On May 29, 2025, the UAE officially introduced a new law for social media content creators and influencers.
This landmark law makes a clear distinction between:
- Hobbyists creating content for fun, and
- Professionals who earn money through social media, brand deals, or digital advertising.
If you are a content creator, influencer, or an agency working with them, these new rules will affect you directly. Here we explain the UAE’s New Law for Social Media Content Creators in detail.
🔑 New Law for Social Media Content Creators in UAE: Licensing Requirements
The law introduces three mandatory licenses/permits depending on your activity.
1. Business License
- Issued by free zones or local economic departments.
- Required to register as a business and secure visa support.
- Cost: AED 5,000 – AED 15,000 (varies by emirate/free zone).
2. Media License
- Issued by the UAE Media Council.
- Allows you to legally create and share paid content.
- Cost: AED 1,000 per year.
3. Advertiser (Mu’lin) Permit (effective July 2025)
- Required for any promotional content — paid or unpaid.
- Valid for 3 years (currently free during transition).
- Permit number must be displayed on your account and posts.
- Visitors can obtain a 3-month temporary permit via UAE-approved agencies.
👉 Bottom line: If you earn money from social media, you must have all three licenses/permits.
👥 Who Needs These Licenses?
- Influencers monetizing Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, or X (Twitter).
- Agencies managing influencer accounts.
- Content creators doing brand deals, product endorsements, or ads.
- Creators earning via YouTube/Meta ad revenue or affiliate marketing.
⚖️ Types of Violations & Penalties
The law defines two categories of violations with escalating penalties.
Schedule 1: Licensing Violations
Examples:
- Advertising without a valid permit.
- Providing false information to obtain a license.
- Breaching UAE advertising rules.
Penalties:
- Written warnings.
- Fines up to AED 100,000.
- Repeat violations → higher fines & business suspension.
Schedule 2: Media Content Violations
🟥 Category (a) – Most Serious
Fines: AED 30,000 – 1,000,000
- Disrespecting religions, UAE government, or laws.
- Content harming UAE foreign relations or national unity.
- Promoting terrorism, hatred, or violence.
🟧 Category (b) – Serious
Fines: AED 20,000 – 150,000
- Violating privacy rights.
- Disrespecting UAE culture or values.
- Promoting illegal activities (rape, murder, drugs).
- Offending UAE’s economy or currency.
🟨 Category (c) – Less Serious
Fines: AED 5,000 – 100,000
- Spreading fake news or rumors.
- Content harmful to youth.
- Breaching advertising ethics (e.g., cultural insensitivity).
- Ignoring age ratings or children’s protection rules.
🏛️ New Committee for Media Oversight
The Committee for the Violations of Media Content Standards has been created under the UAE Media Council.
- Reviews content violations.
- Issues warnings or fines.
- Gives creators time to correct/remove content.
- Allows appeals through the Media Council or local authorities.
🎯 Why This Law Exists
The UAE wants to professionalize influencer marketing and protect digital consumers.
Objectives:
- Make online advertising transparent & credible.
- Support creators with visas, grants, and legal recognition.
- Ensure brands collaborate with licensed professionals.
- Prevent misinformation and harmful content.
📌 Extra Rules for Advertiser Permit Holders
Permit holders must:
- Follow media content rules strictly.
- Verify advertiser identities.
- Display permit number on social accounts.
- Publish ads only from registered accounts.
- Submit annual ad activity reports.
- Comply with tax registration requirements.
🤝 What This Means for Agencies & Brands
If you’re an agency or advertiser working with influencers:
- ✅ Verify permits before signing collaborations.
- ✅ Promote only via licensed influencer accounts.
- ✅ Ensure proper ad disclosures to avoid penalties.
✅ Benefits for Agencies & Brands
- Legal Safety: No risk of penalties.
- Higher Trust: Clients respect licensed professionals.
- Professional Quality: Better content, more responsible creators.
- Lower Risk: Avoid blocked ads or banned accounts.
- Better ROI: Licensed influencers follow rules → stronger campaign impact.
🚀 How Creators Can Stay Ahead
- Apply for a trade or freelance license if monetizing content.
- Pre-register with the UAE Media Council for your Media License.
- Display your Advertiser Permit clearly on all accounts.
- Partner only with licensed agencies and brands.
❓ Who is Exempt?
- Individuals promoting their own business/products.
- Creators under 18 years old posting educational, cultural, or awareness content.
📊 Wrapping Up
The May 2025 new law for social media content creators is a game-changer. It makes the UAE’s digital creator economy:
- Organized
- Transparent
- Professional
By enforcing licenses and permits, the UAE ensures:
- Clients trust influencers.
- Influencers avoid penalties.
- Brands achieve better results.
Other countries in the region are watching closely — and may follow the UAE’s lead soon.
New Law for Social Media Content Creators: FAQs
❓ Do hobby creators need a license?
No. If you are not monetizing your content, you are exempt.
❓ What if I post ads without an Advertiser Permit?
You risk warnings, heavy fines, and even account restrictions.
❓ I am a foreign influencer visiting UAE. Can I post brand content?
Yes, but you need a temporary 3-month permit via an approved UAE agency.
❓ Do I need all three permits?
If you are monetizing content: Yes. Business License + Media License + Advertiser Permit.
❓ How much does it cost?
- Business License: AED 5,000 – AED 15,000
- Media License: AED 1,000/year
- Advertiser Permit: Free (during transition, later pricing TBD)
❓ Can brands be penalized too?
Yes. If they work with unlicensed influencers, brands can also face fines.
