New facilities

Clinic & Hospital Setup Consulting in Saudi Arabia

We build the Saudi setup plan in the right order: investor route (MISA registration where foreign capital is involved), commercial registration, site selection against MOH space and zoning requirements, initial approval on Seha, fit-out and final licence. We also plan Saudisation requirements for administrative roles early, because they shape the staffing budget from day one.

The rules of the ground

Who regulates and pays in Saudi Arabia

Private sector employers must insure their Saudi and expatriate employees and dependants under the CHI mandatory policy, so insured patients form the core of private provider revenue. Claims, eligibility checks and prior authorisations are exchanged through NPHIES, the national platform, and payment depends on clean electronic submission using CHI coding standards. Insurers themselves are now licensed by the Insurance Authority, while CHI keeps the policy and exchange rules. Network contracts, tariffs and approval rules are negotiated insurer by insurer, and the largest payers dominate the market.

Ministry of Health (MOH)

Licenses private hospitals, medical complexes, clinics and pharmacies, sets facility standards and inspects compliance, with applications handled electronically through the Seha platform.

Council of Health Insurance (CHI)

Regulates the mandatory private health insurance system, the unified policy and coding standards, and runs NPHIES together with the national health information bodies.

Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)

Verifies credentials through DataFlow, grants professional classification and registration via Mumaris Plus, and sets the licensing exams every practitioner must clear before practising.

Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)

Issues Medical Device Marketing Authorisation (MDMA) and establishment licences for importers and distributors, and oversees device safety, recalls and vigilance.

Ministry of Investment (MISA)

Registers foreign investors under the Investment Law, the first step before a foreign-owned company can obtain its commercial registration and sector licences.

Scope

What we deliver in Saudi Arabia

01

Feasibility and business case

Market and catchment review, specialty mix, competitor mapping, payer landscape, capital and operating cost estimates and a phased revenue model, so you decide on evidence before signing a lease.

02

Site selection and space planning

Assessment of candidate premises for zoning, access, parking and services, and a functional brief for your designer aligned with the regulator's facility design guidelines, such as the DHA Health Facility Guidelines.

03

Licensing roadmap and submissions

A step-by-step licensing plan covering initial approval, design review, inspection and activation with the relevant authority, plus coordination of trade licence, civil defence and municipality requirements.

04

Staffing plan and practitioner licensing

An opening organisation chart, job descriptions and recruitment timeline, with support for practitioner licensing through DHA Sheryan, DoH, MOHAP, SCFHS or the relevant authority for each hire.

05

Systems and equipment readiness

EMR and practice management selection that meets NABIDH, Malaffi or Riayati integration requirements where they apply, plus an equipment list and procurement plan tied to your services and budget.

06

Launch and first 90 days

SOPs, policies, front-office scripts, insurance readiness and a soft-opening plan, followed by a 90-day review of volumes, claims and patient feedback to correct course early.

Process

How the work runs

  1. Concept and feasibility

    We test the idea against the market, the regulator's requirements and your budget, and agree the service scope and facility type to license.

  2. Design and approvals

    The functional brief guides your designer; we review drawings against facility guidelines and coordinate initial approval and design review submissions.

  3. Build, hire and equip

    Fit-out, recruitment, practitioner licensing, equipment delivery and systems setup run in parallel on one integrated timeline, with weekly tracking of every dependency.

  4. Inspection and activation

    A mock inspection, final document checks and coordination of the regulator's inspection lead to licence activation and permission to receive patients.

  5. Open and stabilise

    We support the soft opening, insurance go-live and the first 90 days of operations, adjusting workflows until daily routines are stable.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign investor own 100% of a private clinic or hospital in Saudi Arabia?
Healthcare is open to full foreign ownership for most activities, subject to registration with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and licensing by the Ministry of Health. The practical conditions (capital, premises, professional staffing and Saudisation) vary by facility type. We confirm the current requirements for your specific model before you commit to premises or staff.
What does a healthcare consultancy in Saudi Arabia actually do for a new facility?
A healthcare consultancy in Saudi Arabia plans the regulatory route, prepares licensing files for MOH through Seha, coordinates SCFHS registrations for clinicians, checks SFDA status of equipment and prepares NPHIES and insurer readiness. Tulazai Health manages that process on your behalf. We do not issue licences or guarantee approvals, which remain with the authorities.
Is NPHIES mandatory for private providers?
Yes, for insured activity. Eligibility checks, prior authorisations and claims for patients under private health insurance are exchanged through NPHIES, and claims that are not submitted through the platform are not reimbursed. Providers need a compatible system, correct coding to CHI standards and trained staff before they start seeing insured patients.
How long does it take to license a clinic in Saudi Arabia?
Timelines depend on the facility type, the city, the readiness of the premises and how complete the file is. Delays usually come from site issues, missing documents or clinician registrations that are not ready. We give a realistic plan after reviewing your model and location, rather than a fixed promise, and track every step to keep it moving.
How long does clinic setup take in Dubai?
Much depends on premises, fit-out and recruitment. The DHA facility licensing steps themselves can take from about one month to several months, and practitioner licensing runs in parallel. A typical outpatient clinic project, from signed premises to opening, often spans six to nine months. We build a realistic timeline for your specific project at the feasibility stage.
Which authority licenses my clinic in the UAE?
It depends on location. Facilities in Dubai are licensed by DHA through its Sheryan system, facilities in Dubai Healthcare City by DHCR, those in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra by DoH Abu Dhabi, and those in the northern emirates by MOHAP. Each has its own design guidelines, inspection standards and activation requirements, which is why location decisions should come before design.

Complimentary 30-minute call

Talk it through with Dr. Neeraj.

Tell us where your facility is today and where you want it to be. You leave the call with a clear next step.