We offer you to open a branch of your company in the United Arab Emirates with our assistance. This will allow you to conduct business in the UAE while maintaining 100% ownership.
Branches do not form a separate legal entity. They are a kind of foreign company extension that remains responsible for their activities.
The branch may engage in commercial activities in the UAE and make a profit. A UAE branch receives a license stating its purposes. However, it can engage only in activities that its parent foreign company does in home jurisdiction.
A UAE branch of foreign company cannot conduct any commercial activity on its own behalf. Instead, it can negotiate or sign contracts on behalf of the parent company. If any products or services are required to fulfill this contract, the parent company directly supplies them.
Branches operate on the basis of commercial registration and license in a foreign company name. In addition, they need to appoint a local service agent, a UAE citizen, or a company wholly owned by local citizens. A local service agent represents the company’s interests in government institutions, not interfering in the branch activities.
Unlike other business registration forms, there is no authorized capital requirement for branches.
!The registration of a UAE branch requires serious documentary preparation: it is necessary to obtain a number of permits and certificates in the country of registration with their legalization in the UAE.
By contacting Offshore Pro Group specialists, you can significantly simplify both the preparatory stage and the registration process in the UAE. We have extensive professional experience, as well as knowledge of the business environment and local laws, and will help you easily and legally competently register a UAE branch.
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Necessary documents and requirements for registering UAE branch of foreign company
- Copies of shareholders’ passports.
- Branch manager’s passport copy and CV.
- Personal information sheet for each shareholder and manager (our specialists can provide a template).
- Confirmation of the branch trade name reservation (our specialists will receive it).
- Confirmation of the branch activities pre-approval (our specialists will receive it).
- The Memorandum of Association of your existing company. Certification by the UAE Embassy in the parent’s company country of incorporation and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
- The Articles of Association of your existing company. Certification by the UAE Embassy in the parent’s company country of incorporation and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
- Board Resolution issued by the Board of Directors of your existing company, expressing the intention to open a branch abroad (our specialists can provide a template). Notarization and certification by the UAE Embassy in the parent’s company country of incorporation and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs are required.
- Certificate of Incorporation and license of your existing company. Certification by the UAE Embassy in the parent’s company country of incorporation and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
- Your company’s Certificate of Good Standing, issued by the registrar of companies in the place of origin (our specialists can provide a template). Certification by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
- Your company’s Certificate of Incumbency, issued by the registrar of companies in the place of origin (our specialists can provide a template). Certification by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
- A power of attorney appointing our specialist as your legal representative in governing bodies to act on your behalf or on behalf of shareholders (our specialists can provide a template).
- Lease agreements – a physical address for your business is mandatory in the UAE. Our experts can assist you in finding a physical address (required after we receive initial approval from the governing body).
- Business plan. Our experts can help you create a business plan if needed.
- There are some activities that may require prior approval from the relevant governing bodies. In this case, there may be an additional government fee and an additional fee for our assistance.
- During the registration process, the governing bodies may request additional documents.
- There are no capital requirements for a UAE branch of a foreign company.
UAE representative office or branch registration process
To receive the Offshore Pro Group branch registration service, you need to contact us via e-mail at info@offshore-pro.info.
Then you need to pay a fee for our assistance in registering a UAE branch.
You can pay by bank card or bank transaction, via WebMoney or Western Union systems, or using cryptocurrencies. Branch opening cost starts from 6850 USD.
As soon as we receive payment, we will immediately begin the process of preparing documents.
1. Choosing a local service agent to register branch office in the UAE
One of the key features of UAE branches is that they require local service agent appointments. The agent has to be a UAE citizen. This requirement does not apply to branches of foreign companies registered in free zones.
The agent is not responsible for any branches and does not take part in operations, management, or ownership. Technically, the agent’s role is limited to administrative functions such as obtaining licenses, permits, visas, etc. for an annual fee.
To appoint a local service agent, parties have to sign an agreement in the presence of the relevant emirate’s notary public. There is no prescribed form of agreement, so it will be a matter of negotiation.
Our experts will select a reliable local service agent for you.
2. Trade name reservation and initial approval for UAE branch registration
Branch registration requires submitting an application for trade name reservation and initial approval to the Department of Economic Development (DED) of the relevant emirate.
3. Application to the Ministry of Economy for registering UAE branch of foreign company
After initial approval, it is necessary to apply to the Ministry of Economy.
- The application form should contain:
- All foreign company details (including share capital, head office information, foreign assets, home jurisdiction).
- Proposed activities (they must be consistent with the activities in the home jurisdiction).
- The name of the proposed general manager in the UAE.
Along with the application form, you need to submit the following documents:
- Trade name reservation certificate and initial approval.
- Corporate documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation (or analogue), the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association, and the Certificate of Good Standing that you can obtain in the home jurisdiction.
- Company’s Board Resolution, allowing branch opening, General manager appointment, and issuing power of attorney in favor of the General manager.
- Company’s consent to accept liability for the obligations of a branch opened in the UAE.
- Power of attorney in favor of the General manager (approved by Board Resolution) and the General manager’s passport copy.
- Parent company’s audit reports for the last two years.
- Report setting out the company’s main operations and activities to confirm the proposed activities in the UAE.
- Notarized agreement with the local service agent and copies of the agent’s identity documents (or corporate documents if the agent is a legal entity).
The Ministry of Economy will issue its own initial approval. After that, you need to submit the following additional documents in printed form to the Ministry of Economy:
- Application form.
- Parent company’s Certificate of Incorporation.
- Initial approval by the Ministry of Economy.
- Certificate of deposit in a local bank.
After these procedures, the Ministry of Economy will approve the branch registration. The business will start working only after the following steps are completed.
4. Obtaining a license from the Department of Economic Development for UAE representative office or branch
The Ministry of Economy will issue a formal approval to the Department of Economic Development.
When the DED receives the approval, you have to submit an application to this body. This will require documents similar to those submitted to the Ministry of Economy. In addition, the applicant needs to add a proposed UAE office address.
It is necessary to attach the following documents to the application:
- Approval by the Ministry of Economy, together with approvals received from other governing bodies that control the company’s industry field.
- Copies of documents for the proposed rental in the UAE.
- Copies of certain documents submitted to the Ministry of Economy.
- Commitment of the foreign parent company.
- Letter from the UAE auditor confirming that they are working with the company. In addition, you have to provide a report from the same auditor summarizing the company’s financial statements for the previous 2 years.
After that, the Department of Economic Development will issue a commercial license for a UAE branch or representative office, usually valid for 1 year and renewable annually.
5. Performing administrative tasks to register branch office in the UAE
After obtaining a commercial license, a foreign company can use the office space offered for rent, open a bank account, and obtain visas and labor cards for its employees.
6. Becoming the Chamber of Commerce and Industry member
The final step for registering a branch is becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For this, it is necessary to submit an application, and provide copies of a commercial license and an office lease agreement, along with passport copies of branch authorized signatories.
Fees for registering UAE branch of foreign company
Registration fees process vary between emirates (although the Ministry of Economy fees are the same). Commercial license fees may also vary depending on the company’s proposed activities.
Notarization of documents required for UAE representative office or branch registration
A foreign company has to submit the documents listed above for certification by the UAE Consulate or Embassy in the country of incorporation and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The notarization and certification processes should start as early as possible, as it can take a long time.
What should you consider when registering UAE branch?
- Formalities and procedures are usually determined by each emirate separately. We have considered the main steps and key documents common to all emirates.
- Additional requirements may apply for companies in specific areas of activity.
- The relevant governing bodies consider each application on a case-by-case basis. They may impose additional requirements or reject the standard requirements.
- In Dubai, it is possible to obtain a license for 4 years upon special request.
Prices for UAE branch registration services
Registration fees
| Service | Price, AED | Price, USD |
| Branch registration | 25,000 | 6,850 |
| Local agent | 15,000 | 4,110 |
| Migration card (including deposit for an online system) | 4,920 | 1,350 |
| Labor card | 2,000 | 550 |
| Visa (for employee) | 5,000 | 1,370 |
| Making changes | From 2,000 | From 550 |
| License renewal | 5,000 | 1,370 |
State fees for UAE branch registration
| Service | Price, AED | Price, USD |
| Application to the Ministry of Economy | 5,000 | 1,350 |
| Registration with the Ministry of Economy (annual fee) | 10,000 | 2,700 |
| Deposit at the Ministry of Economy request (refundable upon cancellation of registration), submitted in the bank guarantee format (our specialists can help with this) | 50,000 | 13,600 |
| Registration with the local governing body (approximately) | 10,000 | 2,700 |
Please contact us to register branch office in the UAE. In addition, we can offer qualified people as a local service agent, if necessary.
We will prepare all the necessary documents exactly when they are required. You will not have to worry about them being filled out properly.
We are intimately familiar with the local culture and local institutions, so we will help make the branch registration process as quick and hassle-free as possible.
After registering and starting your branch, we are ready to offer additional support to make your business easier. Our services include opening a bank account, financial and accounting assistance, internal audit, financial planning, preparation for an external audit, and others.
Please note that you can expand your business opportunities by taking advantage of our offers in other attractive jurisdictions:
We will save you time for your core business and personal life.
Feel free to contact us at info@offshore-pro.info for personal advice.
