Tools / For business
Influencer licence: do I need one?
You post an ad for a shop or product on your account — paid or free? Since February 2026 the UAE Media Council's «advertiser permit» is mandatory, and free for the first three years. Answer four questions to know whether you need it, the conditions, and the fine for posting without it — from the Cabinet resolution itself.
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Launched 30 July 2025 · mandatory from 1 February 2026 · free for the first 3 years for citizens and residents
Conditions
Obligations
Fines (Cabinet Resolution 42/2025)
Abu Dhabi: a separate local permit (Abu Dhabi Media Office) and a fine for companies working with the unlicensed (10,000 per reports). Dubai: Dubai Media Council.
How to use it
- Answer: do you post promotional content for others? Paid? Your age? Citizen, resident or visitor?
- Read the result: permit needed or exempt, with the conditions and documents.
- See the fines table and the official links to apply.
Questions
I promote my own shop on my account — do I need a permit?
No. The Council exempts people promoting their own product, service or a company they own through their personal account. The permit is for those showing promotional content for others — paid or free.
How much does it cost?
Free for the first three years for citizens and residents from its launch (30 July 2025). The renewal fee after that is reported as AED 1,000 a year, but we haven't read the official fee text (Resolution 41/2025), so we don't confirm it.
What is the fine for posting an ad without a permit?
Cabinet Resolution 42/2025, item 11: a written warning the first time, AED 20,000 the second, 50,000 the third, doubling thereafter. Continuing after the permit expires: 10,000 then 20,000. Breaching the advertising rules themselves: 20,000 then 50,000.
Is Abu Dhabi the same?
Abu Dhabi has a separate local permit from the Abu Dhabi Media Office, and a fine for companies collaborating with an unlicensed influencer (AED 10,000 per reports). Dubai: Dubai Media Council; check its requirements.
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