscious travellers.
For new entrants, wellness tourism diversifies the potential client mix beyond the resident population, reducing reliance on any single demand segment and supporting more resilient revenue planning.
How many licensed health facilities does Dubai currently have
Dubai hosts over 3,500 licensed health facilities under the oversight of the Dubai Health Authority, according to DHA data. This reflects the scale and maturity of the emirate's private healthcare infrastructure.
Allied and complementary health services represent one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors within UAE private healthcare, indicating that the market for activity code 8690 businesses is both established and actively expanding.
This existing infrastructure also means that new entrants benefit from a population already accustomed to accessing private health services, which reduces the market education burden compared with less developed healthcare markets.
What is Meydan Free Zone and why is it relevant for setting up a human health activities business
Meydan Free Zone is one of the free zone jurisdictions in Dubai through which a human health activities business under ISIC code 8690 can be incorporated. The guide specifically identifies it as an efficient setup route for this activity category.
Free zones in Dubai generally offer advantages including full foreign ownership, streamlined incorporation processes, and defined commercial activity frameworks. These features make them a practical starting point for international founders entering the UAE healthcare market.
It is important to note that regardless of the free zone chosen, DHA facility licensing and practitioner registration remain mandatory. The free zone handles the commercial licence; the DHA governs the health activity permissions separately.
How to Start a Human Health Activities Business in Dubai
Dubai's healthcare sector is expanding at pace, and activity code 8690 — Other Human Health Activities — covers a broad, commercially viable range of services that sit outside traditional hospital and clinic structures. This guide covers what the licence permits, who regulates it, and how to set up efficiently via Meydan Free Zone.
Key Stats at a Glance
- The UAE healthcare market is projected to reach USD 40+ billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of approximately 7% (IMARC Group)
- Dubai hosts over 3,500 licensed health facilities under the Dubai Health Authority's oversight (DHA)
- Allied and complementary health services represent one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors within UAE private healthcare
- UAE Vision 2031 allocates substantial public investment to health infrastructure and preventive care
- Wellness tourism contributes significantly to Dubai's health economy, with the emirate positioned as a regional hub for medical and wellness travel (Visit Dubai)
What 'Other Human Health Activities' Actually Covers
ISIC code 8690 encompasses allied health, paramedical, and complementary health services that operate outside the scope of hospitals, general practice clinics, and licensed medical doctors. The category is broader than most founders initially assume.
Services that fall under this activity include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nutrition and dietetics consulting, home health aide services, midwifery, and certain traditional and complementary medicine disciplines. Chiropractic, osteopathy, and acupuncture also sit within this classification depending on the specific service configuration.
The critical distinction from licensed medical practice is prescription authority — practitioners operating under 8690 do not prescribe pharmaceutical medicines. That said, the activity is regulated, not unregulated. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) maintains oversight of any health-related activity operating within Dubai, and professional registration is mandatory regardless of the business structure chosen.
This is not a loophole category. It is a legitimate, well-defined classification that covers a significant portion of the modern healthcare economy.
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Explore Over 2,500+Dubai Healthcare Market: Why the Timing Is Right
The UAE healthcare market is on a sustained growth trajectory. According to IMARC Group, the market is expected to exceed USD 40 billion by 2028, driven by population growth, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increased private sector participation.
Government commitment is structural, not cyclical. UAE Vision 2031 places health and wellbeing at the centre of national development priorities, with direct investment in infrastructure, digital health systems, and preventive care frameworks. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has actively expanded the regulatory framework to accommodate private allied health providers.
Demand drivers are diverse. Dubai's ageing expatriate population requires ongoing allied health support. Wellness tourism is growing year on year. Corporate wellness programmes are standard among larger employers. And chronic disease management — particularly for diabetes and musculoskeletal conditions — creates consistent, repeat-visit demand for exactly the services covered under 8690.
The DHA's regulatory framework is not a barrier — it is a quality signal that supports commercial credibility with clients and insurers alike.
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Calculate NowRegulatory Considerations and Compliance Requirements
Any health activity operating in Dubai requires a DHA facility licence and professional registration for each practitioner. This applies whether you are operating from a free zone or on the mainland. The DHA maintains a register of approved health professionals and facility categories — your activity scope must align with what the DHA classifies as permissible under your licence type.
At the federal level, MOHAP governs certain allied health categories, particularly where practitioners hold qualifications from outside the UAE. Credential verification is mandatory. Qualifications must be attested and assessed against UAE standards before a practitioner can be registered.
Staff requirements are non-negotiable. Each practising professional must hold valid DHA or MOHAP registration specific to their discipline. Employing unregistered practitioners — even temporarily — carries significant regulatory risk.
On the question of free zone versus mainland: a free zone licence permits you to operate within the free zone and internationally. To provide services directly to clients at a mainland Dubai location, you will typically need either a mainland licence or a formal commercial arrangement with a mainland entity. Many operators use the free zone structure for consulting, telehealth, and home-visit models, which carry different operational requirements.
Professional indemnity insurance is strongly advised and in many cases required by the DHA for facility registration. Liability coverage protects both the practitioner and the business entity.
Setting Up via Meydan Free Zone: Step-by-Step
Meydan Free Zone offers a cost-efficient, administratively straightforward route to establishing a health activities business in Dubai. The process is structured and, for most applicants, completable within a few working days for the free zone component.
- Step 1 — Confirm your activity scope. Select activity code 8690 and discuss the specific services you intend to offer with the Meydan Free Zone team. Confirm that your intended services fall within the permitted scope of the licence.
- Step 2 — Reserve your trade name. Submit your preferred company name for approval. Names must comply with UAE naming conventions and must not conflict with existing registered entities.
- Step 3 — Submit your application documents. Standard requirements include a passport copy for each shareholder and director, a business plan outlining your services, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if you are currently employed in the UAE.
- Step 4 — Receive your free zone licence. Once approved, your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is issued. This is your commercial operating licence for the free zone entity.
- Step 5 — Pursue DHA professional registration. Separately from the free zone licence, each practitioner must complete DHA registration. This runs in parallel and should be initiated promptly.
- Step 6 — Arrange visas and workspace. Meydan Free Zone offers visa eligibility and flexi-desk options. Remote setup is available for founders not yet resident in the UAE.
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Activity code 8690 offers genuine commercial scope in one of the region's fastest-growing health markets. The licence is accessible, the regulatory path is clear, and Meydan Free Zone provides a cost-efficient base from which to operate — whether you are building a physiotherapy practice, a nutrition consultancy, or a home health service.
The DHA framework, while requiring attention, is well-documented and navigable. The market fundamentals are strong. The setup process is straightforward when approached in the right sequence.
Speak to the Meydan Free Zone team to confirm your activity scope and get your licence process started.
References
- IMARC Group (imarcgroup.com)
- DHA (dha.gov.ae)
- Visit Dubai (visitdubai.com)
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) (mohap.gov.ae)
