Quick Answer: A foreign company opening a branch in Dubai first chooses between the mainland and a free zone. It then attests its parent company documents, applies for initial approval and a trade name, secures a registered address and receives its trade licence. The address can be a physical office or, where the authority accepts it, a virtual office with Ejari. Visas and a corporate bank account come last.
What is a branch office in Dubai?
A branch is not a separate company. It is your foreign parent company operating in Dubai under the parent’s name, and the parent stays liable for the branch’s debts. That link is also why setting one up is simpler than forming a new company.
Branch office vs subsidiary vs representative office
- Subsidiary. A new company with its own limited liability.
- Representative office. It can promote the parent company but cannot invoice clients.
- Branch. It sits in between: it can carry out the parent’s licensed activities, but the parent owns it and is fully responsible for it.
Who should open a branch in Dubai?
A branch suits established foreign companies, and startups and SMEs that already trade abroad, especially those that want a base for serving clients in the UAE and the wider region.
Mainland vs free zone: where should you open your branch?
The choice depends on who your customers are, what you do and your budget. For the full comparison, see our guide to mainland vs free zone.
Dubai mainland branch (DET)
A mainland licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) lets you sell anywhere in the UAE, including to government bodies, and gives you the widest choice of office space in Dubai. Costs are higher. You need an Ejari-registered address and, in most cases, a local service agent who is a UAE national, so check that rule for your activity.
Free zone branch
Free zones such as DMCC or IFZA usually cost less and often accept a flexi desk or virtual address. The trade-off is that a free zone branch cannot trade directly with mainland customers. Since 2025, free zone companies can apply for a permit or branch licence to work in mainland Dubai; we explain the routes and fees in can a free zone company rent an office in mainland Dubai.
Step-by-step process to open a branch office in Dubai
Step 1: Choose your business activity and jurisdiction
Find the licence activity that matches what the parent company does, and decide between mainland and free zone. Approval only comes for activities that fit the parent’s existing business.
Step 2: Prepare and attest parent company documents
Every document issued abroad needs four sign-offs, in order: a notary, the foreign ministry of the home country, the UAE embassy there, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mainland applications also need a legal Arabic translation. This is the slowest part of the process, so start it first.
Step 3: Get initial approval and reserve a trade name
Apply for initial approval and reserve the trade name together. A branch normally uses the parent company’s name, which must meet UAE naming rules. A complete file avoids delays.
Step 4: Secure a registered address (physical or virtual office)
No licence is issued without a registered address. On the mainland, that means a tenancy registered on Ejari, Dubai’s tenancy registration system. Many free zones accept a flexi desk or a virtual office instead. We cover that option below.
Step 5: Apply for and receive your trade licence
Once the government fees are paid, the trade licence is issued for one year and then renewed. The total depends on your activity, your licensing authority and your type of address.
Step 6: Apply for visas and Emirates IDs, and open a bank account
Apply for visas and Emirates IDs next. The type of address you chose affects how many visas you can sponsor; see how many visas your office size can get. The corporate bank account comes last. Banks review the licence, the tenancy or lease document and the parent company’s paperwork closely. Our guide to opening a corporate bank account in Dubai covers what they ask for.
Documents required to open a branch office in Dubai
Each authority sets its own list, but most applications ask for:
- The parent company’s certificate of incorporation and articles of association
- A board resolution approving the branch and appointing a manager
- Passport copies of the manager and shareholders
- An Ejari tenancy contract or a free zone lease or desk agreement
- A local service agent agreement, where required
Cost of opening a branch office in Dubai
There is no single price. The total depends on your activity, the authority, attestation, visas and, above all, the office, which is usually the largest line. Fees also change over time, so get a written quote for your exact activities. Our Dubai mainland trade licence cost guide breaks down each fee, and our company formation team can price your branch line by line. At Jetset, private offices start at about AED 5,000 a month, including furniture, internet, utilities and Ejari, before 5% VAT.
What is a virtual office in Dubai?
A virtual office is a registered business address with mail handling and call answering, but no dedicated desk. Some packages also include Ejari documents and meeting-room access by the hour. It is the lowest-cost way to get a prime Dubai address.
How to set up a virtual office business in Dubai
In a branch setup, a virtual office replaces the physical lease in Step 4. Timing matters: choose your jurisdiction first, then arrange the virtual office, and do both before you file the licence application. The address and its documents go into that application and appear again on your bank forms. Jetset’s Virtual Office & Ejari package gives you a Business Bay address and the documents in one place.
Is a virtual office legal for branch registration in Dubai?
It can be, depending on where you register. Many free zones accept flexi desk or virtual arrangements. A mainland licence needs an Ejari-registered address, and some activities still require a leased office. A plain mailbox never qualifies. Get written confirmation from your authority before you pay for anything. Our guide to virtual office vs flexi desk vs private office compares what each option gives you.
Which licence types allow a virtual office?
Service activities such as consulting, marketing, IT and e-commerce usually qualify, especially in free zones. Food, healthcare and retail normally need physical premises, because of inspections and stock.
How to start a virtual office in Dubai: step by step
Step 1: Confirm eligibility with your authority
Before you spend anything, ask the authority whether your activity can run from a virtual or flexi address, and how many visas that address will support.
Step 2: Choose a reputable provider
Providers differ on where the address is, which authorities accept it, how they handle your mail and what renewal costs. Location matters more than you might expect, because banks are more comfortable with a staffed address in a business district like Business Bay.
Step 3: Sign the agreement and get your address documents
Once you sign, the provider registers the Ejari if your setup needs one and gives you the documents for your licence application.
Step 4: Complete licensing and activate your services
Link the address to your licence and switch on mail and call handling. If you need a desk later, a coworking day pass in Business Bay is AED 80, and meeting rooms in Dubai start at AED 200 an hour.
Common mistakes to avoid when opening a branch office in Dubai
- Choosing a cheap free zone that blocks trading across the UAE
- Rushing attestation and having documents sent back
- Using a virtual address your authority won’t accept
- Leaving renewals, visas and agent fees out of the budget
For a wider checklist, see our complete guide to setting up a business in Dubai.
Conclusion
Opening a branch follows a clear order: jurisdiction first, then attested documents, approval and the address, with visas and banking at the end. The address is where you have the most room to manage cost. If your authority accepts it, a virtual office can lower your setup cost. As the business grows, you can move to a desk or a private office on the 20th floor of Prime Tower without changing your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) Can I open a branch office in Dubai with a virtual office?
In many free zones, yes. On the mainland, DET needs an Ejari-registered address, which some business centres include in a virtual office package. In both cases, check that your activity is accepted before you commit.
(2) How long does it take to open a branch office in Dubai?
Government processing usually takes a few weeks once the attested documents are ready. Including attestation, the whole process often takes four to six weeks.
(3) What is Ejari and do I need it?
Ejari is Dubai’s official tenancy registration system. A mainland licence must be linked to an Ejari-registered address. Some free zones ask for their own lease document instead, so check which proof yours needs.
(4) How much does a virtual office cost in Dubai?
It depends on the provider and what is included. A prime address with Ejari usually costs more than a basic free zone package. Ask us for our current rate.
(5) Can I move from a virtual office to a physical office later?
Yes. At Jetset you can move from a virtual office to a hot desk, a dedicated desk or a private office on the same floor of Prime Tower, on monthly to annual terms, without changing your address.
