Can a branch office trade directly in the UAE?

Yes. A foreign company branch with a Mainland license can trade directly with UAE clients, sign contracts, and participate in government tenders — unlike free zone entities which need local distributors.

Is a local partner required?

No ownership partner is required — you retain 100% ownership. However, a Local Service Agent (LSA) must be appointed. The LSA has no ownership rights and only assists with government liaison.

What is the timeline for branch setup?

Typically 3–6 weeks depending on document attestation speed, authority approvals, and office arrangement. Dubai Economy Center expedites the process where possible.

Can a branch sponsor visas?

Yes. Once the license is issued and immigration file is opened, the branch can sponsor residence visas for its manager and employees based on office space allocation.

What is the MOET registration?

The Ministry of Economy & Trade (MOET) registration is mandatory for commercial activity branches. It costs AED 11,000/year plus a one-time AED 1,000 registration fee, and requires an auditor NOC.

Can the branch use a different name than the parent company?

No. A branch must operate under the same name as the parent company. If you need a different brand name, you should consider setting up a subsidiary (LLC) instead.

What is the UBO Declaration?

The Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Declaration is a mandatory disclosure identifying the natural persons who ultimately own or control the parent company. This is required by UAE anti-money laundering regulations.

Foreign Company Branch in Dubai 2026 | Setup Guide & Requirements

Opening a foreign company branch in Dubai allows international businesses to expand into the UAE while operating under their existing parent company name. Unlike forming a new entity, a branch office remains legally connected to the overseas parent company and can conduct the same business activities.

What Is a Foreign Company Branch?

A foreign company branch is an extension of a parent company registered outside the UAE. Key characteristics:

No separate legal identity

Operates under parent company name

Can conduct same activities as head office

100% foreign ownership permitted

Requires local service agent (no ownership rights)

Types of Branch Licenses

Professional License

~AED 6,000

For consulting, services, and professional activities

No MOET registration required

Commercial License

~AED 8,000+

For trading, import/export, and commercial activities

Requires MOET registration

DET Registration Fees

Tradename Transaction fee	AED 115.5
Tradename Certificate	AED 620
Initial Approval Transaction fee	AED 115.5
Initial Approval Certificate	AED 620
SL Number Creation + UBO	AED 200
SL Creation for Legal Person	AED 115.5
Followup receipt	AED 115.5
Issue license	AED 115.5

These are DET registration fees only. License fees (Professional or Commercial) are separate.

MOET Registration fee (Commercial / Representative Company only)

MOET (Ministry of Economy and Tourism) registration fee applies if the activity is commercial or representative company.

MOET Entity creation + registration: AED 1000

Auditor Registration: AED 1000

MOET License fee: AED 11500

Benefits of Opening a Branch in Dubai

Direct access to UAE market

Trade freely across all emirates without local distributors

Retain parent company branding

Operate under the same name and brand identity

100% foreign ownership

No local partner or shareholder required

Sign local contracts

Directly enter agreements with UAE clients and government

Corporate banking eligibility

Open UAE business bank accounts with full functionality

Visa sponsorship

Sponsor residence visas for manager and employees

Who Can Apply?

Any foreign company with:

Active overseas registration

Audited financial statements

Board resolution to open UAE branch

Clear business activities

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Branch vs Subsidiary

Feature	Branch	Subsidiary
Legal Identity	Same as parent	Separate entity
Ownership	100% foreign	100% foreign
Liability	Parent company liable	Limited to subsidiary
Name / Branding	Must use parent name	Can use new name
MOET Registration	Required (commercial)	Not required

Step-by-Step Branch Setup Process

Document collection & preparation

Gather parent company documents: Certificate of Incorporation, MOA/AOA, Board Resolution, Power of Attorney

Document attestation

Home country notarization → UAE Embassy attestation → MOFA UAE attestation

Initial approval from DET

Submit attested documents to Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism for preliminary approval

Appoint Local Service Agent (LSA)

LSA assists with government liaison — no ownership rights given

UBO Declaration filing

File Ultimate Beneficial Owner declaration identifying natural persons who own/control the parent company

Reserve trade name

Must match parent company name — register with DET

Secure office space & Ejari

Mandatory physical office — register tenancy contract via Ejari system

MOET registration (commercial only)

DET license issuance

Pay license and DET registration fees — receive trade license

Immigration file, visas & bank account

Open immigration file, process manager visa, and set up corporate bank account

Dubai Economy Center manages each step from start to finish.

Required Documents

Certificate of Incorporation (attested)

Memorandum & Articles of Association (attested)

Board Resolution authorizing UAE branch

Power of Attorney for branch manager

Passport copies of managers/signatories

Audited financial statements

Tenancy contract / Ejari

UBO Declaration form

Auditor NOC (for MOET — commercial activity)

All foreign documents must follow the attestation chain: Home country notarization → UAE Embassy attestation → MOFA UAE

Office & Visa Requirements

Physical office mandatory (with Ejari)

Visa quota based on office size

Branch manager visa required

Employee visas available

How Dubai Economy Center Helps

Document attestation guidance

DET & MOET authority approvals

Local Service Agent arrangement

License issuance

Visa processing

Corporate bank account assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

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Dubai Economy Center simplifies foreign branch registration from start to finish.

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How to Set Up a Foreign Company Branch in Dubai, UAE