Answer: No, they cannot.
According to Article 1, Article 4, and Article 5 of Federal Law No. 5 of 2019 on the Regulation of Medical Practice, any medical activity (including cosmetology) requires a license issued by the competent governmental authority in the UAE. A diploma or authorization issued outside the UAE does not in itself grant the right to practice, unless and until a local license has been obtained.
This was confirmed by the Federal Supreme Court in Criminal Appeal Case No. 911 of 2024, which concerned a woman providing cosmetic injection services without a license:
- the complainant found the “specialist” through Instagram and received filler injections in a residential apartment;
- following the procedure, she suffered severe complications, confirmed by a medical report;
- the investigation established that the defendant had no registered clinic and no license from the Ministry of Health;
- her defense based on holding a foreign diploma was rejected, as the law requires a license specifically issued in the UAE.
Relevant case law:
Case No. 911/2024 / Fe...