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An influencer license in Dubai is really two things. You need a trade licence with an electronic media activity. You also need an Advertiser Permit from the National Media Authority. The permit covers paid and unpaid promotion on social media.
The National Media Authority replaced the UAE Media Council. Older guides and the permit guide still use the Council’s name.
Who needs an influencer license in Dubai?
You need the Advertiser Permit to publish advertising content on social media in the UAE. It covers any product, service, event or activity. That covers citizens, residents and visitors. It applies whether you’re paid or not. Only two groups are exempt from it.
The Advertiser Permit guide lists the exemptions:
- Your own business. Anyone promoting their own products or services on a personal account doesn’t need it.
- Under-18s. Young people making educational, sports, cultural or awareness content are exempt.
Selling your own goods online is a different question. It needs a trading licence, not a media one. We explain the difference between an e-trader and e-commerce license in a separate guide.
The two parts: a license and a permit
Many people think the permit is the licence. It isn’t. The permit sits on top of a trade licence.
| Part | Who issues it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence with an electronic media activity | Your emirate’s economic department, such as DET in Dubai | Lets you run a media business in the UAE |
| Advertiser Permit | The National Media Authority | Lets you publish advertising content on your accounts |
The permit guide asks you to "hold a valid commercial license for electronic media activity from the relevant authority". So the licence comes first. The permit application then asks for a copy of it.
Which trade license works for the permit?
The permit guide lists each emirate’s economic department as the licensing authority. In Dubai, that’s DET, so a mainland licence is the clearest route. Some free zones also license media activities. If you hold one, ask the Authority first if it accepts a free zone licence for the permit.
Pick the activity with care. For Dubai, the guide lists activities such as Electronic Blogging, Social Media Marketing Services and Social Media Account Management. We handle mainland company registration in the UAE for creators and match the activity to the permit rules.
How to get the Advertiser Permit
The National Media Authority’s permit service runs online. The steps are:
- Log in to the Authority’s e-services system.
- Choose the permit service.
- Fill in your details and upload your documents.
- Submit and track the status.
- Pay the fee once it’s approved.
You need four documents: your digital ID, your passport, a personal photo and your commercial licence. The Authority lists processing as three working days.
You must also meet these conditions:
- Be at least 18. The guide allows 15 to 17-year-olds under extra conditions.
- Have good conduct, with no conviction for a felony or dishonesty offence unless legally rehabilitated.
- Complete the Authority’s training programme.
- Have no previously cancelled permit and no unpaid dues to the Authority.
Once approved, show your permit number clearly on your social media accounts.
What does the Advertiser Permit cost?
For citizens and residents, the Advertiser Permit is free for the first three years. After that it costs AED 1,000. The permit lasts one year and you renew it. Your trade licence is a separate cost. That depends on your activity and office type.
Visitors pay AED 500 to issue the visitor permit and AED 500 to renew it.
Visiting influencers and content creators
Visitors need a permit too. The visitor permit lasts three months. You can extend it up to six months in total.
There’s one extra rule. A visiting advertiser must register with a licensed advertising or talent agency approved by the Authority. You can’t apply on your own on a visit visa.
What happens if you post ads without a permit?
The fines rise with each offence. Posting advertising content without a permit gets a written warning first. A second offence costs AED 20,000. A third costs AED 50,000. Running a media activity with no licence costs AED 10,000, then AED 40,000.
These come from Cabinet Resolution No. 42 of 2025. With no licence, you get 30 days to fix it after the first fine. If you don’t, the second fine comes with closure until you comply. For posting without a permit, a repeat violation doubles the fine. Posting after your permit expires costs AED 10,000, then AED 20,000.
The Authority can also cancel a permit. The guide lists false information, breaking the permit conditions and content that breaks media standards.
Want to post paid content without the risk? We set up your media licence, then help you apply for your permit. Book a call about a Dubai mainland trade licence and we’ll map the right activity for your content.
This guide summarises the Authority’s permit rules and Cabinet Resolution No. 42 of 2025 as we last read them. Rules and fees can change. Check the Authority’s service page or ask our team before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit if I’m not paid for the post?
Yes. The permit covers advertising content "for compensation or free of charge". So a post about a free product you received still counts as advertising under that wording.
Do I need a permit to promote my own business?
No, if you’re promoting your own products or services on your personal account. You still need the right trade licence to run that business.
Who issues the influencer license now?
The National Media Authority issues the Advertiser Permit. It replaced the UAE Media Council. In Dubai, a mainland trade licence comes from DET.
How long does the permit take?
The Authority lists three working days. Your trade licence takes longer, so start that first.
