Key Summary:
If you’re a content creator running influencer marketing for brands on social media platforms, you need two things to operate in the UAE:
- A business (trade) license for your business in Dubai, either registered in the Mainland or a Free Zone.
- The UAE Media Council (UAEMC) Advertiser Permit — the practical influencer license in the UAE.
Finance creators add the SCA influencer license. You must register the social media accounts used for promotions and display your permit number to stay compliant with UAE regulations. Residents are eligible for a three-year permit fee waiver.
Table of Contents
Get Your Influencer License in Dubai — Start the 2-Step Path
What you need to obtain to work legally in the UAE as an Influencer
- A clear plan for your trade license (mainland or free zone)
- Your UAEMC Advertiser Permit is filed correctly
- Your social media accounts are registered, and your permit number is visible, so you stay compliant
Fast facts
- Residents: UAEMC permit fees waived for 3 years
- Visitors: 3-month Visiting Advertiser Permit via an accredited agency
- Finance creators: SCA finfluencer registration is in scope
New rule (2025): UAE influencer license requirements
When did the rule take effect?
- The UAEMC Advertiser Permit requirement went live on July 30, 2025.
- With a three-month grace period ending end October 2025
Why does the permit exist?
- Regulate and grow the advertising-content economy
- Boost the competitiveness of the UAE’s digital ad sector
- Protect the public from misleading content
- Raise content quality across the industry
- Encourage investment and attract skilled creators
Duration and fees
- Citizens & residents: 1 year, renewable
- Visitors: 3 months, renewable
- Fees: Free for the first three years for UAE citizens and residents
Who can apply (core requirements)?
- Applicant is 18+ (UAEMC may allow age-based exceptions)
- Good conduct and no prior media content violations
- Citizens/residents: must hold a trade/business license to practice electronic media
- Visitors: apply through a UAEMC-accredited advertising or talent agency
Exemptions (no permit needed)
- Individuals promoting their own products/services (or a company they own) via their personal accounts
- Under-18s involved in educational, sports, cultural, or awareness activities (per UAE age-classification rules)
Obligations for permit holders
- Follow UAE media content standards
- Verify advertiser legitimacy (no fake companies, pseudonyms, or fraudulent accounts)
- Display your permit number on your social profiles
- Publish ads only from accounts registered with UAEMC and linked to your permit
- Do not allow others to advertise through your registered accounts
- Obtain sector approvals (e.g., finance/health) before publishing when required
Visiting Advertiser Permit (for non-residents)
- Apply as a “Visiting Advertiser” via a UAEMC-approved agency
- Validity: up to 3 months, extendable once
The Advertiser Permit is now the practical influencer license in 2025 for individuals who publish paid or gifted promotions on media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and X. Register the exact accounts you’ll use, display your permit number, and follow content standards. This brings the fast-growing influencer industry under clear UAE rules.
Source: UAE Media Council (UAEMC) “UAE Media Council”
Do you need both a business license and an Advertisers’ permit?
Yes, you would need both generally. The business license allows you to operate a business legally in the UAE, and the Advertisers is issued by the UAE Media Council, which enables businesses or individuals to publish promotional content on social media and online.
- Business setup/trade license (license in the UAE). Your legal license to operate the influencer business (mainland or free zone).
- UAEMC Advertiser Permit (individual license). Your personal authorization of the UAE influencer license to publish promotional content. You must post ads only from registered social media accounts and show your permit number.
If you’re building a media company, there are separate establishment licenses. For a typical influencer in the UAE, the working combo is a trade license + Advertiser Permit. Finance creators add SCA.
Who needs an influencer license and who doesn’t?
Who needs an influencer license?
This would be anyone promoting third-party products or services on social (paid, gifted, affiliate, barter). If you’re an influencer, assume you need an influencer license.
Who doesn’t need an Influencer License?
Self-promotion exemption (precise): if an individual promotes their own products/services or those of a company they own via their accounts, they are exempt from the individual Advertiser Permit. This does not remove the need for a trade license for the underlying business, and you must still use clear ad disclosures. Corporate brand pages are not “individual accounts.”
Step-by-step: get an influencer license in Dubai. Creators can rely on
- Business setup
Choose SPC Free Zone (SPCFZ), IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, or mainland. Pick a license category aligned with how you earn: digital advertising, social media marketing, content creation/production, e-commerce, training/consulting. N - Get your trade license issued
Free zones and most mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership. A company setup can give you a path to UAE residency (via visa packages). - Apply for an influencer license (UAEMC Advertiser Permit)
Register your handles, display the number, and follow content standards. - Finfluencer license (if applicable)
If you cover investing or financial products, add the UAE finfluencer license (SCA registration) alongside the UAEMC permit.
Note: The Free Zones mentioned in this article are not the only available free zones to individuals. These are used as references in this article. You can contact your consultant either at Prolink TFS or with the Agency you are consulting with.
Free zones that align with an Influencer Business
Choose one jurisdiction for your business license. License is not the same as the Advertiser Permit. The Advertiser Permit is always issued by UAEMC afterward.
| Free zone | Activities aligned with influencers | Approvals/notes | License cost signal | Why does it fit Dubai and the UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPC Free Zone (SPCFZ) | Publishing/media, digital businesses, e-commerce | Standard sector approvals as needed | From AED 6,875.00 | Publishing-centric positioning; solid for content in the UAE and a scalable business setup. |
| IFZA | Advertising & Marketing Consultancy, incl. Marketing Services via Social Media | Varies by activity | Package-based | Clean “marketing” stack for influencer license in Dubai company setups. |
| Meydan Free Zone | Digital Advertising, Social Media Marketing Services | Many digital-ad activities require no third-party approvals; some social-media services may need post-license approval | Package-based | Meydan Free Zone makes activity selection transparent; great if you want “digital advertising” on the license. |
Costs and timelines (license requirements for 2025)
- License cost (trade license): depends on zone, activities, visas, and workspace. SPCFZ publicly signals from AED 6,875.
- UAEMC Advertiser Permit: residents have a 3-year fee waiver; visitors get a 3-month permit via an accredited advertising agency. (renewable once).
- Finfluencer license: SCA currently offers a three-year waiver on registration/renewal/legal-advice fees.
- Taxes: Corporate Tax 0% up to AED 375k, 9% above; VAT mandatory registration at AED 375k (voluntary at AED 187.5k).
Note: The 0% corporate tax rate for free zone companies generally applies to ‘qualifying income.’ Income from mainland UAE clients may be subject to the standard 9% rate.
Influencer License UAE — Disclosure and Legal Compliance
To stay compliant in 2025:
- Use unambiguous labels (#ad, #sponsored, #gifted).
- Publish ads only from registered accounts; keep the permit number visible.
- Obtain sector approvals first where required (e.g., SCA for finance).
- Keep contracts, invoices, screenshots, and a one-page disclosure SOP.
Are you a Financial Influencer? (UAE Finfluencer license)
If your content includes investment analysis or product promotion, add the finfluencer license alongside your UAEMC permit. It keeps your influencer marketing compliant while you scale.
Action: Check SCA Eligibility
From New Influencer to Licensed Influencer in a 30-day Plan
Week 1 — choose zone + activities; start incorporation
Week 2 — receive trade license; open bank; set up bookkeeping
Week 3 — obtain Advertiser Permit, register accounts, display number
Week 4 — finalize disclosures, contracts, rate card; add finfluencer license if relevant
FAQ – Influencer License in Dubai
What are the types of influencer licenses?
For individuals: the UAEMC Advertiser Permit. Finance creators add the finfluencer license (SCA). Your company also needs the right license in the UAE (mainland or free zone).
Who needs an influencer license?
Anyone promoting third-party services on social media. Self-promotion from your personal account is exempt from the individual permit; you still need a trade license.
How do I apply for an influencer license?
Form your company, then apply for an influencer license (Advertiser Permit) on the UAEMC portal. Register your accounts and display the number.
Can I get UAE residency through this?
A company setup (mainland or free zone) can provide UAE residency via visa packages tied to the trade license.
What’s the license cost?
Trade-license pricing is package-based. UAEMC’s individual permit is waived for residents for three years. SCA fees are also currently waived for finfluencers.
Get Your Influencer License in Dubai
Don’t let regulations slow you down. Let us handle the details, so you can scale your brand and profit from your passion.
We will:
- Streamline your business license application.
- Secure your UAEMC Advertiser Permit fast.