Steps for obtaining a hospital license in the absence of an existing building

  • If the investor is not Saudi, this is the first step.
  • Apply to the General Investment Authority (now part of the Ministry of Investment) for a license that allows a foreign investor to own or establish a company in Saudi Arabia, which paves the way for subsequent steps.
  • The company or establishment is commercially registered with the Ministry of Commerce.
  • The commercial register must include the activity "hospital." This register serves as the legal identity of the project.
Registration is done with the relevant government agencies such as:
  • Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: To be able to employ workers.
  • General Organization for Social Insurance: To register Saudi employees.
  • Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority: To meet tax obligations.
  • A contract is signed with a Saudi engineering office accredited by the Ministry of Health.
  • This office is responsible for preparing the hospital's engineering plans in line with the specified health and technical standards.
  • Submit an application to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to determine the proposed location for the hospital.
  • This step aims to ensure that the site is suitable and meets all urban requirements for hospital operations (such as land area, surrounding streets, and infrastructure services).
  • After the site is approved, an application is submitted to the Ministry of Health for initial approval.
  • This approval confirms that the project is acceptable in principle and allows you to begin the next steps that require significant investments.
  • The engineering office submits the final plans for the hospital to the Ministry of Health.
  • The Ministry reviews the plans to ensure they meet all required health standards, such as the layout of sections, ventilation systems, emergency routes, and elevator locations. After approval, construction can begin.
  • After the plans are approved by the Ministry of Health, they are submitted to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
  • The municipality will grant you a building permit that allows you to begin actual construction work on the hospital on the land.
  • The National Water Company and the Saudi Electricity Company are being contacted to provide essential services to the building.
  • This step is necessary for the construction work and for the subsequent operation of the hospital.
  • After construction work is completed, you will be asked to issue an occupancy certificate from the municipality.
  • This certificate confirms that the building is complete and fit for use.
  • Submit a request to the General Directorate of Civil Defense to conduct an inspection of the building.
  • A Civil Defense team inspects safety systems, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. After verifying the building's safety, a safety certificate is issued.
  • The activity license is obtained from the municipality after fulfilling all requirements.
  • The safety license is issued by the Civil Defense after a field inspection.
  • An application is submitted to the Ministry of Health to obtain endorsement (approval) for work visas for non-Saudi medical and administrative personnel.
  • This endorsement is essential for the next step.
  • After obtaining approval from the Ministry of Health, applications are submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to obtain actual work visas for the staff.
  • A licensed security guard company is contracted to ensure the hospital's security and safety around the clock.
  • After completing all the previous stages (ready facility, qualified personnel, and equipment), the final licensing application is submitted through the "Seha" platform.
  • A team from the Ministry of Health and a team from the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) are sent to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the hospital.
  • Everything is checked: departments, rooms, procedures, infection control systems, and the record system.
  • All medical equipment is inspected to ensure it is licensed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and is operating efficiently.
  • After all conditions are met and all inspection stages are passed, the final license is issued to the hospital.
  • Now, the hospital is allowed to open its doors and provide services to patients legally and officially.