Social media influencing is big business around the world. A\nconservative estimate values the market at around USD 1.3bn \u2013 a figure that is\nexpected to double by 2020. Other studies have thrown up much higher figures in\nthe region of USD 10bn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whichever figure is correct, there\u2019s no escaping the fact\nthat there is money to be made on social media. Here in the UAE, influencers\ncharge an average of USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 for a single post with some\ncommanding fees of up to USD 10,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the market has grown so too has the legislation within\nit. Last year, the UAE National Media Council (NMC) introduced new measures\naimed at making the influencer industry more professional and transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new rules require any influencer who is paid directly\nfor their posts to obtain both a trade license and UAE influencer license \u2013\notherwise known as a social media license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the application\ncan be complex, with the right guidance you can apply for your trade and social\nmedia influencer license in Dubai, UAE, and be ready to trade within a matter\nof weeks. Here\u2019s how to make your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applying for an influencer license in Dubai<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step to becoming a licensed influencer is to apply\nfor your trade license. You can apply either directly to the Dubai Department\nof Economic Development or to one of the UAE\u2019s many free zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting up in a free zone is perhaps the most cost-effective\napproach. Free zones such as Fujairah Creative City offer benefits such as a\nquick and easy incorporation process, ongoing business support and financial\nincentives such as tax exemptions and zero currency restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also apply for an influencer license in the UAE if\nyou hold a freelance permit. These can be obtained from many free zones across\nthe UAE and are often cheaper than full trade licenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you opt to apply for a trade license and set up a\ncompany, the next step is to choose a company name. This takes a little more\nthought in the UAE than in other parts of the world. Why? Because the UAE has a\nstrict, yet easy to follow, set of naming conventions. An expert in company\nformation can help you make sure you adhere to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, you should avoid any offensive or blasphemous\nlanguage. Avoid names of well-known organisations and avoid abbreviations if\nnaming your company after yourself \u2013 i.e. Dave Mann Consulting, rather than D\nMann Consulting. You must also check that your chosen name is available to\nregister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are setting up as a freelancer, then this step is not\nnecessary as your company name is simply your own name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Making your visa application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need to hold a UAE residency visa and Emirates ID\nbefore you can apply for a social media license in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process for applying for your own visa, as well as those\nof your employees, is particular, yet straightforward. It is advisable to work\nwith an expert in UAE company formation when making your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the holder of a UAE trade license, you can also sponsor\nothers for their visas too. This could be a spouse, parent or child, or a\ndomestic worker such as a housekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The maximum number of visas you can apply for will depend on\nthe size of your company, your chosen setup and, for dependant visas, your\npersonal earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applying for your social media influencer license in\nDubai, UAE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The final step is to apply to the NMC for your influencer\nlicense. You can either do so via the NMC website or work with a company\nformation specialist who can manage all your applications for you \u2013 trade\nlicense, Emirates ID, visa, and influencer license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before making your application, you need to ensure that you\nmeet the eligibility criteria. You must be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of your application, you must provide the NMC with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the social media\ninfluencer license in Dubai is an e-license, the entire application process\ntakes just 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Influencer license cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several costs involved in obtaining a UAE\ninfluencer license. However, that\u2019s not to say the license is overly costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should you choose to set up in Fujairah Creative City Free\nZone, for example, you can get a media trade license for just AED 18,000 \u2013 this\nprice includes eligibility for two visa. If you wish to add use of the free\nzone\u2019s co-working facilities, the total cost rises to just AED 21,675<\/p>\n\n\n\n The National Media Council (NMC) in the UAE made it\nmandatory in 2018 not only Social Media Influencers but all parties who\nundertake paid or unpaid form of advertising, news dissemination, brand\npromotion and the like online will now need to secure a E-Media license from\nthe NMC. The NMC fee is AED 2775 and has to be renewed annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you an influencer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the industry on the rise and the licensing process\nbecoming less complex, now is the time to get involved in the UAE\u2019s social\nmedia influencer marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having said that, while the steps needed to set up as an\ninfluencer in the UAE are not overly complex, it does require a level of prior\nknowledge of the process. What\u2019s more, it is important to note that the\napplication process is only straightforward if your business, visa and\ninfluencer applications are complete at the time of submission and free from\nerrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you ensure that this is the case, it\u2019s a good idea\nto work with a company formation specialist when establishing a new company in\nthe UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as handling your license application, a company\nformation expert can also assist with the opening of corporate bank accounts\nand advise on the most appropriate financial institution to suit your specific\nneeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many also offer visa and immigration services and can handle\nall government formalities, permissions, work permits and visas applications\nthat are required to trade in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, company formation experts can establish your\ncompany on your behalf, make your license and visa applications, and take care\nof all the necessary admin \u2013 leaving you free to concentrate on what you do\nbest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Social media influencing is big business around the world. A conservative estimate values the market at around USD 1.3bn \u2013 a figure that is expected to double by 2020. Other studies have thrown up much higher figures in the region of USD 10bn. Whichever figure is correct, there\u2019s no escaping the fact that there is money to be made on social media. Here in the UAE, influencers charge an average of USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 for a single post with some commanding fees of up to USD 10,000. As the market has grown so too has the legislation within […]<\/p>\n