A DMCC branch office lets an existing company operate in Dubai under its own name, without forming a new legal entity. It is the fastest way for an established business to put a licensed presence in JLT — provided the parent company’s documents are prepared and legalised correctly. That preparation is where we come in.
Branch vs subsidiary in DMCC
| Branch | Subsidiary (new DMCC company) |
|---|
| Legal entity | Extension of the parent | Separate DMCC company |
| Liability | Parent bears full liability | Limited to the subsidiary |
| Name | Same as the parent | New name (can mirror the parent) |
| Activities | Within the parent’s activities | Any approved DMCC activity |
| Best for | Established groups wanting a quick regional office | Ring-fencing risk, new investors, new business lines |
Unsure which fits? A subsidiary or DMCC holding company is often better when you want to separate risk or bring in local partners.
Who can open a branch in DMCC
- Foreign companies registered outside the UAE
- UAE companies registered on the mainland or in another free zone
The branch must hold a DMCC licence for its activities, and a branch registered without a licence can be struck off — so registration and licensing are handled together.
Documents required
- Parent company certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association
- Board resolution approving the branch and appointing the branch manager
- Details of the parent’s directors and the branch manager (passport copies)
- Recent good standing certificate or registry extract
- Power of attorney for the branch manager, where required
Documents from outside the UAE must be
notarised and legalised (apostille or embassy route, then UAE attestation) and sometimes legally translated. Getting this chain right is the biggest time saver — we give you the exact sequence for your country before you start. See also
documents required for DMCC setup.
DMCC branch registration process
- Structure and activitiesWe confirm a branch is right and map the parent’s activities to DMCC licence activities.
- Pre-approvalOnline application and name check with DMCC.
- Legalised documentsWe collect and review the attested parent documents.
- Registration and licenceDMCC registers the branch and issues the e-licence once fees are paid and the office is selected.
- Post-licence setupEstablishment card, visas and a corporate bank account.
Once documents are legalised, DMCC’s own processing can be as quick as around two weeks. Legalisation abroad is usually the longer part.
Cost
A branch pays broadly the same DMCC licence, registration and office costs as a new company, plus the cost of legalising parent documents. See the full DMCC cost breakdown and office options, then ask us for a fixed all-in quote.
Moving an existing company rather than adding a branch? Read transferring your company to DMCC. Need to trade on the mainland too? See the DMCC dual licence.
Open your DMCC branch
Send us the parent company details — we’ll confirm branch vs subsidiary and give you the exact document checklist.
Get Free ConsultationWhatsApp UsDMCC branch office — FAQs
Can a foreign company open a branch in DMCC?
Yes. Foreign companies, and companies registered elsewhere in the UAE, can register a branch in DMCC that operates under the parent company’s name.
Is the parent company liable for a DMCC branch?
Yes. A branch is not a separate legal entity, so the parent company bears full liability. A subsidiary limits liability to the new DMCC company.
How long does DMCC branch registration take?
DMCC’s processing can take around two weeks once documents are ready. Legalising parent company documents abroad usually takes longer, so we start there.
Do parent company documents need attestation?
Yes. Documents issued outside the UAE must be notarised, legalised and attested for use in the UAE, and may need legal translation into English or Arabic.
Can a DMCC branch sponsor visas?
Yes. Once licensed and holding an establishment card, the branch can sponsor residence visas within the quota of its office.
How we keep this page accurate. Fees and process steps are checked against DMCC’s official
Schedule of Charges and the
DMCC Knowledge Bank guidelines, and against the DMCC member-portal filings our JLT team handles every week.
Last verified: October 2026. Government fees change, so we confirm the live figure before you pay.
