Promoting Content on Social Media in the UAE? Get Your Permit First in 2025

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Aug 21,2025

Promoting Content on Social Media in the UAE? Get Your Permit First - TerraTern

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UAE social media permit has become a formal requirement for any individual who wants to publish content online in the country. Beginning in August 2025, a new Permit known as the Advertiser Permit is required by all content creators, with or without payments on their posts. This step is intended to provide quality standards in digital advertisements and ensure that the artists and audience are not subjected to deceptive online promotions as organised by the UAE Media Council. Whether you are an influencer, a digital marketer or even someone who occasionally does some promotion of your business, it is important to be familiar with the new rules in order to adhere to them and develop professionally.

New Advertiser Permit: What You Need to Know

Here is a new advertiser permit for the UAE:

1. Advertiser Permit is Applicable To:

  • It is an injury to any person 18 years of age or over who may promote services, products or even brand content on social media.

  • Individuals who are content creators or influencers are getting income through collaboration, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.

  • The citizens/ residents of the UAE, as well as foreigners, are coming to conduct campaigns or posts under a brand.

2. Exceptions:

  • Customers who advertise their own company/products by using personal or corporate accounts.

  • Children under 18 who publish materials of educational, cultural or sports content and those who do not contravene the law.

Also Read: UAE Launches 10-Year Blue Residency Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Validity, Cost, and How to Get Your UAE Social Media Permit in 2025

Check the requirements in the table below:

Type

Validity

Application Channel

Cost

Who Needs It

UAE Resident Permit

1 year (renewable)

UAE Media Council

Free (first 3 years)

UAE citizens/Residents with a trade license

Visitor Permit

3 months (renewable)

Accredited agency in the UAE

Paid

Foreign Content Creators

 

How To Apply for a UAE Social Media Permit?

Here is how to apply for a UAE social media permit in 2025:

  • UAE Residents must have a Trade (Business) License for electronic media before applying.

  • For visitors, permits are handled through registered ad/talent agencies/representations inside the UAE.

  • Fees for  UAE residents and citizens are free for the first 3 years, and for visitors, standard fees must be paid.

Who Is Exempt From the Advertiser Permit?

Exemptions under UAE social media permit rule:

Exempt Category

Condition

Own business/service promotion

Using personal/company account

Minors (<18)

Educational, cultural, sports, and awareness; comply with age legislation

Penalties For Non-Compliance

The government has introduced strict fines for violations to ensure creators and advertisers take these regulations seriously:

Offense

First Fine (AED)

Repeat Offence Fine (AED)

No permit/license

10,000

40,000

Major violations (content)

Up to 1,000,000

Up to 2,000,000

Regulations have also been enforced in the form of fines when it comes to the usage of unlicensed or misleading promotions or content, which goes against the UAE's moral or national norms. The repeat offenders can be suspended, closed down, and sometimes even prosecuted criminally.

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Why Has the UAE Introduced These Rules?

In the region, UAE is one of the countries with the fastest growth in digital media, where revenue of influencers and content creators is expected to account to $97million in 2030. The Advertiser Permit is a new initiative with the objective of:

  • Enhance the quality of ads and, second, the transparency of advertising on social sites.

  • Shield citizens against false and deceptive information and fraud.

  • Promote professionalism that will assist creators in establishing brands and businesses that the world will trust.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your UAE Social Media Permit in 2025

Obtaining your UAE social media permit has become an essential process in the process of being an influencer, marketer, or just promoting branded content online. The proceedings can seem complicated, yet the process could be systematised into small and understandable steps, which will help you keep within the current regulations and avoid fines.

Step 1: You will then need to obtain a business ( trade) licence issued by Dubai Media City, SHAMS, Meydan or mainland DED.

Step 2: Carry out your social media and business details registration with the UAE Media Council.

Step 3: Get the Advertiser Permit either directly (domicile) or by means of an accepted representative (outsiders).

Step 4: Pay Federally required fees—or qualify and avoid them for up to 3 years free.

Step 5: Keep in compliance, before expiring renew permits.

Also Read: Apply for a UAE Work Visa For Indians: Requirements, Fees and More

Market Impact: Digital Advertising in the UAE

UAE is a fertile market when it comes to digital advertising since it has recently introduced permission-based rules to social media advertisement and influencer marketing.

  • By the year 2030, the influencer market of the UAE is projected to reach almost $97 97million.

  • The Media Council tries to achieve a professional and transparent creator ecosystem.

  • It is the hope of the country to have high-quality investments in the country, as well as having the best minds in the world through the formalisation of the advertising rules.

Conclusion

In the country, it has become mandatory to have a UAE social media permit to make promotional materials online. They will need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to comply with the law for content creators, influencers, and digital marketers. These laws, with powerful consequences, will govern the establishment of future digital advertisement and culture of an online influencer in the UAE, and Ethical and legal content productions will be the norm. For official permit application details and the latest media regulations, visit the UAE Media Council’s government website. To know more about the UAE or their policy change, visit TerraTern now!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the UAE social media permit?

Anyone who promotes paid or unpaid content on social media in the UAE must apply for a permit, unless exempt from promoting their own business. This rule is designed to cover influencers, marketers, and agencies to create a transparent promotional landscape.

How much does the Advertiser Permit cost?

UAE residents and citizens can get their permit free for the first three years, while foreigners must pay standard agency and permit fees. The cost ensures fair access for locals and international creators under the UAE’s regulatory framework.

What happens if you post promotional content without a permit?

Posting promotional content without a permit can result in fines from AED10,000 to AED40,000 and may reach AED2,000,000 for major violations. These penalties are in place to encourage compliance and maintain responsible online advertising.

Are minors required to get a social media permit?

Minors who produce content for educational, sports, or cultural reasons are exempt, as long as they follow UAE’s age classification laws. This exemption supports youth participation while maintaining age-sensitive media standards.

Where do visiting influencers apply for a permit?

Visiting influencers must apply via accredited advertising or talent management agencies inside the UAE to obtain their advertiser permit. This system streamlines compliance for foreign content creators and traveling influencers.