What it is
Onshore presence, parent company control
A Dubai branch shares the legal identity of the parent and can perform approved activities in the UAE. A representative office is limited to promotion and liaison, not revenue. You appoint a manager, align scope with the parent objects, register premises, and complete licensing with no share capital. Banking, VAT where relevant, and visas follow after license issuance. Our business advisory services sequence every filing so the parent board has clear sign-off points.
HOW IT WORKS
From parent to onshore - your branch setup path
Scoping and alignment
Our team confirms branch or representative status, approved activities, manager appointment, and the premises plan. Name reservation and initial approval are filed promptly.
Parent documents and attestations
We collect legalized parent company papers and a board resolution authorizing the UAE branch or representative office. Notarization is arranged where required. This is usually the longest stage of branch setup because attestation must happen in the parent's home country, then again through the UAE Embassy abroad and MOFA in the UAE.
Premises and registration
We register a flexi desk or an office to match visa targets and inspection rules. This enables license issuance and immigration files.
License issuance
The trade license and establishment card are issued under the parent company name. We register UBO and create your compliance profile where required.
Go live
You receive a bank-ready documentation pack. We support bank account opening, register VAT where relevant, and start investor and employment visas.
DOCUMENTATION
What we need to start the process
Parent company papers
Legalized certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, good standing or incumbency, and a board resolution authorizing the branch or representative office.
Manager and signatories
Passports, UAE entry or visa pages, specimen signatures, and contact details.
Registered address
Flexi desk booking or office lease to enable license and visas.
Activity scope match
Statement of intended UAE activities aligned with parent company objects.
Local filings
Authority forms completed with parent details and appointed manager.
Authorization
If required, a power of attorney so we can submit and complete filings on your behalf.
costs and timelines
Clear costs, precise timing
Authority fees
Name reservation, initial approval, license issuance, establishment card, and immigration files. Figures depend on the authority schedule and activity scope.
Premises
Flexi desk or office, selected to match visa targets and inspection rules. We confirm the right option during scoping.
Professional services
Drafting and legalization of parent documents, board resolution, government liaison, and a bank-ready documentation pack, delivered through our business advisory services. Pricing is fixed and transparent in your proposal.
Typical timing
Local licensing typically completes in 7 to 14 working days once parent documents are fully attested. The full end-to-end window from parent-document attestation through licensing usually runs 3 to 6 weeks, depending on which country the parent is registered in. Banking timing depends on profile and completeness. Our pack is designed to shorten review time.
What can extend timing
Legalization delays, sector approvals, or changes to the activity scope. We flag these at scoping so you can plan with confidence.
COMPLIANCE
Stay compliant, avoid interruptions
VAT
Register when taxable supplies meet, or are expected to meet, AED 375,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500.
Corporate tax
0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income. 9% above that threshold for mainland entities.
UBO, ESR, AML and KYC
Keep UBO records current. Assess economic substance. Maintain AML and KYC files that match your activity and risk profile. We align branch compliance with the parent's reporting calendar so nothing duplicates or contradicts upstream filings.
Renewals and record keeping
Renew the license, establishment card, and visas on schedule. Maintain accurate books and supporting documents. We set a simple annual calendar so nothing slips.
VAT
Register when taxable supplies meet, or are expected to meet, AED 375,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500.
Corporate tax
0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income. 9% above that threshold for mainland entities.
UBO, ESR, AML and KYC
Keep UBO records current. Assess economic substance. Maintain AML and KYC files that match your activity and risk profile. We align branch compliance with the parent's reporting calendar so nothing duplicates or contradicts upstream filings.
Renewals and record keeping
Renew the license, establishment card, and visas on schedule. Maintain accurate books and supporting documents. We set a simple annual calendar so nothing slips.
WHY TAKWEEN
Why our business advisory services in Dubai handle branch setup right the first time
We combine expertise, personalized service, and a commitment to excellence to make your branch or representative office setup seamless. Five standards anchor the work.
Expert consultants
Seasoned professionals with deep working knowledge of UAE business regulation and cross-border legalization.
Personalized service
We tailor the engagement to your parent company's governance and reporting needs.
Fast processing
Efficient company formation to get your branch operating in the shortest realistic window.
Ongoing support
Continuous assistance even after your branch is established for smooth operations.
24/7 support
On-call support for quick answers and fixes. One contact logs requests, tracks status, and escalates vendors so work stays on schedule.
FAQs
Straight answers to common questions
Open your Dubai branch with confidence
Ready to extend your foreign company onshore? Tell us your scope and timeline. Our team will prepare the filings, align parent documents, and hand you a bank-ready pack so you can start operating without delay.