Unani Clinic License Cost in Dubai: DHA Fees & Requirements 2026
Dubai’s expanding healthcare sector is creating opportunities for investors and qualified practitioners interested in traditional and complementary medicine.
One such opportunity is establishing an Unani Clinic in Dubai.
However, Unani medicine is a regulated healthcare activity. A clinic cannot provide Unani healthcare services solely under a standard commercial or wellness licence. Both the healthcare facility and professionals treating patients must satisfy the applicable Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requirements.
DHA officially lists Unani under the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) facility category. A TCAM Centre is an outpatient healthcare facility authorised to provide one or more approved traditional and complementary medicine specialties.
This guide explains the Unani Clinic license cost in Dubai in 2026, including DHA facility fees, BUMS/BEMS practitioner requirements, documents, inspection, licensing steps and other costs investors should consider.
How Much Does a Unani Clinic License Cost in Dubai?
A clinic providing Unani as its only healthcare specialty would generally fall under:
TCAM Facility – 1 Specialty
DHA’s official facility fee schedule currently lists the following fees:
| DHA Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| New Facility License / Initial Approval | AED 1,000 |
| Amend Inactive Facility License | AED 500 |
| DHA Inspection | AED 2,000 |
| DHA Re-Inspection | AED 1,000 |
| 1-Year Active Facility License | AED 5,000 |
| 2-Year Active Facility License | AED 8,750 |
| 3-Year Active Facility License | AED 12,500 |
For a straightforward one-specialty Unani Centre taking a one-year licence, the main DHA facility charges can therefore total approximately:
AED 8,000
This consists of:
AED 1,000 initial approval + AED 2,000 inspection + AED 5,000 one-year facility licence.
These are the core DHA facility charges for a one-specialty TCAM facility.
The amount does not include commercial licensing, professional licensing, clinic rent, engineering design, fit-out, equipment, staff visas, insurance, EMR software or working capital.
DHA Unani Clinic Licence Fees for 1, 2 and 3 Years
For a one-specialty TCAM facility, DHA currently lists:
1-Year Licence
AED 5,000
2-Year Licence
AED 8,750
3-Year Licence
AED 12,500
The inspection fee is currently AED 2,000, while re-inspection costs AED 1,000.
Knowledge and Innovation fees may also be applied during checkout through Sheryan.
What If the Unani Clinic Offers More Than One TCAM Specialty?
Some investors may want to combine Unani medicine with additional services such as:
- Hijama
- Ayurveda
- Naturopathy
- Homeopathy
- Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
If the facility provides two or more TCAM specialties, DHA applies the multi-specialty TCAM fee category.
Current fees for a TCAM Facility – 2 Specialties or More include:
| DHA Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial Approval | AED 1,000 |
| Inspection | AED 2,000 |
| Re-Inspection | AED 1,000 |
| 1-Year Facility Licence | AED 10,000 |
| 2-Year Facility Licence | AED 17,500 |
| 3-Year Facility Licence | AED 25,000 |
For example:
Unani only → TCAM 1 Specialty
Unani + Hijama → potentially TCAM 2 Specialties or More
The proposed activities should be clearly defined before the application is submitted.
Is Unani Medicine Regulated by DHA in Dubai?
Yes.
DHA’s current Manual for Licensing Health Facilities specifically lists Unani among the healthcare services permitted within a TCAM Centre.
The recognised TCAM specialties include:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
- Naturopathy
- Homeopathy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Traditional Korean Medicine
- Herbal/Oriental Medicine
- Unani
- Hijama
This means Unani healthcare should be provided through an appropriately licensed healthcare facility with qualified licensed professionals.
DHA Requirements to Open a Unani Clinic in Dubai
The main requirements generally include:
- Correct TCAM facility classification
- Suitable healthcare premises
- Engineering layout
- Facility proposal
- DHA New Facility License
- Valid trade licence
- Healthcare-compliant clinic fit-out
- DHA-licensed Unani Practitioner
- Required healthcare professionals
- Medical Director
- Electronic Medical Record system
- NABIDH compliance
- DHA inspection
- Active healthcare facility licence
DHA’s current facility licensing sequence is:
New Facility License → Activate Facility License → Pass Inspection
The New Facility License is issued initially as an inactive licence and must later be activated before operations begin.
Documents Required for a Unani Clinic License in Dubai
For a New Facility License application, DHA currently requires documents including:
- Valid passport copies of owners or partners
- Emirates ID copies, if applicable
- Engineering layout from an engineering/design company
- Facility proposal
- Trade licence, if already available
DHA states that obtaining a trade licence before applying for the New Facility License is optional.
However, a valid trade licence is required when applying to activate the healthcare facility licence.
Engineering Layout Requirements for a Unani Clinic
An engineering layout is required for the New Facility License application.
DHA describes the layout as a schematic drawing showing the dimensions of rooms and areas in square metres and identifying each space according to the proposed healthcare services.
Depending on the clinic’s approved scope, areas may include:
- Reception
- Patient waiting area
- Consultation room
- Examination/treatment room
- Clinical storage
- Staff area
- Administrative space
- Hand-hygiene facilities
- Patient-accessible facilities
- Appropriate circulation areas
Premises should therefore be evaluated for healthcare suitability before major lease or fit-out commitments are made.
DHA License Requirements for a Unani Practitioner
The facility licence and the professional licence are separate.
An investor who owns a Unani Clinic does not automatically obtain permission to treat patients.
DHA’s current Professional Qualification Requirements recognise the professional title:
Unani Practitioner
The recognised qualifications include:
BUMS – Bachelor in Unani Medicine and Surgery
BEMS – Bachelor in Eastern Medicine and Surgery
DHA also recognises Diploma Frazil utTibbWalJarahat or an equivalent qualification with a minimum of four years of full-time study including supervised clinical practicum.
Is BUMS Accepted for DHA License in Dubai?
Yes.
DHA’s current PQR specifically lists BUMS – Bachelor in Unani Medicine and Surgery as a recognised qualification for the title of Unani Practitioner.
For this pathway, DHA currently requires:
2 years of post-qualification experience in the related field
A BUMS graduate planning to work in Dubai should therefore ensure that both the academic qualification and professional experience satisfy DHA’s current requirements.
Is BEMS Accepted for DHA Licensing?
Yes.
BEMS – Bachelor in Eastern Medicine and Surgery is also specifically listed by DHA as an accepted qualification pathway for a Unani Practitioner.
The current professional experience requirement is:
2 years post qualification in the related field
Applicants should verify that their degree was awarded by a recognised institution and meets the applicable educational accreditation requirements.
Can a Physician Practise Unani Medicine in Dubai?
DHA also recognises a pathway for physicians privileged to practise Unani medicine.
The current PQR refers to an accredited Unani Medicine training programme of:
- Two years full-time, or equivalent part-time study
- Minimum total of approximately 1,500 hours of theory and practical training
- Followed by approximately 750 hours of supervised training in a hospital or recognised medical centre
The current experience requirement is two years post qualification in the related field.
The practitioner’s exact background should be assessed through DHA’s professional licensing process.
General DHA Professional Qualification Rules
DHA requires healthcare qualifications to come from recognised and accredited institutions.
The current PQR states that qualifications are evaluated based on factors such as:
- Recognition of the institution
- Accreditation
- Duration of study
- Course content
- Clinical training
- Practical experience
- Relevance of postgraduate qualifications
Distance-learning or purely correspondence qualifications generally do not count toward PQR requirements.
Applicants can also use DHA’s Self-Assessment Tool to obtain an initial evaluation of their eligibility.
Medical Director Requirement
Before an inactive healthcare facility licence can be activated, DHA currently requires the facility to:
- Add and activate professional licences under the facility
- Select a Medical Director
- Hold a valid trade licence
DHA then coordinates the facility inspection.
Facilities that successfully pass the final inspection receive an active healthcare facility licence.
EMR and NABIDH Requirements
A Unani Clinic should also budget for healthcare information technology.
DHA’s New Facility License service requires facilities to obtain an Electronic Medical Record system compliant with the NABIDH Minimum Data Set and NABIDH standards.
The cost varies depending on factors such as:
- EMR provider
- Number of users
- Patient volume
- Appointment functionality
- Clinical documentation
- Integrations
- IT hardware
- Support services
These costs are separate from the basic DHA facility licence fee.
Step-by-Step Process to Get a Unani Clinic License in Dubai
Step 1: Define the Healthcare Services
Decide whether the facility will provide Unani only or additional TCAM specialties such as Hijama or Ayurveda.
Step 2: Confirm the TCAM Facility Classification
A Unani-only clinic would generally fall into the TCAM 1-Specialty category.
Step 3: Select Suitable Premises
Choose premises capable of meeting healthcare layout and facility requirements.
Step 4: Prepare the Engineering Layout
Engage an appropriate engineering/design company to prepare the clinic layout.
Step 5: Prepare the Facility Proposal
Describe the planned healthcare services, clinic structure and proposed activities.
Step 6: Apply for DHA New Facility License
Applications are submitted through Sheryan.
DHA currently lists an average processing time of approximately:
5 working days
for the New Facility License service.
Approved applications receive an inactive facility licence.
Step 7: Complete Commercial Licensing
Obtain the appropriate commercial/trade licence for the approved healthcare activity.
Step 8: Complete the Clinic Fit-Out
Develop the premises according to the approved healthcare layout.
Step 9: License the Unani Practitioner
Ensure the practitioner meets the applicable BUMS, BEMS or alternative qualification pathway and professional licensing requirements.
Step 10: Implement EMR/NABIDH Requirements
Install an appropriate electronic medical record system.
Step 11: Select the Medical Director
Assign the appropriate Medical Director through the facility account.
Step 12: Apply to Activate the Facility Licence
The activation service currently lists an average processing time of:
1 working day
although inspection scheduling and other practical stages may add additional time.
Step 13: Pass DHA Inspection
DHA coordinates the facility inspection.
If the facility passes, an active healthcare licence is issued. If the facility fails, a new inspection must be scheduled and the applicable re-inspection fee paid.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Unani Clinic License in Dubai?
DHA currently lists:
New Facility License: approximately 5 working days
Activate Facility License: approximately 1 working day
However, these are DHA service-processing times rather than the complete clinic-opening timeline.
The full process can also include:
- Location selection
- Lease negotiations
- Engineering design
- Commercial licensing
- Construction and fit-out
- Professional licensing
- Recruitment
- EMR setup
- Inspection
- Corrective work, if required
The complete project will therefore usually take longer.
What Is the Total Cost to Open a Unani Clinic in Dubai?
The DHA facility licence fee is only one part of the complete investment.
Your overall Unani Clinic budget can include:
- DHA initial approval
- DHA active facility licence
- DHA inspection
- Commercial licence
- Clinic rent
- Security deposit
- Healthcare design consultant
- Engineering drawings
- Fit-out
- Furniture
- Clinical equipment
- IT equipment
- EMR/NABIDH system
- Professional licensing
- Employee visas
- Professional malpractice insurance
- Staff salaries
- Marketing
- Working capital
Therefore, Unani Clinic License Cost Dubai and total Unani Clinic Setup Cost Dubai should be treated as separate calculations.
Unani + Hijama Clinic Setup in Dubai
Combining Unani Medicine with Hijama may provide a broader TCAM offering.
DHA officially lists both Unani and Hijama as TCAM specialties.
If both are approved as separate specialties under the facility, the clinic may fall under the TCAM 2-Specialties-or-More facility category.
DHA’s current one-year licence fee for this category is AED 10,000, compared with AED 5,000 for a single-specialty TCAM facility.
DHA also has separate professional qualification requirements for Hijama Therapists, and its current PQR states that Hijama clinical practice must be conducted in a healthcare facility.
Can an Indian BUMS Doctor Open a Unani Clinic in Dubai?
Potentially yes.
A BUMS-qualified practitioner may be eligible to pursue DHA professional licensing provided they satisfy the complete qualification and experience criteria.
The facility itself must separately satisfy DHA healthcare facility licensing and Dubai commercial licensing requirements.
Therefore, there are two different considerations:
1. Can the investor own/open the clinic?
and
2. Is the practitioner personally eligible to practise Unani?
These should be assessed separately.
FAQs – Unani Clinic License Dubai
How much does a Unani Clinic licence cost in Dubai?
For a one-specialty TCAM facility, DHA currently lists:
1 year – AED 5,000
2 years – AED 8,750
3 years – AED 12,500
Initial approval and inspection are additional.
What are the basic DHA fees for a Unani Clinic?
For a one-specialty centre taking a one-year licence:
Initial Approval – AED 1,000
Inspection – AED 2,000
Facility Licence – AED 5,000
The principal DHA facility fees therefore total approximately AED 8,000.
Does a Unani Clinic need DHA approval?
Yes. Unani is expressly listed by DHA as a regulated TCAM healthcare specialty.
Is BUMS accepted for DHA licensing?
Yes. BUMS – Bachelor in Unani Medicine and Surgery – is listed by DHA as a recognised qualification for a Unani Practitioner.
Is BEMS accepted by DHA?
Yes. DHA’s current PQR also recognises BEMS – Bachelor in Eastern Medicine and Surgery.
How much experience is required for a Unani Practitioner?
DHA currently requires two years of post-qualification experience in the related field for the listed Unani Practitioner qualification pathways.
Does a Unani Clinic require a Medical Director?
Yes. DHA currently requires selection of a Medical Director before the inactive facility licence can be activated.
Does the clinic need an EMR system?
Yes. DHA’s New Facility License service requires an EMR compliant with NABIDH Minimum Data Set and NABIDH standards.
Can Unani and Hijama be offered in the same centre?
Potentially yes, subject to DHA approval, the correct facility classification and appropriately qualified professionals. Both are recognised TCAM specialties.
How long does DHA initial approval take?
DHA currently lists approximately five working days for the New Facility License service. The complete clinic setup process will generally take longer because design, fit-out, professional licensing and inspection are separate stages.
Start Your Unani Clinic Setup in Dubai
Opening a Unani Clinic in Dubai requires careful coordination between DHA TCAM facility licensing, commercial registration, clinic design, BUMS/BEMS practitioner licensing, healthcare IT requirements and final inspection.
Defining the correct services and facility category from the beginning can help reduce expensive layout changes, licensing delays and unnecessary re-inspection.
If you are planning to establish a Unani Clinic or multi-specialty TCAM Centre in Dubai, professional healthcare business setup support can help coordinate the process from initial facility planning to final licensing and activation.