A mandatory requirement for all those posting promotional content on social media from January 31, here’s everything you need to know about the UAE Advertiser Permit
If you create advertising or promotional content on social media – whether it’s paid or unpaid – you now need a UAE Advertiser Permit.
First announced back in July 2025 by the UAE Media Council, the current deadline for applying for the permit is January 31, 2026. So, you don’t have long to ensure you’re compliant with the new social media permit requirements.
Here’s everything you need to know about the UAE Advertiser Permit
Who needs the UAE Advertiser Permit?
An Advertiser Permit is required for individuals who engage in advertising activities on social media platforms, whether for financial compensation or not. This covers everything from complimentary meals in exchange for social media coverage, to promoting real estate.
Citizens, residents and visitors are all required to have the permit, with separate application fees and valdity dates for visitors.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, individuals advertising their own products or services or those of a company they own via their personal accounts. So, if you’re promoting your own business or work, you don’t need the permit.
Exemptions also apply to individuals under the age of 18 who engage in educational, sports, cultural, or awareness-related activities, in line with the age classification stipulated in the relevant legislation
How much is the Advertiser Permit?
For citizens and residents, the permit is free of charge for the first three years, as a form of support for advertising content creators. A permit is valid for 1 year, and will need to be renewed every 12 months.
From the fourth year, the permit will be Dhs1,000 per year.
For visitors, the cost of the permit is Dhs500 and is valid for 3 months, which can be renewed for Dhs500 per each renewal
How do you get the social media permit?
For UAE residents, before you apply, you’ll need two things:
- A trade license to practice electronic media from the relevant authority
- A good conduct certificate
If you already have a relevant trade license, you can proceed straight to getting your good conduct certificate. If you don’t, there are several trade licenses you can get, which are all handily listed here by the UAE Media Council. You can either do your application online or head to the DED Cafe at Palm Strip Mall where they can help with your application. Typical fees for these trade licenses start from around Dhs1,100.
To obtain a good conduct certificate, there are two ways, depending on the emirate. For Dubai, this is done via Dubai Police at a cost of Dhs220, and can be done online or via the Dubai Police app. For all other emirates, the application should be done via the Ministry of Interior, at a rate of Dhs50.
Once you’ve got your trade license and good conduct certificate, you can do your application online here via the UAE Media Council website. The Council reviews the application within three working days after submission of all required documents.
Visiting content creators must apply for a “Visiting Advertiser Permit.” Registration as a visiting advertiser must be completed through a licensed advertising agency or talent management agency authorised to operate in the UAE and approved by the Council.
What to do once you’ve got your permit
Once your social media advertiser permit has been approved, there are a number of regulations you need to stick to.
As per the UAE Media Council, permit holders must:
- Comply with media content standards
- Ensure that the advertiser is not a fake company, a person using a pseudonym, or that the agreement was not conducted through a bank account with a fictitious or fraudulent identity
- Clearly display the permit number on their social media accounts
- Only publish advertisements through accounts registered with the Council and linked to the issued permit
- Not allow any other person or party to advertise through their registered account
- Obtain approval from relevant authorities before publishing any advertisement, if required by applicable laws
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