Open a Liaison or Representative Office in Dubai

Would you like to set up a liaison office in Dubai and need guidance? You can explore this article on this subject and reach out to our specialists in company formation in Dubai for personalized assistance.

Quick Facts
The purpose of a liaison office in Dubai	Representing a company from abroad and its activities
What activities can you undertake with a liaison office in Dubai?	– marketing and promotion of business, – gathering information on the business sector of interest in Dubai, – acting as a contact point between the parent company and potential clients
How can a representative office be registered in Dubai?	After: – depositing a guarantee, – obtaining preliminary approval , – preparing a statement showing the intention of opening a liaison office in Dubai, – having a registered address in Dubai, – appointing a liaison officer
Can a liaison office in Dubai have commercial activities? (YES/NO)	NO
Contacting potential clients and partners (YES/NO)	YES
Local agent required (YES/NO)	NO (UAE national agent no longer mandatory since 2021)
Attributes of a liaison officer	Constant communication with the parent company regarding business matters, promoting the company’s activities, and concluding business contracts with clients, if any.
Bank account for a liaison office in Dubai	Recommended for depositing the minimum guarantee, and other financial operations.
Minimum deposit	AED 10,000
The institution that authorizes the liaison office in Dubai	Dubai Trade Register
The costs of opening a representative office in Dubai	Formation and registration costs are supported by the foreign company.
Corporate tax for a liaison office in Dubai	No corporate tax for a liaison office
Licensing requirement	There is no need for a business license.
Time frame for opening a liaison office in Dubai	Around 10 days
Why choose our company formation agents in Dubai?	We can manage the formalities for opening a representative office in Dubai, at affordable costs.

Here is an infographic with details about a representative office in Dubai and its purposes:

How is a liaison office in Dubai known?

Representative office or RO.

Who can set up a liaison office in Dubai?

Any entrepreneur interested in testing the market in Dubai and exploring the business opportunities here.

What are the features of a liaison office in Dubai?

Must have the same business name as the parent company,
It is an extension of the foreign company and a communication channel,
Must engage in specific activities,
Can have local and foreign staff,
It has a promotional role, among other things.

What are the key activities of a liaison office in Dubai?

Can only develop marketing and advertising activities,
Can explore local investment and business opportunities,
Can develop business partnerships,
Can contract local partners, etc.

Can a RO in Dubai have commercial activities?

Not possible!

Is there a minimum capital needed for a RO in Dubai?

No.

Is a liaison office subject to taxation?

Where do I register a representative office in Dubai?

Mainland Dubai – with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET),
Dubai Free zones – with the local authorities, depending on the sector of interest (DIFC, DMCC, etc.).

What documents are required for setting up a liaison office in Dubai?

From the parent company:

Certificate of incorporation,
Articles and Memorandum of Association,
Board resolution authorizing the opening of a liaison office in Dubai,
Audited balance sheets, etc.

IMPORTANT: All documents must be translated and notarized before submission. Attestation of documents is done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.

Is a local agent needed to set up a liaison office in Dubai?

Yes. This is known as a Local Service Agent (LSA) who must be a UAE national or company owner.

NOTE: Our Dubai agents can be appointed as LSAs for a liaison office in Dubai, UAE.

Can a liaison office sign commercial contracts in Dubai?

No.

Who supports the costs of setting up a liaison office in Dubai?

The parent company.

Do I need to travel to Dubai, UAE to open a liaison office?

No need. We represent our clients via proxy/power of attorney.

What is the time frame to open a liaison office in Dubai?

About 2-4 weeks.

We offer dedicated services and support for international investors interested in company incorporation in Dubai, including representative offices. Do not hesitate to contact our team and get your answers & a quote today!