Establish a Branch in Dubai
Foreign companies wanting to retain 100% ownership over their business in Dubai can register a branch or a representative office. Dubai branch offices are more convenient because they can engage in commercial activities and make profits compared to liaison offices. The branch office is basically an extension of the foreign parent Company in Dubai. The branch office must also obtain a trade license for the same activities its parent Company carries out.
Requirements to open a branch office in Dubai
The first step to open a Company in Dubai, including a branch office, is to find and appoint a local agent. Our experts in Dubai offer Company registration services.
The local agent will first go to the Department of Economic Development (DED) and obtain the name reservation and then will apply for an initial approval from the Ministry of Economy for opening the Dubai branch office. The documents required for initial approval to be submitted with the Ministry of Economy are:
- Registration and a license application forms
- Proof of the reserved business name
- A copy of the directors passport and a letter of no-objection issued by the parent Company
- A copy of the UAE representatives passport and naturalization book
- The foreign Company’s management board resolution for opening the branch in Dubai
- A power of attorney for the Dubai director
- The parent Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association
- A copy of the parent Company’s Certificate of Incorporation
- Approval issued by the Government for carrying out the specified trading activities
The Memorandum, Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation must translated into Arabic and duly notarized.
Registration of the Dubai branch office
Once the initial approval is obtained, the local agent will go the Department of Economic Development and submit the following documents:
- The approval received from the Ministry of Economy,
- A copy of the property lease agreement in the Dubai,
- Copies after the documents submitted with the Ministry of Economy,
- A statement issued by the parent Company on the business activities to be carried out,
- The parent Company’s audited financial statements for the last two years.
Once the Dubai branch obtains its commercial license from the Department of Economic Development it can register with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and start operating.
For Company registration and accounting services, please contact our specialists in Quantum Auditing.
