How to Start an Optical Business in Dubai: DHA Licence Guide (2026)
Short answer: To start an optical business in Dubai, you need two licences: a trade licence for the business from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and a health facility licence for the optical centre from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) through its Sheryan system. The DHA also requires a DHA-licensed dispensing optician or optometrist and a compliant eye-examination room, and the centre must pass an inspection before it opens. Shops that only sell sunglasses or repair spectacles have simpler requirements, so confirm your exact activity first.
What types of optical business can you open in Dubai?
| Business type | What it does | Main regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Optical centre | Eye examinations for refractive errors, and prescribing and dispensing spectacles and contact lenses | DHA facility licence, plus a DET trade licence |
| Optometry service in a clinic | Optometry inside an existing clinic or hospital | DHA (added to the facility) |
| Eyewear and sunglasses retail | Frames and sunglasses, with no eye examinations | DET trade licence. Confirm with DET whether a health approval is needed for your activity |
| Spectacles repair | Repairs and fittings | DET trade licence with a repair activity |
What does the DHA require for an optical centre?
The DHA’s Standards for Optical Centers and Optometry Services set the rules. They include:
- A DHA licence before providing any optometry services. The DHA licence must be displayed in the centre.
- A display area for frames, glasses and lenses.
- An eye-examination room with a minimum floor area of 7.5 square metres (smaller areas need justification and approval). The room must be darkened during examinations, give patients privacy, and have the chart placed at a set distance from the examination chair.
- A hand-washing station, a first-aid kit, clean and slip-resistant surfaces, and accessibility for people of determination.
- At least one DHA-licensed dispensing optician, or an optometrist with a valid DHA eligibility letter, plus enough qualified optometry staff for the opening hours.
- Written procedures for patient assessment, health records, data sharing and staff training, and fire safety measures that meet Dubai Civil Defence requirements.
- A pre-operational inspection by the DHA before the licence is activated.
Applications go through the DHA’s Sheryan licensing system.
How do I set up an optical centre step by step?
- Research the market: choose your niche, such as prescription eyewear, contact lenses, luxury frames or budget family eyewear. Then study competitors and footfall in your target area.
- Write a business plan: include the fit-out, equipment (refraction units, lensmeters, edging machines), stock, staffing and cash flow.
- Get initial approval and a trade name from DET for your activity.
- Find premises that can meet the DHA layout requirements, and register the lease on Ejari.
- Apply to the DHA through Sheryan for the facility licence, and license your optometry staff.
- Fit out and equip the centre, then request the DHA pre-operational inspection.
- Issue the trade licence, open supplier accounts for frames and lenses, and launch.
Fees and processing times change, so get current figures from DET and the DHA rather than relying on old estimates.
What equipment does an optical centre need?
The exact list depends on your services, but optical centres commonly invest in:
- Refraction and testing equipment for the examination room, such as a test chart, a trial lens set or phoropter, and an auto-refractor
- A lensmeter to read and check lens prescriptions
- Lens edging and fitting tools, if you cut and fit lenses in-house
- Frame display units, a sales counter and a point-of-sale system
- Patient record software that meets the DHA’s health record requirements
Buy from reputable suppliers that offer servicing in the UAE. The DHA inspection checks that the facility is ready to provide the services you applied for.
Should I buy an existing optical shop instead?
Buying a running optical shop can save the fit-out and licensing time and give you existing customers. But a DHA facility licence is tied to the facility and its staff, so any change of ownership must be handled with the DHA as well as DET. Check that the seller’s DHA licence is active and whether the licensed optician will stay. Optical and other healthcare businesses appear in the businesses for sale section of BusinessFinder.me. Our guide on how to buy a business in Dubai explains the due diligence.
Key takeaways
- An optical centre in Dubai needs a DET trade licence and a DHA facility licence through Sheryan.
- The DHA requires a licensed dispensing optician or optometrist, a compliant examination room and a pre-opening inspection.
- Eyewear-only retail and repair shops have simpler requirements. Confirm your activity with DET.
- If you buy an existing optical shop, the change of ownership must be approved by both the DHA and DET.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a DHA licence to open an optical shop in Dubai?
Yes, if you will provide eye examinations or optometry services. A standalone optical centre needs a DHA facility licence as well as a DET trade licence.
Who must work in a Dubai optical centre?
The DHA requires at least one DHA-licensed dispensing optician, or an optometrist with a valid DHA eligibility letter, plus enough licensed optometry staff for the opening hours.
How big must the eye examination room be?
DHA standards set a minimum floor area of 7.5 square metres for the eye examination room. Smaller rooms need justification and approval.
Can I open a sunglasses shop without a DHA licence?
A shop that only sells eyewear, without eye examinations, mainly needs a DET trade licence. Confirm with DET whether your exact activity needs a health approval.
Can I buy an existing optical business in Dubai?
Yes. Check that its DHA facility licence is active and the staff are licensed, and handle the ownership change with both the DHA and DET.
Last updated: 19 October 2026