Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 7810.99 and what does it permit in Dubai
Activity code 7810.99 is the designated trade licence category for Medical Manpower Supply in Dubai. It permits the supply, placement, and secondment of healthcare professionals to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic facilities.
The scope is broad and covers doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health staff, laboratory technicians, and administrative medical personnel — all under a single licence. Business models including contract staffing, permanent placement, and temporary cover arrangements are all permissible under this one activity code.
Do I need approvals beyond a trade licence to operate a medical staffing agency in Dubai
Yes. The business sits under a dual regulatory layer. You must obtain a trade licence from either the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) for mainland operations or a relevant free zone authority, and a separate manpower supply permit from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).
One approval does not substitute for the other — both are legally required before you can begin placing healthcare professionals. If you intend to operate across multiple emirates, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) approval at the federal level may also be necessary.
What is the DHA licensing requirement for placed healthcare staff
Every healthcare professional your agency places in Dubai must hold a valid Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licence before commencing work — this is mandatory without exception.
Verifying candidate credentials prior to placement is your agency's legal responsibility. Failure to do so exposes your business to client penalties and direct regulatory action from the DHA. Building a robust credential-verification process into your operations from day one is essential, not optional.
Can a foreign national own 100% of a medical manpower supply company in Dubai
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is permitted under UAE Federal Law No. 26 of 2020, which opened a wide range of business activities — including manpower supply — to full foreign ownership on the mainland.
Free zone structures have historically allowed 100% foreign ownership as well. Both mainland and free zone setups are therefore viable options, and the right choice depends on your target client base and preferred operational model rather than ownership restrictions.
What are the key differences between a mainland DED licence and a free zone licence for this business
A mainland DED licence provides the broadest client access, with no geographic restrictions on operating across the UAE. It requires an Ejari-registered tenancy contract and direct engagement with the DED and MOHRE.
A free zone licence — for example through Meydan Free Zone — typically offers faster setup timelines and potential 0% corporate tax structuring benefits. However, free zone companies may face limitations when contracting directly with mainland UAE clients without additional approvals. The best structure depends on your target client base and operational priorities.
Does VAT apply to medical manpower supply services in Dubai
Yes. 5% VAT applies to staffing and manpower supply services under UAE Federal Tax Authority rules. This applies to the fees your agency charges clients for placing or supplying healthcare professionals.
VAT registration becomes mandatory once your annual turnover reaches the AED 375,000 threshold. Given the high-margin nature of healthcare staffing, most agencies will reach this threshold quickly and should plan for VAT compliance — including invoicing, filing, and record-keeping — from the outset.
How do Emiratisation (Nafis) quotas affect a medical manpower supply business
Emiratisation quotas under the Nafis programme apply once your agency's headcount crosses defined thresholds set by MOHRE. These quotas require businesses to employ a certain proportion of UAE nationals within their workforce.
Enforcement has tightened considerably in recent years, and non-compliance carries financial penalties. It is important to factor the associated costs and HR administration into your business model from day one rather than treating it as an afterthought as your team grows.
What are the core steps to obtain a Medical Manpower Supply licence in Dubai
The process begins with choosing your jurisdiction — mainland DED or a free zone — based on your target clients and operational model. You then reserve a trade name and confirm that activity code 7810.99 is approved for your chosen jurisdiction before proceeding further.
Next, you apply for initial approval from the DED or free zone authority, submitting your memorandum of association, shareholder documents, and office lease agreement. Mainland applicants require an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Following initial approval, you must obtain the MOHRE manpower supply permit — a separate and mandatory step before any placements can legally be made.
Start a Medical Manpower Supply Business in Dubai
Dubai's healthcare sector is expanding at pace — hospital networks, clinics, and diagnostic centres all depend on a steady pipeline of licensed medical professionals, and the business of supplying that talent is a regulated, high-margin opportunity. This guide covers what the Medical Manpower Supply licence (activity code 7810.99) covers, what regulatory approvals you need, how to structure the business, and how to get licensed efficiently in Dubai.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Market growth trajectory | UAE healthcare staffing market projected to grow steadily through 2028, driven by Vision 2031 health infrastructure targets — IMARC Group |
| DHA licensing requirement | Every healthcare professional placed in Dubai must hold a valid Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licence — mandatory without exception |
| Employment regulation | MOHRE governs all manpower supply agreements and employment contracts across the UAE |
| Foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership permitted under UAE Federal Law No. 26 of 2020 — mainland and free zone structures both viable |
| VAT | 5% VAT applies to staffing and manpower supply services; registration threshold AED 375,000 annual turnover — Federal Tax Authority |
What This Business Activity Covers
Activity code 7810.99 permits the supply, placement, and secondment of medical and healthcare professionals to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic facilities. The scope is broad: doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health staff, laboratory technicians, and administrative medical personnel all fall within this single licence category.
The business model is flexible. You can operate on contract staffing, permanent placement, or temporary cover arrangements — all are permissible under one licence. Clients are typically private hospitals, polyclinics, home healthcare providers, and licensed medical centres operating across Dubai and the wider UAE.
This is not a niche activity. Healthcare operators in Dubai face persistent recruitment pressure, and a compliant, well-run staffing agency with verified candidate pools commands strong commercial leverage.
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Explore Over 2,500+Regulatory Framework and Approvals
This business sits under a dual regulatory layer. You need a trade licence from either the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) for mainland operations or a free zone authority, and separately, a manpower supply permit from MOHRE. Both are required — one does not substitute for the other.
Every healthcare professional your agency places must hold a valid DHA licence before commencing work in Dubai. Verifying credentials prior to placement is your agency's legal responsibility. A lapse here exposes you to client penalties and regulatory action.
If your agency places staff outside Dubai — in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or other emirates — Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) approval may also be required at the federal level. Plan for this if you intend to operate UAE-wide from the outset.
Emiratisation (Nafis) quotas apply once your headcount crosses defined thresholds. Factor the associated cost and HR administration into your model from day one — it is not optional and enforcement has tightened considerably.
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Calculate NowStep-by-Step Licence Setup Guide
Step 1 — Choose your jurisdiction. A mainland DED licence gives the broadest client access across the UAE with no geographic restrictions. A free zone structure, such as Meydan Free Zone, offers faster setup timelines and 0% corporate tax structuring benefits. Both are viable; the right choice depends on your target client base and operational model.
Step 2 — Reserve your trade name and confirm that activity code 7810.99 is approved for your chosen jurisdiction before proceeding.
Step 3 — Apply for initial approval from DED or your free zone authority. Submit your memorandum of association, shareholder documents, and office lease agreement. Mainland applicants require an Ejari-registered tenancy contract.
Step 4 — Obtain the MOHRE manpower supply licence. This requires a physical office, evidence of minimum share capital, and a clean compliance record. MOHRE will not issue this permit to entities with outstanding labour violations.
Step 5 — Register with the DHA as a healthcare staffing entity. This enables your agency to formally participate in the professional credential verification process for candidates you intend to place.
Step 6 — Register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority once your annual turnover approaches AED 375,000. Manpower supply services are taxable at 5%.
Step 7 — Open a corporate bank account. Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance is mandatory from your first payroll cycle. Ensure your banking setup supports WPS file submissions before you place your first candidate.
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Get Your LicenseCommercial Structure and Ongoing Compliance
The two primary revenue models are a one-off placement fee or a margin applied to the contractor's day rate. The day-rate margin model generates recurring revenue and scales more predictably — most mature staffing businesses in Dubai operate this way for the bulk of their income.
Maintain a compliant employment contract template aligned with UAE Labour Law for all placed staff. Contracts must reflect actual terms, and any variation requires MOHRE notification. Shortcuts here accumulate risk quickly.
Track DHA licence renewals per individual candidate. Licences are issued to the professional, not the agency — but your clients will hold you accountable for lapses, and MOHRE sanctions can follow. Build a renewal tracking system before your candidate pool grows beyond a handful of placements.
Annual renewal applies to both your trade licence and your MOHRE manpower supply permit — these are on separate cycles and must be managed independently. WPS failures attract immediate fines; at scale, payroll compliance is as operationally critical as business development.
Conclusion
Medical manpower supply in Dubai is a well-defined, regulated business with strong demand fundamentals — but it requires layered approvals from MOHRE, DHA, and either DED or a free zone authority. Get the structure right from the outset: jurisdiction choice, MOHRE permit, and DHA compliance are the three pillars everything else rests on. Speak to the Meydan Free Zone team to confirm the fastest, most cost-efficient setup path for your medical staffing business.
References
- IMARC Group (imarcgroup.com)
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA) (dha.gov.ae)
- MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae)
- Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae)
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) (mohap.gov.ae)
