Branch

Dear Potential Business Partner,

Thank you for choosing IMPZ as the home for your new business. The following information is meant to serve as your guide to registering a company with us. Your Sales and Business Development Manager would have already explained the various options you have with regards to the legal frame for your new entity. 

In this registration pack you will find information pertaining to each type of entity that includes the following:

• Check list of legal documents required
• Helpful hints for ensuing your legal documents are in order

IMPZ also recommends that you take the time to do the following prior to registering your new entity:

• Consult a local lawyer who can give you valuable information on your rights & obligations once you have registered a company with us
• Contact a local bank of your choice to enquire about their requirements for opening a corporate account 
• Read the TECOM licensing regulations (http://www.tecom.ae/law/index.htm)
• Read the TECOM private companies law (http://www.tecom.ae/law/index.htm)
• Read the IMPZ general lease terms and conditions

Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the following:

• Your  Sales and Business Development Manager will be your point of contact through this process
• The Registration Department has the right to ask for additional documentation / attestation if they consider necessary
• We will deliver specified actions within the defined thresholds
• Your Sales Manager will call you on the day your documents are ready so that you can agree on a collection time. Visiting our offices without an appointment will not speed up the process

Process for Branch of Foreign Company

To qualify for a Branch License the Parent Company must be at least two years old.  The registration process generally takes 5 working days to complete and is detailed below.  The documents required for the registration of your branch office trade license are also listed below, please refer to the back side of this sheet for a more detailed checklist.  Please note that we can not accept an incomplete file for registration.  The Authority reserves the right to ask for additional documentation / authentication as deemed necessary.

Step One:  Hand over of Legal Documents
The Regional Sales Manager handling your account will meet with you so that you can hand over the legal documents required for registering your branch office. Together you will review the documents against the checklist so as to ensure they are complete. 

Step Two:  Review of Legal Documents
Your legal documents will be reviewed by our Registration team so as to ensure that the necessary information pertaining to the partner company and the proposed branch office are in order. This review process takes up to 4 working days. It is at this stage that your file is either accepted or returned for additional information. 

Step Three:  Issuance of Branch office License & Lease Agreement
Once your legal file has been accepted by the Registration Department your Branch office trade license will be issued within 3 working days.  The Regional Sales Manager handling your account will contact you to fix an appointment to sign your lease and collect a copy of your trade license.

At this stage in the process you will need to make a down payment towards your office premises equal to 34% of the annual rent and make payment in full for your trade license and company registration. 

Step Four: Collection of Trade License
With a copy of your trade license you will be able to open up a corporate account with a local bank.  Once the account is opened you will need to issue post dated checks to cover the remainder of your first years lease.   Upon the receipt of your checks IMPZ will release all legal documents.

Check list of Docs – Branch Office

The registration of your Branch office requires that the legal documents submitted meet the criteria detailed below.  By ensuring that your legal documents comply with out requirements, you allow us to serve you more efficiently.   All legal documents presented must be in English or Arabic, or legally translated into English or Arabic.

1. Original Board Resolution of the Parent Company - on company letterhead, in duplicate and stating the following:    (A specimen resolution is available for your use)
   • Calling for the establishment of a Branch in International Media Production Zone.
   • Guaranteeing full financial responsibility of the Branch
   • Appointing Manager and assigning Power of Attorney for Manager (please state the Manager’s full name as in the passport, nationality and passport number). If the Power of Attorney is a separate document it should be Notarized and Legalized.
   • Appointment of the Negotiator or Legal Representative (optional)

   The Board Resolution must be signed by the parent company’s “official signatory”, Notarized and Attested by the nearest UAE / GCC Embassy. Only Notarization by the court is applicable for local companies.

   Please ensure that names appearing in the Resolution are as they appear in the attached legal documents and in the respective passports.

2. Legal Documents of the Parent Company
   • Original Certificate of Registration of the Company*
   • Original Certificate of Good Standing of the Company (issued not more than 6 months from date of application)
   • Original Memorandum and Articles of Association*

   * Copies will be accepted only if they are Legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in which they are issued. Only Notarization by the court is applicable for local companies.

   If these documents do not state the names of Directors, Company Officers and Official Signatories please submit additional documents verifying this information – the official “company register”.

3. Valid passport copy (send as electronic copies) - must be clear/ complete and passports should be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
   • of the Manager
   • of the “Official Signatory”
   • of the Negotiator / Legal Representative if applicable
4. Specimen signature – A form is available for your use
   • of the Manager
   • of the “Official Signatory” of the parent company
   • of the Negotiator / Legal Representative if applicable

   Please ensure that all names mentioned on this form are as they appear in the passport. If this form is not signed in the presence of an IMPZ representative it must be Notarized.

5. Application for License – form is available