Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Medical Engineering Services licence in Dubai cover
A Medical Engineering Services licence operates under Activity Code 7110.28, which sits within ISIC Division 71 — Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultancy. It is a technical services classification, not a clinical one, meaning licence holders provide engineering support rather than medical care.
The scope includes design, installation, and commissioning of medical equipment; preventive and corrective maintenance of biomedical systems; calibration of diagnostic, imaging, and monitoring devices; repair of surgical tools and life-support equipment; and technical consultancy on clinical engineering and imaging technology.
Typical clients include private hospitals, specialist clinics, diagnostic centres, and government health facilities. The licence ensures the equipment that delivers medical care functions correctly and safely.
Which regulatory bodies oversee Medical Engineering Services in Dubai
Several authorities have oversight depending on the nature of the work. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues the primary trade licence for mainland operations, while free zone authorities handle free zone setups.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) must approve any activity involving medical devices or work within clinical settings. Its remit covers healthcare facilities and the technical services operating within them — see dha.gov.ae.
At the federal level, MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) oversees medical device servicing under UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2020 on Medical Products Regulation — see mohap.gov.ae. Calibration services may also require compliance with standards from ESMA, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology — see esma.gov.ae.
Is a trade licence alone sufficient to operate as a medical engineering firm in Dubai
No — the trade licence is a necessary starting point, but it does not by itself authorise you to operate in clinical environments. Additional regulatory approvals are required before commencing work.
Specifically, DHA approval is required for any activity involving medical devices or work within healthcare facilities. Firms handling regulated medical devices must also be aware of MOHAP's oversight under Federal Law No. 4 of 2020.
Professional qualification requirements also apply. Engineers engaged in biomedical services are expected to hold recognised credentials in biomedical, mechanical, or electrical engineering, and regulators will verify competency rather than simply accepting paperwork.
What are the differences between setting up on the mainland versus a free zone for this licence
The jurisdiction choice affects your commercial reach, ownership structure, and cost base. Mainland setup via DET allows you to contract directly with government hospitals, public health entities, and Ministry-affiliated facilities — a common commercial necessity in medical engineering, since government tenders typically require a mainland licence.
Ownership rules on the mainland have relaxed significantly, and many professional activities now permit 100% foreign ownership. This removes a historic barrier for international operators.
Free zone setup (for example, via Meydan Free Zone) offers full foreign ownership, faster incorporation, and a lower initial cost base. However, free zone companies may face restrictions when contracting directly with government or public sector health facilities.
The right choice depends primarily on who your clients are — public sector work strongly favours a mainland licence, while a free zone structure may suit firms focused on private healthcare clients or international operations.
What professional qualifications are required for engineers working under this licence
Regulators in Dubai apply genuine competency checks for biomedical engineering services — this is not a paper exercise. Engineers engaged in work under Activity Code 7110.28 are expected to hold recognised credentials in biomedical, mechanical, or electrical engineering.
The DHA and other relevant authorities will verify qualifications as part of the approval process for operating in clinical environments. Firms should ensure that key technical staff hold appropriate degrees or professional certifications before applying for regulatory clearances.
It is advisable to prepare certified copies of academic qualifications and any relevant professional memberships or certifications in advance, as these will typically be required during the licensing and DHA approval process.
Can a foreign national own 100% of a Medical Engineering Services company in Dubai
Yes, in most cases. Ownership rules on the Dubai mainland have been significantly liberalised, and many professional and technical service activities — including engineering consultancy — now permit 100% foreign ownership without requiring a local Emirati partner.
In free zones, 100% foreign ownership has long been the standard, making them an established route for international operators entering the UAE market.
It is worth confirming the current ownership rules for Activity Code 7110.28 specifically with the DET or your chosen free zone authority at the time of application, as regulations can be updated and individual activity classifications may be subject to specific conditions.
Are visa options available for investors and employees under a Medical Engineering Services licence
Yes — investor and employee visas are available for companies licensed under Activity Code 7110.28 in Dubai. Both mainland and free zone structures provide a basis for visa allocation.
The number of visas a company can sponsor is typically linked to its office space, licence type, and the size of its operations. Investor visas are available to company owners and shareholders, while employment visas can be sponsored for technical and administrative staff.
Free zones often offer packaged visa quotas as part of their incorporation bundles, which can simplify the process for smaller teams. For larger operations or government-facing businesses, a mainland licence provides flexibility to scale visa allocations in line with growth.
How large is the UAE healthcare market and what does that mean for medical engineering services
The UAE healthcare market was valued at USD 21.3 billion in 2023 (Statista), reflecting the country's sustained investment in hospital infrastructure, diagnostic capacity, and specialist medical facilities across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
As the healthcare estate expands, so does demand for the technical services sector that supports it — including equipment installation, maintenance, calibration, and biomedical consultancy. Medical engineering firms are a critical part of this supply chain, ensuring that clinical equipment operates safely and to regulatory standards.
Dubai's position as a regional healthcare hub, combined with ongoing government investment in public health infrastructure, means the pipeline of work for qualified medical engineering firms is expected to continue growing. Establishing a properly licensed and DHA-approved operation positions a firm to access both private and public sector opportunities in this expanding market.
Medical Engineering Services License in Dubai
Dubai's healthcare infrastructure is expanding at pace, and the demand for qualified medical engineering firms — covering equipment installation, maintenance, calibration, and technical consultancy — is growing in parallel. The UAE healthcare market was valued at USD 21.3 billion in 2023, and the technical services sector supporting it is scaling accordingly.
This guide covers what a Medical Engineering Services licence (Activity Code 7110.28) covers, who it suits, where to set up, and how to get licensed in Dubai.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Activity Code | 7110.28 |
| Activity Name | Medical Engineering Services |
| ISIC Category | Technical Testing and Analysis / Engineering Activities (Division 71) |
| Licence Type | Professional / Service |
| Jurisdiction | Mainland Dubai or Free Zone (e.g. Meydan Free Zone) |
| Regulatory Bodies | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) + Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| UAE Healthcare Market Size | USD 21.3 billion (2023, Statista) |
| Visa Eligibility | Yes — investor and employee visas available |
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Calculate NowWhat Medical Engineering Services Covers
Activity Code 7110.28 sits within ISIC Division 71 — Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultancy. It is a technical services classification, not a clinical one, and that distinction matters when navigating approvals.
The scope of this licence includes:
- Design, installation, and commissioning of medical equipment and hospital infrastructure
- Preventive and corrective maintenance of biomedical systems
- Calibration of diagnostic, imaging, and monitoring devices
- Repair and refurbishment of surgical tools and life-support equipment
- Technical consultancy on biomedical systems, imaging technology, and clinical engineering
Clients typically include private hospitals, specialist clinics, diagnostic centres, and government health facilities. The work is engineering-led — your firm is not providing medical care, it is ensuring the equipment that delivers medical care functions correctly and safely.
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Explore Over 2,500+Regulatory Landscape and Approvals Required
The primary trade licence is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland operations, or by the relevant free zone authority for free zone setups. However, the licence alone does not authorise you to operate in clinical environments.
Key regulatory touchpoints include:
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA): Approval is required for any activity involving medical devices or work within clinical settings. The DHA regulates healthcare facilities and the technical services operating within them. See dha.gov.ae.
- MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention): Medical devices and equipment servicing fall under UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2020 on Medical Products Regulation. Firms handling regulated medical devices need to be aware of MOHAP's oversight. See mohap.gov.ae.
- ESMA: Calibration services may require compliance with standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology. See esma.gov.ae.
Professional qualification requirements apply. Engineers engaged in biomedical services are expected to hold recognised credentials in biomedical, mechanical, or electrical engineering. This is not a paper exercise — regulators will verify competency.
Dubai Trade License from AED 12,500
Get Your LicenseMainland vs Free Zone: Choosing the Right Structure
The jurisdiction decision shapes your commercial reach, ownership structure, and cost base. There is no universal right answer — it depends on who your clients are.
Mainland (via DET) gives you the ability to contract directly with government hospitals, public health entities, and Ministry-affiliated facilities. In medical engineering, this is often a commercial necessity. Government tenders and public sector frameworks typically require a mainland licence. Ownership rules have relaxed significantly — many professional activities now permit 100% foreign ownership on the mainland.
Free Zone (e.g. Meydan Free Zone) offers full foreign ownership, faster incorporation, and a lower initial cost. It suits firms focused on consultancy, B2B services to private hospitals, or those building a UAE base while serving regional markets. Free zone companies serving onshore clients in regulated environments may need a local branch or distributor arrangement for certain activities.
Meydan Free Zone is a practical entry point for medical engineering consultancies — straightforward licence issuance, full ownership, and no unnecessary complexity.
Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide
The process is structured and predictable. The variable is how many external approvals your specific scope of services requires.
- Step 1 — Define your activity scope: Confirm whether your services require DHA pre-approval before you submit a licence application. Services involving clinical environments or regulated medical devices will. Pure consultancy may not.
- Step 2 — Choose your jurisdiction: Mainland via DET for government and public sector work; Meydan Free Zone or equivalent for private sector and consultancy-focused operations.
- Step 3 — Reserve your trade name and submit initial application: Include Activity Code 7110.28 in your application. Name reservation is typically completed within 24–48 hours.
- Step 4 — Prepare documentation: Passport copies of shareholders and directors, engineering qualification certificates, a business plan if required by the authority, and any applicable NOCs.
- Step 5 — Obtain external approvals: Submit to DHA and/or MOHAP depending on your service scope. Allow adequate time — these approvals run on their own timelines.
- Step 6 — Receive licence, open corporate bank account, and apply for visas: Investor and employee visas are available once the licence is issued. Bank account opening in the UAE requires a fully licensed entity.
Typical timelines: Free zone setup runs 2–4 weeks. Mainland with regulatory approvals runs 4–8 weeks, depending on DHA and MOHAP processing.
Conclusion
A Medical Engineering Services licence in Dubai (Activity Code 7110.28) positions your firm at the intersection of engineering precision and one of the UAE's fastest-growing sectors. The regulatory path is manageable with the right structure — free zone for speed and ownership clarity, mainland for direct government and hospital contracts. DHA and MOHAP approvals are the critical compliance steps that determine your operational scope, and they should be mapped before you choose your jurisdiction.
Speak to a business setup adviser to confirm the right jurisdiction, activity scope, and approval pathway for your specific medical engineering operation.
