Branch Office Setup Services in the UAE

UAE branch office registration for foreign and local parent companies, letting you operate under the parent's name and activity.

A branch office lets an existing UAE or foreign parent company operate in a new emirate or free zone under its own name, without incorporating a separate legal entity. We handle registration with the relevant authority, including parent company document attestation and the activity approval that branch registration requires.

Because a branch operates under the parent’s legal identity, we align its VAT and Corporate Tax registrations with the parent company’s existing filings so nothing is reported twice or missed.

Branch or Subsidiary?

A branch is part of the parent company: the parent is liable for its debts and the branch carries the parent’s name. A subsidiary is a separate legal entity with limited liability, and can have local shareholders. A branch is quicker to set up and fits a group extending an existing business into the UAE.

Documents Usually Required

  • Certificate of incorporation and constitutional documents of the parent
  • Board resolution approving the branch and appointing a manager
  • Power of Attorney for the branch manager
  • Parent financial statements, where requested

Foreign documents normally need attestation through the home country and UAE authorities, which our legalization team handles.

Tax and Accounting for the Branch

The branch is part of the parent for legal purposes but still has its own UAE tax filings and books. We align the branch’s Corporate Tax and VAT position with the parent group.

This service is part of our Business Setup practice. See the full overview: Business Licensing & Office Setup Support in the UAE.

Often needed together with: Mainland Company Setup Services in Dubai, Free Zone Company Setup Services in the UAE, Offshore Company Setup Services in the UAE, Corporate Bank Account Opening Services in the UAE.

Also see: Accounting & Bookkeeping Services in Dubai, Corporate Tax Registration & Filing Services in the UAE, Government & PRO Approval Services in the UAE.

Where We Provide This Service

Accounting services in Bur Dubai · Accounting services in DMCC · Accounting services in JAFZA · Accounting services in IFZA · Accounting services in Meydan · Accounting services in Abu Dhabi · Accounting services in Sharjah

Key Benefits

  • Operate under your existing company name and activity, no new legal entity
  • Parent company document attestation and legalisation handled for you
  • Registration coordinated with the parent company's tax filings
  • Works across both Mainland and free zone branch registrations

Our Process

  1. Confirm activity and target jurisdiction for the branch
  2. Attest and legalise parent company documents
  3. Submit branch registration and obtain approval
  4. Complete licence issuance and align tax registrations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a branch office need its own share capital?

No, a branch is not a separate legal entity and does not require its own share capital; it operates as an extension of the parent company.

What documents does the parent company need to provide?

Typically a Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, board resolution approving the branch, and a Power of Attorney, all attested and legalised for use in the UAE.

Can a foreign company open a Mainland branch with 100% foreign ownership?

Yes, branch registration does not require a local shareholder, though a local service agent may be required for certain activities depending on the emirate.

Is the parent company liable for the branch's obligations?

Yes, because the branch is legally part of the parent company rather than a separate entity, the parent bears liability for the branch's activities and obligations.

How does branch registration differ between Mainland and free zone?

The core requirements are similar, but the licensing authority, permitted activities and approval timeline differ. We confirm the right route once we know your target activity and location.

Can a branch register for VAT and Corporate Tax separately from the parent?

The branch is generally covered under the parent's tax registration rather than registering independently, and we align the filings accordingly.

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