Love social media? Want to make it a career? Ever considered a UAE influencer license?
By 2022, estimates are that brands will be spending a total of USD 15bn globally on influencer marketing. Even in 2018, influencers in the UAE were charging up to USD 5,000 for one post, while the more well-known among them were charging double that.
Three years ago, the National Media Council (NMC) brought in regulations in the UAE to professionalise the influencer world; these new licensing laws would apply to ‘any paid or unpaid form of presentation and/or promotion of ideas, goods, or services by electronic means, or network applications.’
These relatively new laws need to be considered when getting your influencer license UAE.
So it’s a huge industry, particularly active in the UAE, and as long as you play by the rules it’s well worth looking into.
In this article, we will discuss:
•Influencer license Dubai
•How to get your influencer license in the UAE
•Influencer license cost
•Setting up your influencer license with Creative Zone
Influencer license Dubai
It’s important to note that, as an influencer, if you do any type of paid or unpaid promotional work then in order to continue to legally operate in the UAE you need a license. Your work might include anything at all where you receive something for free from companies, even if they are classified as ‘gifts’.
Failing to have the correct license could result in a fine. The official name of the social media license UAE is the E-Media license.
How to get your influencer license in the UAE
To start the process towards getting your social media influencer license Dubai, UAE, you first need to apply for your trade license. You can do this directly to the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) or to a UAE free zone.
For many, setting up in a free zone is the most cost-effective approach as they offer benefits such as a quick and easy incorporation process, business support, tax exemptions and no currency restrictions. (You are also able to apply for an influencer license Dubai, UAE if you currently have a valid freelancer license – a freelancer license can be obtained from a UAE free zone and can be a cost-efficient way of working.)
If you take the route of applying for a trade license, then you will need to select a company name. The UAE is fairly strict when it comes to naming companies, so it’s important to be aware of the regulations. Essentially, you must avoid any language that could be seen as offensive or blasphemous. You must avoid any name that is already held by a well-known organisation. If you’re naming your company after yourself, ensure that you don’t abbreviate your name. So Jennifer Smith Marketing is fine, but J Smith Marketing is not. Of course you will also need to ensure your chosen company name is still available for you to register. This part of the process, like many others, is much smoother if you choose to set up with a company formation specialist like Creative Zone.
Since you will need to hold a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID prior to applying for your social media influencer license Dubai, UAE, it’s worth continuing to work with your company formation specialist to finish off the final step which is getting your influencer license from the NMC. This ensures that everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
Having a one-stop-shop that can take you through the whole process – your trade license, your Emirates ID, your visa, and your social media influencer license – can cut a lot of the stress out of the process, allowing you to focus on your business.
It’s worth noting, as the holder of a UAE trade license, you can also sponsor others – whether that is a spouse, a parent, child, or a domestic worker.
Influencer license cost
There are costs involved in setting up as a social media influencer, although it is quite reasonable.
Most reports put the cost of an influencer e-media license at around AED 15,000 which would be valid for 12 months.
Working with Creative Zone
Now is the time to get involved in the UAE’s social media influencer marketplace.
While the steps to set up as a UAE influencer are not too complicated, a certain amount of prior knowledge is required. Specifically, it’s vital to ensure that your application for your business/visa/ social media influencer license are all completely free from mistakes.
This can be somewhat stressful, so as we have advised throughout this article, the fast-track to getting up and running is through working with a company formation specialist.
They can also help you with opening a corporate bank account and also offer important advice on the type of financial institution that would best suit your requirements.
Here at Creative Zone, we offer you the best solutions to start your company in Dubai. You get fast, reliable and unbiased advice on your unique business setup requirements. We can help you choose the right kind of license for business activity and take you through the entire process from start to finish.
You can let us deal with the hassle of registering a company while you focus on your business. And working with us means you get the best budget friendly and cost-effective solution to help make your business dream a reality.
Over 10 years, Creative Zone has helped over 36,000 entrepreneurs set up their businesses in Dubai. Whether it be a mainland business setup, offshore company setup, free zone company setup or issuing of trade licenses and any related activity for registering a company in Dubai, Creative Zone is your one-stop-shop.
