Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership Through Meydan Free Zone
Setting up a traditional Chinese medicine centre via Meydan Free Zone grants full foreign ownership with zero corporate tax on qualifying income. Operators also benefit from complete profit repatriation and a streamlined digital licensing process.
Dubai's Population Growth Fuels TCM Demand
Dubai's population exceeds 3.6 million and is projected to reach 5.8 million by 2040, expanding the patient base for specialist TCM services. Mandatory health insurance further strengthens both insurance-funded and self-pay revenue streams.
Wide Range of Covered TCM Services
Activity code 8690.75 covers acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na, cupping, moxibustion, and traditional Chinese diagnostics delivered under DHA standards. Corporate wellness programmes and group institutional contracts are also included within scope.
DHA Regulatory Clarity Protects Your Investment
The Dubai Health Authority provides defined licensing and quality standards specifically for traditional Chinese medicine centres, reducing regulatory uncertainty for operators. This clarity supports confident capital deployment and clinical planning.
Third-Party Approval Is a Required Step
Before a trade licence is issued, your facility, clinical model, staffing, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority. Building this approval stage into your setup timeline is essential for a smooth launch.
Know What Falls Outside This Activity Code
Hospital inpatient services, general medical practice, and unlicensed wellness services are not covered under activity code 8690.75 and require separate licensing. Operators should confirm their full service scope maps correctly to the right activity codes before applying.
How to Start a Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A traditional Chinese medicine centre, the licensed facility providing specialist acupuncture services, serves a growing patient and consumer base in Dubai.¹
Dubai's population of over 3.6 million, projected to reach 5.8 million by 2040,³ combined with mandatory health insurance and a strong wellness positioning, drives demand for licensed traditional Chinese medicine centre services.
For operators, a traditional Chinese medicine centre benefits from specialist positioning, insurance and self-pay revenue streams, and DHA regulatory clarity.²
That sustained demand for quality healthcare, specialist capacity, and population growth is exactly where the opportunity lies.
Sources: Dubai Health Authority. Strategic Plan and Healthcare Statistics, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. National Health Strategy, Dubai Media Office. Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan
The UAE has positioned healthcare as a strategic priority under We the UAE 2031, with explicit targets for capacity expansion, quality, Emiratisation, and medical tourism.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Healthcare investors | Groups deploying capital into Dubai's hospital and clinical infrastructure, targeting medical tourism, insurance-funded, and government-referred patient flows. |
| Clinical founders and medical directors | Physicians, surgeons, and healthcare executives establishing licensed hospital or clinic operations in Dubai. |
| International hospital groups | Global healthcare brands and hospital chains establishing a licensed Dubai facility or joint-venture operation. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai market.
8690.75 - Traditional Chinese Medicine Center
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed traditional Chinese medicine centre providing acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na, cupping, moxibustion, and traditional Chinese diagnostic and treatment methods.
Services are delivered under DHA licensing and quality standards, with qualified practitioners and appropriate clinical or operational infrastructure.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Specialist Consultation | Assessment. Outpatient consultation, assessment, and treatment planning within traditional Chinese medicine centre. |
| Core Treatment | Primary services. Acupuncture and related core treatment services. |
| Ongoing Management | Follow-up care. Multi-session treatment plans and chronic or recurring condition management. |
| Preventive Services | Screening and prevention. Preventive screening, early detection, and wellness services within traditional Chinese medicine centre. |
| Corporate and Group | B2B services. Corporate wellness, group programmes, and institutional service contracts. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Hospital inpatient services and general medical practice fall under separate codes.
Services outside the defined scope of traditional Chinese medicine centre are classified under their respective activity codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed traditional Chinese medicine centre, you are in. If you are running a hospital, a general practice, or an unlicensed wellness service, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your facility, clinical or operational model, staffing, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
