Foreign Branch Office

A branch office in Dubai is an extension of a foreign parent company that is located outside of the UAE. It is a full-fledged business, permitted to perform contracts or conduct other activities as specified in its license. A foreign Branch Office may only engage in activities similar to those of its parent company.

The purpose of setting up a branch office in Dubai is to promote and market the products of the parent company, undergo business transactions, forge its agreements with other businesses under the name of the parent company and provide services to its customers. It is ideal for highly regulated sectors such as Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.

Representative Office

If a foreign company is looking for exposure to the UAE market, they can set up a Representative Office on the mainland. The role of a Representative Office is limited to the promotion of products and services of the parent company and it is not allowed to conduct business in Dubai.