With the advent of social media, the influencer has become a powerful figure in the UAE. You find them in coffee shops, restaurants, bars, parks, schools – they have become synonymous with selling products and services in the region. So, if you are a social media influencer in Dubai and are earning money from your this, you need to read this guide. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023, all advertisers and content creators in the UAE must obtain an official permit before publishing any paid or unpaid promotional content across digital or traditional media.
What you need in 2026
Trade licence (influencer activity)
Apply for a Freelance Permit or Professional License with the activity “Social Media Services.” You can apply via the Dubai DET (DED Cafe) for local setups or GoFreelance (TECOM) for Free Zone options. Ensure your license is registered to apply for the mandatory UAE Media Council Permit. This is the business licensing step that lets you operate as a creator under a registered activity. From 1st February 2026, an advertiser permit is required for individuals advertising on social media (including unpaid promotions).1
Visitor option
If you are in the UAE on a visit visa and want to provide advertising content, there is a visitor advertiser permit route.2 Visitors must use a licensed advertising accredited by the UAE Media Council such as Xpozed LLC or New Media Academy, among many others.
Before you start
Ideally, you should visit DED Cafe (Palm Strip Mall) to register for this permit. You will need the following;
Documents to prepare (practical checklist)
- Emirates ID
- Passport
- UAE Pass on your phone (working and logged in) to authenticate your identity
- Your social media links/handles (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Debit or Credit Card to pay for the licensing
Apps to install
UAE Pass
UAE Pass is a secure, national digital identity app for accessing UAE government services. Having this app on your phone where you are authenticated, makes it much easier to access government services in the UAE, such as getting the influencer permit. Download the app and authenticate yourself on there before moving to next steps.
Step-by-step: trade licence via DED Cafe (based on the transcript workflow)
Step 1: Visit DED Cafe and request the influencer trade licence
Go to DED Cafe (Palm Strip Mall) and ask for the influencer licence/trade licence process. You’ll take a token and wait to be called. DED Cafe operating hours are 8:00am–10:00pm.3
What happens at the counter
- They will take your phone number and verify you via UAE Pass
- They will message you on WhatsApp asking for your social links (Instagram/YouTube/LinkedIn etc.)
- You pay the initial approval fee (the transcript example: AED 145)
Timing note
The initial approval should be ready in about 2 hours, and you will have to return in person to the DED Cafe to check the status of your application.
Step 2: Return for trade licence registration and payments
After initial approval:
- Take a token again
- The DED cafe staff guides you through trade licence registration
- You will make 2 payments for trade license registration with UAE Media Council
Step 3: Complete police verification (MOI UAE)
- Click the link and authenticate via UAE Pass
- Apply for your police clearance certificate
- Pay the relevant fee (AED 50)
- Wait for the report (roughly 30–60 minutes)
Submit the report back to DED
Once issued, share the report with the DED Cafe team, the trade licence is then issued and sent to you via WhatsApp. You now have a UAE influencer trade license.
Step 4: Apply for the Advertiser Permit (individuals)
Once you have your trade licence, apply through UAE Media Council licensing services for the permit that covers advertising/promotional content on social media. The UAE Media Council describes this permit as required for individuals engaging in social media advertising, whether compensated or not.
What you’ll submit
- Emirates ID PDF
- Passport PDF
- Your social media links to be covered under the permit (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube etc).
Processing time
This can take 7–10 days for the date of application however timelines can vary by application volume and completeness.
Costs and timeline (realistic expectations)
Example costs from the transcript
- Initial Approval (DED): AED 145
- Trade License Registration: ~AED 331
- Police Clearance (MOI): AED 50
- Advertiser Permit (Media Council): Free (for residents)
- Visitor Permit: AED 500
Time planning tip
Expect waiting windows (including an approval gap and police clearance issuance). Plan for a half day to a full day for the trade licence steps, then additional days for the permit to be issued.
Compliance notes for 2026 (why this matters)
Multiple UAE news reports describe fines up to AED 10,000 for missing the advertiser permit requirement and emphasize that the rule covers promotional content online – better safe than sorry.
FAQs
Do I need this if I’m a small creator?
If you publish promotional/advertising content in the UAE (paid or unpaid), the advertiser permit requirement applies broadly.
Can I apply without a trade licence?
Creators should complete trade licensing first, then apply for the advertiser permit. The exact dependency can differ by applicant type (resident vs visitor).
What if I promote on multiple platforms?
List every social media profile you want included (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, etc.) during the permit application.
Quick summary: the 5-step framework
- Prepare documents + UAE Pass + MOI UAE app
- DED Cafe: request influencer trade licence + initial approval
- Register trade licence + complete police verification via MOI UAE
- Apply for UAE Media Council advertiser permit (or visitor permit if applicable)
- Keep permit proof ready for brands and campaigns, and stay compliant
