Starting 1 February 2026, anyone who publishes promotional content in the United Arab Emirates—whether they are a home-based influencer, a multinational brand’s marketing manager or an overseas agency targeting UAE residents—must hold an Advertiser Permit issued by the UAE Media Council. The new requirement, created under Federal Media Law No. 55 of 2023, applies to both paid and unpaid endorsements across social networks, blogs, podcasts, websites and other digital platforms. Violators face fines of up to AED 1 million and possible account suspension. (gulfnews.com)
The permit is separate from the existing e-media licence that many influencers already carry. Applicants (including expatriates on work or family visas) must submit passport and Emirates-ID copies, a UAE bank-account IBAN, sample content and—if they are not sole traders—a copy of their commercial licence. The annual fee is AED 5,000, and processing time is about five working days, according to the Media Council’s FAQ. Holders must display the permit number in their social-media bio and on paid posts. (m.economictimes.com)
For professionals who must pair the Advertiser Permit with the correct entry status—whether a short visit for a photo shoot or a longer remote-work stay—VisaHQ offers a streamlined, fully digital way to apply for UAE visas and related documents. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets creators, agencies and corporate mobility teams upload paperwork, receive expert checks and track applications in real time, reducing lead times and the risk of last-minute travel delays.
![UAE enforces Advertiser Permit for all social-media promotions starting today]()
For global-mobility managers, the regulation closes a compliance gap that had grown as more foreign remote workers and digital nomads used Dubai and Abu Dhabi as bases while monetising audiences abroad. HR teams should audit expatriate employees who moonlight online, update social-media policies and, where appropriate, budget for the new permit fee as part of assignment packages.
Brands that invite overseas creators to shoot campaigns in the UAE will now need to factor in both the Advertiser Permit and the usual visit- or work-permit formalities. Agencies say it is prudent to apply at least two weeks before launch dates and to retain screenshots of every paid promotion for at least a year in case of inspections.
Although enforcement will initially focus on commercial posts, lawyers expect the Media Council to expand spot-checks to employee-advocacy and internal-communications campaigns. Companies that fail to regularise their staff’s online promotions risk reputational damage and immigration audits, because work-permit status and tax residency are increasingly cross-checked against digital-content activity.
The permit is separate from the existing e-media licence that many influencers already carry. Applicants (including expatriates on work or family visas) must submit passport and Emirates-ID copies, a UAE bank-account IBAN, sample content and—if they are not sole traders—a copy of their commercial licence. The annual fee is AED 5,000, and processing time is about five working days, according to the Media Council’s FAQ. Holders must display the permit number in their social-media bio and on paid posts. (m.economictimes.com)
For professionals who must pair the Advertiser Permit with the correct entry status—whether a short visit for a photo shoot or a longer remote-work stay—VisaHQ offers a streamlined, fully digital way to apply for UAE visas and related documents. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets creators, agencies and corporate mobility teams upload paperwork, receive expert checks and track applications in real time, reducing lead times and the risk of last-minute travel delays.
For global-mobility managers, the regulation closes a compliance gap that had grown as more foreign remote workers and digital nomads used Dubai and Abu Dhabi as bases while monetising audiences abroad. HR teams should audit expatriate employees who moonlight online, update social-media policies and, where appropriate, budget for the new permit fee as part of assignment packages.
Brands that invite overseas creators to shoot campaigns in the UAE will now need to factor in both the Advertiser Permit and the usual visit- or work-permit formalities. Agencies say it is prudent to apply at least two weeks before launch dates and to retain screenshots of every paid promotion for at least a year in case of inspections.
Although enforcement will initially focus on commercial posts, lawyers expect the Media Council to expand spot-checks to employee-advocacy and internal-communications campaigns. Companies that fail to regularise their staff’s online promotions risk reputational damage and immigration audits, because work-permit status and tax residency are increasingly cross-checked against digital-content activity.
