Office space for rent in Oud Metha comes in more shapes than most people expect. You could lease a bare unit in a commercial tower or take a serviced executive office. You could also rent a flexi desk, or set up inside the Dubai Healthcare City free zone. This guide sets out the pros and cons of each, then gives you a checklist to use before you sign.
Key takeaways
- There are five main routes: a traditional lease, a serviced office, a flexi desk, a free zone office in Dubai Healthcare City or a virtual office.
- Traditional leases give you the most control but need the most upfront cash and time.
- Serviced offices and flexi desks are the quickest way in, and many packages include Ejari.
- Offices inside Dubai Healthcare City require a licence from the free zone’s own authority, so they suit healthcare-focused companies.
- Before you sign, check Ejari, visa quota, parking, hidden costs and whether the space fits your licence.
In this guide
- What makes Oud Metha a good business location?
- What are your options for office space for rent in Oud Metha?
- How do the options compare?
- What should you check before you sign?
- Where does Arabian Group fit?
- How do you rent a serviced office with us?
- Frequently asked questions
What makes Oud Metha a good business location?
Oud Metha is an established district just south of Bur Dubai, with Wafi City and Raffles Dubai close by. For many firms, the appeal is simple. It is central, easy to reach and right beside one of the city’s biggest healthcare clusters.
Getting around by metro and road
The Green Line does most of the work here. The RTA metro station map shows three stations in a row through the area. They are Oud Metha (G27), Dubai Healthcare City (G28) and Al Jadaf (G29). BurJuman (G26) lies just to the north and links to the Red Line, so staff from Downtown or Dubai Marina change only once.
By road, Sheikh Rashid Road and Oud Metha Road are the main routes through the district. Sheikh Zayed Road is easy to reach, and Dubai International Airport is a short drive away when traffic allows.
Next door to Dubai Healthcare City
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) was set up in 2002 as a healthcare free zone. Its website lists ten hospitals and 168 clinical facilities. According to the DHCC client handbook, Phase 1 covers 4.1 million square feet in Oud Metha. Phase 2 extends into Al Jaddaf, along Dubai Creek.
That cluster draws a steady stream of suppliers, consultants, recruiters and service firms. If your clients work in healthcare, being within walking distance of them matters.
What are your options for office space for rent in Oud Metha?
Each route below suits a different stage of business. The right one depends on your budget, your licence and how soon you need to start work.
1. A traditional lease in a commercial tower
This is the classic route. You rent a unit from a landlord, directly or through a broker. Then you register the tenancy with Ejari and connect electricity and water with DEWA. Units may be shell and core or already fitted, and leases are commonly agreed for a year at a time.
The upside is control. You choose the layout, the branding and the neighbours, and a larger unit can support a bigger visa quota. The catch is the upfront cost: rent cheques, a security deposit, a DEWA deposit, any agency commission and the fit-out itself. For non-residential premises, DEWA’s move-in page says the deposit is calculated on the premises’ consumption, so ask for the figure early.
Best for: established companies with a stable team and a long-term plan.
2. A serviced or executive office
A serviced office is a private, furnished room inside a managed business centre. Reception, internet, cleaning, utilities and meeting rooms are bundled into one fee, and you can usually move in within days.
You give up some control over layout and branding, and the cost per square foot is often higher than a bare lease. In return, you avoid fit-out, utility set-up and most of the upfront cash. Shorter terms also make it easier to grow or shrink.
Best for: small and growing teams, regional branches and firms that want a polished client-facing address quickly.
3. Coworking and flexi desks
Coworking gives you a desk in a shared space, either the same desk each day or whichever is free. It is the cheapest way to get a professional base with a reception and meeting rooms.
Privacy is limited, and not every flexi desk package comes with Ejari. If you need one for your trade licence, confirm it in writing before you pay.
Best for: freelancers, consultants and new companies keeping costs low.
4. A Dubai Healthcare City free zone office
Inside the free zone, DHCC offers desk space, prebuilt units and land, and private developers also own buildings there. The handbook lists Ibn Sina and the Al Razi Medical Complex among the DHCC-owned buildings. Al Razi alone houses more than 90 specialised clinics.
The rules are different here. DHCA Rule No. 1 says no one may do business in the free zone without a licence from the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. Your activity must also be on its approved list. Renewing the licence requires a valid lease and Ejari, and clinical facilities must hold operating permits before they open.
Best for: clinics, hospitals and healthcare-related companies with an activity on DHCA’s approved list.
5. A virtual office
A virtual office gives you a business address, mail handling and sometimes a phone line, with no desk. It is the lightest and cheapest option. On its own, though, it may not satisfy the premises rules for a trade licence or support visas. Check with your licensing authority first.
Best for: companies testing the market or working remotely that need a Dubai address.
How do the options compare?
This table compares the options at a glance. Costs are shown as relative levels, because real prices depend on the building, size and terms.
| Option | Setup time | Upfront cost | Flexibility | Ejari | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional lease | Weeks to months, with fit-out | High | Low | Yes, registered for the unit | Established firms with long-term plans |
| Serviced or executive office | Days | Low to medium | High | Often included; check the package | Small teams that want to start quickly |
| Coworking or flexi desk | Same day to a few days | Low | Very high | Depends on the package | Freelancers and early-stage companies |
| DHCC free zone office | Weeks, after licence approval | Medium to high | Low to medium | Needed for licence renewal | Healthcare entities licensed by DHCA |
| Virtual office | Days | Lowest | Very high | Not usually; check first | Remote teams wanting a Dubai address |
What should you check before you sign?
Whichever route you choose, a short checklist saves expensive surprises later.
- Ejari eligibility: confirm the space can be registered with Ejari and that the registration will satisfy your licensing authority.
- Visa quota: the number of visas you can sponsor is linked to your premises. Ask what the space supports before you commit.
- Licence compatibility: make sure your licensed activity is allowed in the building, especially for anything medical.
- Parking: ask how many bays come with the unit and what visitors do.
- The metro walk: time the walk from the station yourself, ideally in the afternoon heat.
- Contract terms: check the length, notice period, renewal terms and any break clause.
- Hidden costs: ask about the DEWA deposit, cooling or chiller charges, service charges and the agency fee.
Before a renewal, the DLD Rental Index lets you check the average rent for the area and the permitted increase. Using a broker? The Dubai Land Department’s Dubai REST app lists registered brokers, so you can check yours quickly.
Where does Arabian Group fit?
We run two serviced business centres in the Citibank Building on Sheikh Rashid Road, opposite Raffles Dubai and Wafi Mall. The nearest metro stop is Dubai Healthcare City (G28), roughly 450 m away, or about a five-minute walk. Oud Metha station (G27) is further off, at around 1.9 km.
Royal Palm Business Center
Royal Palm Business Center is on the 13th floor, with views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek and the skyline. It focuses on executive offices with a dedicated receptionist, which suits firms that host clients often.
Arabian Sky Business Center
Arabian Sky Business Center is on the 9th floor of the same building. It offers private offices, coworking, flexi desks and virtual offices, so a team can start small and move up without changing address.
Every office is furnished and comes with reception, internet, DEWA and air conditioning, with meeting rooms on hand. Lease preparation and Ejari registration support are part of our office space rental service. For lighter needs, our flexi desk packages cost less. Terms run from 3 to 36 months, and you can upgrade or downgrade as your team changes.
More than a desk
Workspace is only part of getting started in Dubai. Our in-house teams also handle company formation, visas, PRO services, accounting and tax. That means one contact can cover the licence, the lease and the paperwork that follows. If you later want a second location, we also run business centres in Bur Dubai, BurJuman, Business Bay and Dubai Investment Park.
To be clear about the limits, our centres are not clinical space, and they are not inside the DHCC free zone. If you plan to see patients or require a DHCA licence, a DHCC unit is the right route. For administration, sales, consulting or a back office, our centres are a practical fit. If you are starting from scratch, our business setup packages combine the licence with the workspace.
How do you rent a serviced office with us?
The process is short, and we handle most of the paperwork. Most of the time goes into choosing the right office, not into admin.
- Share your requirements: team size, office type, start date and whether you need Ejari.
- Get a quote: we suggest suitable options at Royal Palm or Arabian Sky.
- Visit: see the offices and facilities before you decide.
- Sign: we prepare the agreement and support the Ejari registration.
- Move in: your office is furnished and ready to use.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get an office in Oud Metha?
A virtual office or flexi desk has the lowest upfront cost. Check that it meets your licence and visa requirements before you decide on price alone.
Can I get Ejari for a serviced office or flexi desk?
Often, yes. Many serviced office packages include Ejari, while flexi desks vary by package. Ask the provider to confirm this in writing.
Do I need a DHCC licence to rent an office in Healthcare City?
Yes, if the office is inside the free zone. DHCA rules say no one may do business there without a DHCA licence. Offices elsewhere in Oud Metha, outside the free zone, are used with mainland licences instead.
How long are office contracts in Dubai?
Traditional leases are commonly agreed for a year at a time and registered with Ejari. Serviced offices tend to be more flexible. Ours run from 3 to 36 months.
How can I check whether a rent increase is fair?
Use the Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index. It shows the average rent for the area and the increase permitted at renewal.
Which metro station serves Oud Metha offices?
It depends on the building. The Green Line has three stops in the area: Oud Metha (G27), Dubai Healthcare City (G28) and Al Jadaf (G29). Our centres in the Citibank Building, opposite Wafi, are closest to Dubai Healthcare City station, about 450 m away.
Can I run a clinic from a business centre office?
No. Business centre offices are not set up as clinical space. For patient care, you need a licensed facility, such as a unit inside Dubai Healthcare City.
Weighing up a serviced office in Oud Metha?
Visit Royal Palm or Arabian Sky and compare them with your other options in person. Contact our workspace team with your team size and preferred start date, and we will send you suitable options.
About the author: Written by the Arabian Group workspace team. We run business centres in Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, BurJuman, Business Bay and Dubai Investment Park. We also help companies with Ejari, business setup and PRO services. Facts in this guide were checked against official RTA, DHCC, DEWA and Dubai Land Department sources.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
