Last updated: October 2026. Activity codes, fees and legal references below were checked against a July 2026 copy of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism register, the Dubai Development Authority's licensing decision, National Media Authority service pages and BusinessDubai.ae's 2026 price list in October 2026.
There is no such thing as a "PR agency licence" in Dubai. There is a trade licence that carries a public relations activity, such as Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) code 7020001 Public Relations Management [1] or Dubai Media City activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency, in a segment the Dubai Development Authority prices at AED 15,000 a year [2]. Then there is a federal media law that attaches to what your agency publishes, with fines of AED 20,000 for a first breach of its advertising conditions and AED 50,000 for a second [5].
Most guides ranking for PR agency licence Dubai still name a regulator that no longer exists, quote "media licence" fees nobody publishes, and skip the influencer, disclosure and VAT rules that decide whether a campaign is legal and profitable. Get the activity wrong and you pay to amend the licence. Get the media rules wrong and the fine lands on your campaign.
Since 2013, BusinessDubai.ae has set up companies across every emirate. This guide covers the DET and free zone activity codes, Dubai Media City in its own regulator's words, the media law and the National Media Authority, influencer permits and paid-content disclosure, the cheaper non-Dubai zones, mainland versus free zone, corporate tax and VAT, and what year one and year two cost.
What licence does a PR agency need in Dubai in 2026?
A Dubai PR agency licenses under DET activity 7020001 Public Relations Management, a Professional activity, on the mainland [1], or under Dubai Media City segment 18.2 Media & Marketing Services, activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency, at AED 15,000 a year for up to four activities under DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 [2]. Campaign content then falls under the federal media law.
That gives you two layers, decided by different bodies. The trade licence comes from DET on the mainland, from the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) in Dubai Media City, or from another zone's own register [2]. The media layer is federal: Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 regulating media, its executive regulation, the fines decision and the National Media Authority (NMA) that administers them [3][4][5][6]. That layer ignores which zone issued your licence. It follows what you publish, whom you pay to publish it, and whether the content is labelled as advertising.
| Layer | Who decides | What it fixes | Published fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade licence, mainland | DET | Activity code, licence class (Professional or Commercial), visa route | Package price; see the cost section |
| Trade licence, Dubai Media City | DDA | Segment, up to four activities in segment 18.2 | AED 15,000 a year for segment 18.2 [2] |
| Media framework | NMA under Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 | Content standards, advertising conditions, permits for advertisers | Permit fees per service [8][9][10] |
| Influencer permits | NMA | Each creator's right to publish paid content | Free for 3 years then AED 1,000 (resident); AED 500 (visitor) [9][10] |
The table separates what you buy once from what follows every campaign.
Which activity codes fit a PR agency, and which do you need to add?
The core mainland code for a Dubai PR agency is DET 7020001 Public Relations Management (Professional). Agencies that also write and distribute press material, run social media, or organise press events add 6399001, 6202101 or 8230009, and paid advertising on websites sits under 7310026, which DET classes as Commercial, not Professional [1].
The DET register describes 7020001 as covering "firms perform as connecting link between commercial entities and the media to introduce and shed light on their activities and achievements as well as promoting corporate image through leaflets, produce information reflecting transparency, establish positive relations with customers by visits and participation in gatherings, enhance their employees sense of belonging" [1]. That is classic media relations and corporate communications. It does not mention advertising placement, influencer contracting or events.
The table lists the codes a PR agency is most likely to need, as recorded in a public copy of the DET register [1].
| DET code | Activity | Licence class | What it adds to a PR agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7020001 | Public Relations Management | Professional | Media relations, corporate image, stakeholder communications |
| 6399001 | Press Materials Editing & Distributing | Professional | Press interviews, reports and research prepared and distributed to newspapers and magazines |
| 7320002 | Marketing Management | Professional | Marketing advice on planning, pricing and outlets; the register adds digital marketing, and bars selling the products promoted |
| 6202101 | Marketing Services Via Social Media | Professional | Social media plans, audience targeting, and coordinating the purchase of advertising space |
| 7310026 | Advertising Services via Websites | Commercial | Advertising and promotion through social media accounts or the internet |
| 8230009 | Events Organizing & Managing | Professional | Corporate events, launches, award ceremonies and press events |
6202101 is the one Professional code here whose description includes buying advertising space, so an agency managing paid social needs it alongside 7020001. 7310026 is Commercial, which changes the licence class; confirm with DET whether it can sit with 7020001 on one licence. Events carry their own permit chain, which our event management company setup guide covers.
Free zone equivalents
Free zones run their own activity registers, and the codes do not match DET's. The table shows the PR activities each register lists, from the zones' own lists [2][14][15][17].
| Zone | PR activity as listed | Related activities on the same register |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Media City (DDA) | 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency | 18.2.6 Branding and Corporate Identity, 18.2.9 Digital Marketing, 18.2.8 Social Media Platforms, 18.3.4 News Distribution Service |
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | 7020.16 Public relation services; 7310.12 Public relations consultancy; 7020.01 Marketing, public relations & communication consultancy | 7310.21 Social media consultancy; 6202.99 Marketing services via social media; 9000.11 Event organizing |
| Ajman Media City | 7020001 Public Relations Management | 7020005 Media Consultancy and Studies; 7320002 Marketing Management; 4762003 Social Media Influencer |
| twofour54 (Abu Dhabi) | Public Relations Services | Event Management variants; no code shown on the register |
| Meydan Free Zone | 7020.16; 7020.67 PR Management; 7310.12 PR Consultancy | 7310.19 Publicity; 7320.14 Media Consultancy |
When a competitor page quotes "7020.16" or "7310.12" as "the PR code", it is quoting a free zone register, not DET. The mainland code for the same service is 7020001.
Common Mistake: Selling advertising, media buying or events on a licence that only carries a PR activity. DET 7020001 describes media relations and corporate image work, not ad placement or event management [1]. If the agency will buy media, add 6202101 or the right advertising code; if it will run launches, add 8230009. Adding an activity after licensing means an amendment, a new fee line and sometimes a new approval, so map every service on your proposal to a code before you apply.
What does Dubai Media City's own licensing decision say about a PR agency?
DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 places a PR agency in Dubai Media City segment 18.2 Media & Marketing Services, priced at AED 15,000 a year for up to four activities, and sets a minimum paid-up capital of AED 10,000 for an FZ-LLC where no other figure applies [2]. The decision is published by the Dubai Development Authority.
The decision's own description of segment 18.2 is: "Provision of a number of advertising related services, including sales promotion, market research, PR and event marketing." [2] Activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency is described as "Companies that create, manage and maintain the image of a brand, communication, product or service in view of the end user using all media channels" [2].
Article 14.1 opens: "The following annual fees are applicable in respect of licences or permits issued for the following segments" [2]. The two rows that matter for a PR agency read as follows, with the segments a PR agency most often pairs with.
| DMC segment (Article 14.1) | Annual fee (AED) | Activities allowed within the segment |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising & Communication (18.1) | 20,000 | Two |
| Media & Marketing Services (18.2) | 15,000 | Four |
| Event Management (18.4) | 15,000 | Five |
| Media & Marketing Consultancy (18.6) | 15,000 | One |
| Freelancers (18.9) | 7,500 | Three |
The fee is the licence line only. The decision's Article 14.1 table does not include office or flexi-desk space, visas, establishment cards or registration charges, so a Dubai Media City package with an office and visas is quoted by the zone, not by the decision. For a fuller tour of the zone itself, see our Dubai Media City setup guide.
Segment 18.1 or segment 18.2?
Activity 18.1.1 Advertising & Communication Agency is the wider one. The decision describes it as "A company providing full range of services such as advertising, media planning, buying and placement, PR, direct marketing, sales promotion, graphic design, consultancy, speciality communication, e-services, branding and corporate identity" [2]. It costs AED 5,000 more and allows two activities, not four. A PR-led agency that does not buy media usually fits 18.2. An agency that plans and places paid media for clients is closer to 18.1.
What adding events or a second segment costs
Article 10.1 lets a licensee add a standard segment for an extra AED 10,000 a year. Segment 18 is carved out: under Article 10.2, a licensee adding it "must obtain the prior approval of the Authority and pay the standard licence fees for those activities as set out herein" [2]. Read with the fee table, a PR agency on segment 18.2 that adds 18.4 Event Management pays the standard AED 15,000 for that segment as well, not a discounted add-on.
Which Dubai Media City activities the decision ties to the federal media body
Article 3.2 of the decision names the licensees that must register with the federal media regulator: "Licensees under Publishing (Segment 19.6), Broadcasting TV (Segment 20.1), Broadcasting Radio (Segment 20.2), Social Media Platforms (Activity 18.2.8), Social Media Influencer (Activity 18.9.45), E-services (Activity 18.2.5), News Distribution Service (Activity 18.3.4) and Interactive Services (Activity 18.7.5) must register with and follow the requirements of the NMC" [2]. The decision predates the NMA, so "NMC" there refers to the federal media body of the time. Activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency is not on that list. Activity 18.2.8 Social Media Platforms, described as companies marketing "via the personal social media platforms of individual social media influencers", is [2].
Article 2.12 then adds a general duty that covers every licensee: "Licensees and Freelancers shall ensure to obtain and maintain appropriate approvals or no objection certificates from the relevant authorities in the UAE including compliance with all applicable laws, decisions, rules and regulations in the conduct of its business in the Zone." [2]
Pro Tip: Use all four slots in segment 18.2 at the start. Article 10.4 lets you add further activities from the same segment at no extra cost up to the limit, but choosing them at licensing saves an amendment later [2]. A typical PR set is 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency, 18.2.6 Branding and Corporate Identity, 18.2.9 Digital Marketing and 18.2.1 Creative Agency, all inside the same AED 15,000. Add 18.2.8 only if you will contract influencers, because that is the activity Article 3.2 ties to the federal regulator.
A solo PR consultant has one more Dubai Media City option: the freelancer segment. Activity 18.9.32 PR Specialist covers "media relations; promotional campaigns and press releases; conflict mediation through media communications either by print or broadcast", and Article 9.2 sets the freelancer permit at "AED7,500 per annum" [2].
Which law and regulator govern a PR agency's media work in 2026?
Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 regulating media is the UAE's media licensing law. Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 is its executive regulation, Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 sets violations and fines, and Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2025 established the National Media Authority, which took over the UAE Media Council's functions from 1 January 2026 [3][4][5][6].
The NMA describes its mandate as including to "Propose legislation, regulations, standards, and frameworks necessary to regulate and license media outlets and media activities, including digital media and electronic publishing, encompassing those operating in free zones" [6]. Its FAQ says it "regulates and licenses media outlets and activities within media free zones" [23]. A Dubai Media City address does not move a PR agency outside the federal rules.
| Instrument | What it does | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 | The media licensing law: licences and permits, free zone media activity, content standards, advertising | Issued 2 October 2023 | NMA legislation page [3] |
| Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 | Executive regulation: licence conditions, one-year licence term, the list of other licensable media activities (Article 27), advertising conditions (Article 33) | Effective three months after publication | NMA-hosted text [4] |
| Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 | Administrative violations and fines, by offence, with repeats doubling | Dated 16 April 2025 | NMA-hosted text [5] |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2025 | Established the National Media Authority, which took over the UAE Media Council's functions | From 1 January 2026 | NMA mandate page [6] |
| NMA media content standards | The content rules every advertisement must meet, including respect for UAE culture, identity and values | Current page | NMA [24] |
Every campaign question in this guide is answered by one of these five documents.
Does a PR agency need a National Media Authority licence?
No primary source resolves whether a PR agency needs its own National Media Authority licence. The NMA lists no PR licence, Article 27 of Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 lists media and advertising consultancy and advertisement design and production as licensable, and the DET register flags no approval on 7020001 [1][4][7]. Confirm in writing with the NMA before launch.
Here is the evidence on each side, so you can see why the question is open.
The NMA's e-services catalogue, checked on 16 October 2026, lists filming licences, media activity licences "of a commercial nature", press cards, broadcasting licences, the two Advertiser Permits and other services [7]. It lists nothing called a PR agency licence or an advertising agency licence. The commercial media licence page gives the fee as "Depends on the service" and does not say which activities it covers [8].
Against that, Article 27 of the executive regulation lists the other media activities the regulator licenses. Read in the Arabic text, the list includes media and advertising consultancies and studies, and the design and production of advertisements of all kinds, and Article 27(2) bars the licensing bodies from issuing a licence for any listed activity before the regulator approves [4]. A PR agency that sells media consultancy or produces advertisements may fall inside that list. A pure media relations office that advises clients and pitches journalists is not named.
| What your agency does | Position in the sources | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Media relations, press office, corporate and crisis communications | Not named as a licensable media activity; no approval flag on DET 7020001 or DMC 18.2.2 | [1][2][4] |
| Media and advertising consultancy, or designing and producing ads | Listed as licensable in Article 27; licensing body needs the regulator's approval first | [4] |
| Press-release distribution as a news distribution service | DMC activity 18.3.4 must register with the federal media body | [2] |
| Contracting influencers (DMC 18.2.8) | Must register with the federal media body; each creator needs an Advertiser Permit | [2][9] |
| Publishing sponsored content on the agency's own channels | Content and advertising rules apply; whether a company holds a permit is unresolved | [5][9] |
Real Talk: Nobody can tell you for certain today whether a PR firm with no ad production and no influencer work needs an NMA licence. The answer depends on how your services map to Article 27, and the regulator has not published that mapping. Write to the NMA with your exact activity list and service description, ask whether any of it is a licensable media activity, and keep the reply in your company file. It costs nothing and replaces a guess with a record.
Common Mistake: Budgeting for an "NMC licence for PR agencies" because a setup page quoted one. Four competitor pages reviewed for this guide give four different ranges for such a licence, from AED 2,000 to AED 30,000, and none cites the NMA or any legal instrument. The NMA's own page for commercial media licences says the fee "Depends on the service" [8]. Put the question to the NMA rather than a number from a sales page into your plan.
Which campaign content rules bind a PR agency?
Article 33 of Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 sets advertising conditions for persons, establishments and media institutions, including in media free zones: advertisements must be truthful, clearly identified and disclose any paid relationship. A breach is fined AED 20,000 for a first offence and AED 50,000 for a second under Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 [4][5].
Article 33 matters to a PR agency more than any licensing question, because it applies to the work itself. Paraphrasing the Arabic text, the conditions include [4]:
- No advertisement that breaches the media content standards or harms the public interest directly or indirectly.
- No vague, false or misleading claims, no exaggeration, no unsupported claims of uniqueness, and no disparaging competitors.
- Advertisements must be clearly identified and distinguished from editorial content.
- Where content directly or indirectly promotes a product or service, the advertiser must clearly disclose any material return within a commercial relationship with the owner of that product or service.
- No promotion of alcohol, prohibited drugs, or tobacco and smoking in any form.
- Prior approval from the concerned authority for advertisements on real estate, medical and health services, pharmaceuticals, securities and financial services, education and food.
That last condition catches PR agencies working for developers, clinics, brokers, schools and restaurants. The campaign needs the sector regulator's approval as well as the media rules.
The fines that apply to campaign work
The table lists the items in Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 that a PR agency's campaigns can trigger, per violation, with repeats inside a year doubling [5].
| Item | Offence | Fine (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Practising a media activity without a licence or permit | 10,000, fix within 30 days; repeat 40,000 and closure until fixed |
| 2 | Practising an additional media activity without a licence or permit | 5,000; repeat 16,000 and closure |
| 11 | A natural or juristic person publishing advertising or media content on social media without a permit | Written warning, then 20,000, then 50,000 |
| 14 | Displaying an advertisement without the concerned authority's approval | 10,000, doubling on repeat |
| 15 | Breaching the advertising conditions in Article 33 | 20,000 first; 50,000 second |
| Schedule 2, item 18 | Advertising content that does not respect UAE culture, identity and values | 20,000, 40,000, 80,000, 100,000 by grade |
One unlabelled influencer post for a clinic, published without the health regulator's approval, can touch items 14 and 15 at once.
Pro Tip: Build Article 33 into your client contract, not just your workflow. Make the client confirm in writing that any sector approval for real estate, health, finance, education or food advertising is in hand before content goes live, and make every creator agreement require a clear paid-content label. If something goes wrong, the file shows who held which obligation [4][5].
Which permits do influencers need, and where does the agency sit?
The National Media Authority issues two Advertiser Permits for individuals: a resident permit, free for the first three years and AED 1,000 after that, which requires a commercial licence, and a visitor permit at AED 500 for up to three months, applied for "through a licensed advertising agency in the UAE" [9][10]. Each creator in a paid campaign needs one.
The NMA's resident permit page says it "allows individuals to publish advertising and media content through their social media accounts, websites, or other modern digital platforms, either for compensation or free of charge" [9]. The requirements listed are a digital ID, passport, personal photo and a commercial licence, plus completion of the regulator's training programme. Delivery is three working days [9].
| Permit | Who holds it | Fee | Term | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertiser Permit (individual) | A creator resident in the UAE | Free for the first 3 years; AED 1,000 after | Renewable | Directly with the NMA; commercial licence required [9] |
| Visitor Advertiser Permit | A visiting creator aged 18 or over | AED 500 | 3 months, extendable to a total of 6 months | "Submit the application through a licensed advertising agency in the UAE" [10] |
The agency's exposure
The permit pages are written for individuals. The fines decision is wider. Item 11 of Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 applies to a natural or juristic person, meaning a company as well as an individual, that publishes advertising or media content on social media without a permit: a written warning, then AED 20,000, then AED 50,000 [5]. Whether a company can or must hold an Advertiser Permit in its own name is not answered by either text, so put that question to the NMA too.
Two named sources describe the agency's position in practical terms. Middle East Briefing, published by Dezan Shira & Associates on 2 February 2026, advises brands and agencies to "Verify that influencers and advertisers hold valid permits before engagement" and says liability may attach where they do not [12]. Gulf News, reporting on visiting creators on 24 July 2026, describes the agency submitting a visitor permit as the creator's representative and "responsible for ensuring that all contractual obligations are met" [11]. Neo Legal, writing on influencer marketing agencies in September 2026, puts the agency's trade licence first: the activity must cover what the agency sells [13].
Storyboard18 reported in December 2025 that the then Media Council signed agreements with four agencies to apply for permits on behalf of creators [25]. How an agency becomes approved to file visitor permits is not set out on the NMA pages reviewed for this guide.
Real Talk: A campaign that uses a creator without a valid Advertiser Permit is not a grey area you can price in. The creator faces the item 11 fines, the post can breach Article 33 if the paid relationship is not disclosed, and the fines decision's wording reaches juristic persons, which includes companies [4][5]. The NMA issues the resident permit in three working days, free for the first three years [9]. Check every creator's permit before you sign them, and walk away from the ones who will not show it.
Our guide to the best free zones for media companies covers the permit mechanics in more depth, and the digital marketing agency guide covers paid social as a standalone business.
Which zones outside Dubai can license a PR agency?
SHAMS in Sharjah lists several PR activities with no regulator approval flag and costs AED 6,885 licence only or AED 14,255 with one visa on BusinessDubai.ae's 2026 price list [26]. Ajman Media City lists DET-style PR codes and publishes its own packages [15][16]. Abu Dhabi's twofour54 lists Public Relations Services and quotes fees on application [17].
These are non-Dubai options, for agencies that do not need a Dubai address or whose visa count matters more than the postcode.
| Zone | Emirate | PR activities on the register | Price | Approval flags on the register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | Sharjah | 7020.16, 7310.12, 7020.01 | AED 6,885 licence only; AED 14,255 with one visa; AED 18,705 with two (5 activities, 5 shareholders) [26] | Only 1811.05 Printing, Advertising Agencies and Event Organizing flagged for NMA approval [14] |
| Ajman Media City | Ajman | 7020001 Public Relations Management; 7020005 Media Consultancy and Studies | Visionary package AED 12,999 with one visa, renewal AED 8,999, published by the zone [16] | Confirm with the zone [15] |
| Ajman Free Zone and ANC Free Zone | Ajman | Confirm the PR activity on the zone's list | Ajman Free Zone AED 5,555 / 13,131; ANC AED 4,888 / 10,800 (licence only / one visa) [26] | Confirm with the zone |
| twofour54 | Abu Dhabi | Public Relations Services | Quoted on application [17] | Not stated |
SHAMS is the clearest of the three on the media question: its register marks only one activity, 1811.05, as needing National Media Authority approval, and its PR codes carry no flag [14]. Our SHAMS free zone setup guide covers the zone in full, and our business setup in Sharjah page prices it against the other Sharjah zones.
Ajman Media City publishes its packages on its own site, which most zones do not [16]. If the lowest complete package with one visa is the goal, BusinessDubai.ae's cheapest option is ANC Free Zone in Ajman at AED 10,800, and our business setup in Ajman page compares it with Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City. The Ajman Media City setup guide shows what each AMC tier includes. For Abu Dhabi's media cluster and twofour54, start with our business setup in Abu Dhabi page.
Quick Math: Compare like for like, on the one-visa column. SHAMS at AED 14,255 with one visa against Meydan Free Zone at AED 21,050 with one visa is a gap of AED 6,795 a year [26]. Against Dubai Media City the comparison waits for the zone's quote, because the decision gives only the AED 15,000 segment fee [2]. What the saving cannot buy is a Dubai address.
Should a PR agency set up on the mainland or in a free zone?
A Dubai mainland PR agency costs AED 18,200 in year one without a visa or AED 24,400 with one on BusinessDubai.ae's package, against AED 12,500 licence only or AED 21,050 with one visa at Meydan Free Zone [26]. The decision turns on where your clients sit, which events and media activities you add, and how many visas you need.
The table sets out the factors that differ for a PR business.
| Factor | Dubai free zone | Dubai mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Licence, no visa | From AED 12,500 (Meydan, Dubai South, Expo City) | AED 18,200 in year one |
| Licence with one visa | AED 21,050 (Meydan); AED 21,400 (IFZA, partner price) | AED 24,400 in year one |
| Year two | About 80% of year one | About AED 15,000 on renewal |
| PR activity | Zone code, e.g. DMC 18.2.2 or Meydan 7020.16 | DET 7020001 Professional |
| Media City address and peers | Dubai Media City only | No |
| Contracting directly with mainland clients | Depends on the zone's rules and the client's procurement rules | Direct |
| Federal media law and fines | Apply in full | Apply in full |
| Corporate tax | Ordinary rates; PR is not a Qualifying Activity | Ordinary rates |
The tax and media rows are identical on both routes. Cost, address and client contracting are what move.
If your target clients are UAE corporates and government entities, ask their procurement teams early whether they register free zone suppliers or require a mainland trade licence, because that answer decides the route faster than any price list. If your clients are mostly overseas brands entering the region, the free zone cost advantage and a Media City address may matter more. Our mainland company setup page itemises the DET route, and our free zone company setup page compares the Dubai zones on the visa column, including the second visa where IFZA and Meydan diverge.
Real Talk: At IFZA and Meydan Free Zone, an investor visa now requires the shareholder to show capital of at least AED 75,000 in a bank account, in the UAE or at home [26]. A solo consultant planning to live on the visa should check that figure before choosing either zone on price, because it can decide the route on its own.
How is a PR agency taxed in the UAE?
A UAE PR agency pays corporate tax at 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above, whether licensed on the mainland or in a free zone, because public relations and advertising are not on the Qualifying Activities list in Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 [18][19]. Small Business Relief applies at revenue at or under AED 3,000,000.
Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 sets the Qualifying Activities as a closed list. It opens "the following activities conducted by a Qualifying Free Zone Person shall be considered Qualifying Activities" and runs from "Manufacturing of goods or materials" to "Logistics services", plus "Any activities that are ancillary to the Qualifying Activities specified in paragraphs (a) to (m) of this Clause." [18] Public relations, advertising, marketing and consultancy are not on it. The only item an agency could touch is "Headquarter services to Related Parties", which covers group companies, not third-party clients [18].
So a free zone PR agency whose income is client fees cannot pass the de minimis test (non-qualifying income at the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5,000,000) and is simply an ordinary taxable person: 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above [18][19]. Our Qualifying Free Zone Person guide explains the regime for the businesses it does fit.
Small Business Relief
Small Business Relief lets a resident business with revenue at or under AED 3,000,000 elect to be treated as having no taxable income, for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, under Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023 as amended by Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 [20]. The test is revenue, not profit, which matters for an agency that passes freelancer and media costs through its books. It is not available to a Qualifying Free Zone Person, which does not affect a PR agency that is not one. Our Small Business Relief guide covers the election.
| Tax item | Position for a PR agency | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 0% to AED 375,000 of taxable income; 9% above | [19] |
| Qualifying Free Zone Person 0% | Not available on client PR income; PR is not a Qualifying Activity | [18] |
| Small Business Relief | Revenue at or under AED 3,000,000; periods ending on or before 31 December 2029 | [20] |
| Late corporate tax registration | AED 10,000 penalty | [19] |
| VAT | 5%; mandatory registration at AED 375,000, voluntary at AED 187,500 | [19] |
Quick Math: Take an agency with eight clients on AED 25,000 a month. Revenue is AED 2,400,000, under the AED 3,000,000 line, so with Small Business Relief elected the corporate tax is nil [20]. Without the election, on a 25% margin, taxable income of AED 600,000 would cost 9% of AED 225,000, or AED 20,250 [19]. Add four more clients: revenue reaches AED 3,600,000, relief is gone, and AED 900,000 of taxable income costs 9% of AED 525,000, or AED 47,250.
The client numbers in that example are illustrative. For scale, uaefreezonefinder advertised media-relations retainers of AED 15,000 to 60,000 a month in August 2026; treat any published range as a sales claim, not a market rate.
When does VAT apply to a PR retainer, and when does zero-rating fail?
A UAE PR agency charges 5% VAT once registered, with mandatory registration at AED 375,000 of taxable supplies [19]. Fees to a non-resident client can be zero-rated as exported services, but PwC and Andersen note that zero-rating can fail where another person foreseeably receives the service in the UAE, which is exactly what a campaign aimed at UAE audiences does [21][22].
The rule sits in Article 31 of the VAT executive regulation, as amended by Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2024. PwC's summary of the Federal Tax Authority's public clarification VATP040 sets out the conditions: the recipient has no place of residence in the UAE and is outside the UAE when the service is performed, and a short presence in the UAE counts as "outside" only if it is not effectively connected with the supply [21]. Andersen's alert adds that zero-rating can fail if it is reasonably foreseeable that another person will receive the services in the UAE, unless that person could recover the input tax in full [22].
A PR agency is unusually exposed to both tests. The client may be a London head office, but the point of the work is coverage, events and reputation in the UAE. Neither source addresses PR specifically, so applying the tests to your contracts is a judgment, and the Federal Tax Authority's private clarification route exists for it.
Common Mistake: Zero-rating every invoice to a foreign client by default. If the benefit of the campaign is received in the UAE, or the client's team is effectively in the UAE for the work, the FTA can treat the supply as standard-rated at 5%, and the agency owes VAT it never charged [21][22]. Write the service location and beneficiary into the engagement letter and decide the VAT treatment per contract.
Our guide to zero-rated exported services works through the conditions, and the VAT registration and compliance guide covers thresholds, returns and penalties. Getting VAT and corporate tax right from the first invoice is cheaper than correcting it later, and a short call with an adviser can model your position→
How much does it cost to set up a PR agency in Dubai in 2026?
A Dubai mainland PR agency costs AED 18,200 in year one without a visa and AED 24,400 with one on BusinessDubai.ae's package, renewing at about AED 15,000. Dubai Media City's licence line for segment 18.2 is AED 15,000 a year [2]. Meydan Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 licence only and AED 21,050 with one visa [26].
The table itemises the figures that can be stated from a published source or BusinessDubai.ae's price list, with what each one includes.
| Cost item | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai mainland package, no visa | 18,200 | BusinessDubai.ae year-one package, DET licence with 7020001 [26] |
| Dubai mainland package, one visa | 24,400 | BusinessDubai.ae year-one package [26] |
| Dubai Media City segment 18.2 licence | 15,000 a year | Licence line only, up to four activities; office, visas and registration quoted by the zone [2] |
| Adding DMC segment 18.4 Event Management | 15,000 a year | Standard fee under Article 10.2, with prior approval [2] |
| Dubai Media City FZ-LLC minimum paid-up capital | 10,000 | Article 15.1 default; capital, not a fee [2] |
| Meydan Free Zone, no visa / one visa | 12,500 / 21,050 | 3 activities, 3 shareholders [26] |
| IFZA, one visa / two visas | 21,400 / 24,600 | Partner price; IFZA publishes no prices [26] |
| Advertiser Permit, resident creator | 0, then 1,000 | Free for 3 years; held by the creator [9] |
| Visitor Advertiser Permit | 500 | Per creator, filed through a licensed advertising agency [10] |
| NMA commercial media licence | Not published | "Depends on the service" [8] |
| Year two, Dubai mainland | About 15,000 | BusinessDubai.ae renewal estimate [26] |
| Year two, Dubai free zone | About 80% of year one | Confirm the standard renewal price, not a launch discount [26] |
These are setup and licence lines only; office rent beyond the package, salaries and tools sit on top.
Quick Math: For a solo consultant with one visa, the Dubai mainland package at AED 24,400 is AED 3,350 more than Meydan Free Zone at AED 21,050 in year one [26]. If the consultant needs a Dubai Media City address, the segment fee alone is AED 15,000 before any office or visa, so the comparison has to wait for the zone's quote [2]. At the second visa, IFZA's AED 24,600 is AED 3,000 below Meydan's AED 27,600, which makes IFZA the price leader for a two-person agency [26].
For an itemised quote across the mainland and two or three zones, priced on your activity list and visa count, get a free setup quote→
What does a PR agency renew and file every year?
A Dubai PR agency renews its trade licence and visas every year, files a corporate tax return, files VAT returns once registered, and, if it holds an NMA media licence, renews that licence for another calendar year before expiry to avoid fines of AED 150 a day, capped at AED 3,000 [4][5][19]. Creators' permits renew on their own cycle.
The annual calendar for a PR agency has five lines:
- Trade licence renewal, with DET or the zone, at about AED 15,000 on the mainland package or about 80% of year one in a Dubai free zone [26].
- Visa renewals for the founder and staff, on each visa's own date.
- Corporate tax return, with Small Business Relief elected on the return where revenue qualifies [20].
- VAT returns for each tax period once registered [19].
- Media licence renewal, if the agency holds one, before the last 30 days of its calendar-year term [4].
Two campaign-level checks run alongside: every creator's Advertiser Permit, which becomes AED 1,000 after the first three years [9], and any sector approval a client's advertisement needs under Article 33 [4].
Year two is when renewals, the first tax return and the visa cycle tend to collide. Our post-setup services team handles licence and visa renewals, corporate tax and VAT filings, so the calendar runs without landing on a launch week. Banking is the other early task; our corporate bank account guide covers which banks open readily for new service companies.
Which setup fits your type of PR agency?
The right Dubai PR setup depends on who your clients are, whether you buy media or contract influencers, and how many visas you need. A solo consultant usually fits a single-activity free zone licence or the Dubai Media City freelancer permit, while a government contractor or retainer agency for UAE corporates should test the mainland first [2][26].
| Your agency | Starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A solo PR consultant | Meydan Free Zone at AED 12,500 licence only, or DMC 18.9.32 PR Specialist at AED 7,500 a year | Lowest Dubai entry; check the AED 75,000 capital rule if you want an investor visa at Meydan or IFZA |
| A boutique agency with retainers from UAE corporates | Dubai mainland, DET 7020001 plus 7320002, AED 24,400 with one visa | Direct contracting with mainland clients; ask procurement teams before choosing |
| An agency running influencer campaigns | DMC 18.2 with 18.2.8, or mainland with 6202101 | 18.2.8 is the activity the DDA ties to the federal regulator; every creator needs a permit; confirm the agency's own position with the NMA |
| An agency serving overseas clients | A Dubai free zone, or SHAMS at AED 14,255 with one visa if Dubai is not needed | Cost and visas matter more than address; decide VAT zero-rating per contract |
| A PR plus events agency | Mainland with 7020001 and 8230009, or DMC 18.2 plus 18.4 at AED 15,000 each | Events carry their own permit chain; the DMC events segment is charged at the standard fee |
| A government communications contractor | Dubai mainland | Confirm the entity's supplier registration rules first; the media law applies either way |
Every row assumes you will confirm the NMA position on your exact services in writing, because no row changes the federal media rules.
Real Client Stories
These are composite examples built from the situations PR agency founders most often face in Dubai. Names and details are illustrative, and the only figures used are published rules and BusinessDubai.ae's package prices.
The consultant who priced a media licence that did not exist
A former newsroom editor planning a one-person media relations practice budgeted for an "NMC licence" fee she had seen quoted on a setup page. She then checked the National Media Authority's service list and found no PR agency licence, and a commercial media licence priced only as "depends on the service". She licensed on the Dubai mainland under DET 7020001 at AED 24,400 with one visa and wrote to the NMA describing her services. She kept the reply in her company file.
Lesson: price the licence from the register and put the regulator question in writing, not in the budget.
The launch that needed three permits, not one
A boutique agency ran a restaurant opening campaign with two resident creators and one visiting from abroad. The residents held Advertiser Permits, free in their first three years. The visitor's AED 500 permit had to be filed through a licensed advertising agency in the UAE, which the boutique was not, so it partnered with one. Because the client was a food business, the agency also checked the sector approval that Article 33 requires for food advertising, and every post carried a paid-partnership label.
Lesson: a creator campaign is a permit and approval checklist before it is a content calendar.
The overseas retainer that was not an export
A Dubai Media City agency on segment 18.2, paying AED 15,000 a year for its licence line, signed a European cosmetics brand to launch in the UAE. The founder zero-rated the retainer because the client was abroad. Her accountant pointed out that the press events, coverage and distributor relationships were all received in the UAE, so the zero-rating conditions in Article 31 might not hold. The agency moved to charging 5% VAT on that contract and wrote the beneficiary into future engagement letters.
Lesson: for PR, "foreign client" and "exported service" are different questions.
Start your PR agency the right way
Three decisions matter most for a Dubai PR agency. First, the activity code: DET 7020001 or Dubai Media City 18.2.2, plus every activity you will actually sell, because ad buying, influencer contracting and events sit outside the PR code. Second, the media layer: the federal media law and its fines apply to your campaigns wherever you are licensed, and whether your agency needs its own National Media Authority licence is a question to settle in writing. Third, tax: PR is not a Qualifying Activity, so plan on ordinary rates or Small Business Relief, and decide VAT per overseas contract.
BusinessDubai.ae prices every route with itemised figures and no hidden fees. We will set a mainland company setup at AED 24,400 with one visa against a free zone company setup on the same activity list, and our post-setup services team keeps renewals, visas and filings on schedule after launch. Talk to a setup expert→
If your agency will be closer to a production house or an outdoor media business, our guides to media production company setup and signage and advertising company setup cover the permits those businesses need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing
Is there a specific PR agency licence in Dubai?
No. A Dubai PR agency holds a trade licence carrying a public relations activity, such as DET 7020001 Public Relations Management on the mainland or activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency in Dubai Media City. The National Media Authority's e-services catalogue, checked in October 2026, lists no PR agency licence.
What is the DET activity code for a PR agency?
The DET code is 7020001 Public Relations Management, a Professional activity. Codes such as 7020.16 or 7310.12 that appear on some sites are free zone register codes, not DET codes. Confirm the code on the live DET register at application.
Which Dubai Media City segment covers a PR agency?
A PR agency sits in segment 18.2 Media & Marketing Services, activity 18.2.2 Public Relations Agency. DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 prices the segment at AED 15,000 a year for up to four activities, as of 2026.
Can a PR licence cover media buying and advertising?
Not on its own. DET 7020001 describes media relations and corporate image work, so an agency that buys advertising space adds 6202101 Marketing Services Via Social Media or an advertising code. In Dubai Media City, segment 18.1 Advertising & Communication, at AED 20,000 for two activities, covers media planning, buying and placement.
Is there a minimum share capital for a PR company in Dubai Media City?
Yes. DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 sets a default minimum paid-up capital of AED 10,000 for an FZ-LLC where the decision lists no other figure, and segment 18 carries no separate figure. This is capital, not a fee.
Can a solo PR consultant work as a freelancer in Dubai Media City?
Yes. Dubai Media City's freelancer segment includes activity 18.9.32 PR Specialist, covering media relations, campaigns and press releases. The DDA decision sets the freelancer permit at AED 7,500 a year.
The media law and the regulator
Who regulates PR and advertising content in the UAE in 2026?
The National Media Authority, established by Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2025, which took over the UAE Media Council's functions from 1 January 2026. It administers Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023, its executive regulation (Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024) and the fines in Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025.
Does a PR agency need a National Media Authority licence?
No primary source settles it. The NMA lists no PR licence and the DET register flags no approval on 7020001, but Article 27 of Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 lists media and advertising consultancy and advertisement design and production as licensable activities. Ask the NMA in writing with your exact service list before launch.
Is the National Media Council still the regulator for PR agencies?
No. The National Media Authority now regulates media activity in the UAE, having taken over the UAE Media Council's functions from 1 January 2026 under Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2025. Pages that cite the National Media Council describe a body that no longer exists.
Does the media law apply to a PR agency in a free zone?
Yes. The National Media Authority says it regulates and licenses media outlets and activities within media free zones, and Article 33 advertising conditions bind persons, establishments and media institutions including media free zones. A free zone address does not change the campaign rules.
What is the fine for an advertisement that breaches the advertising conditions?
Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 fines a breach of the Article 33 advertising conditions at AED 20,000 for a first offence and AED 50,000 for a second. Repeats inside a year double. Displaying an advertisement without a required sector approval is a separate AED 10,000 fine.
How long is a National Media Authority media licence valid?
A media licence under Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 is issued for one calendar year, with renewal requested before the last 30 days. Late renewal is fined at AED 150 a day, capped at AED 3,000, under Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025.
Do PR campaigns for clinics, developers or schools need extra approval?
Yes. Article 33 of Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 requires prior approval from the concerned authority for advertisements on real estate, medical and health services, pharmaceuticals, financial services, education and food. The client's sector regulator issues that approval, not the media regulator.
Influencers and paid content
Does a PR agency need an Advertiser Permit to run influencer campaigns?
Each creator in a paid campaign needs an Advertiser Permit from the National Media Authority. Whether the agency itself needs one is unresolved: the permit page is written for individuals, while the fines decision applies to a natural or juristic person. Put the question to the NMA in writing.
How much does the Advertiser Permit cost in 2026?
The resident Advertiser Permit is free for the first three years and AED 1,000 after that, with delivery in three working days. It requires a commercial licence and completion of the regulator's training programme, as stated on the NMA service page in October 2026.
Can my agency apply for a visiting influencer's permit?
The NMA's visitor permit page says the application is submitted through a licensed advertising agency in the UAE, and the NMA pages do not set out how an agency qualifies, so confirm with the NMA. The permit costs AED 500 and lasts three months, extendable to a total of six months.
Who is fined if a creator posts paid content without a permit?
The creator faces fines under item 11 of Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025: a written warning, then AED 20,000, then AED 50,000. That item applies to natural and juristic persons, so companies are within its wording, and Middle East Briefing advises brands and agencies to verify permits before engagement.
Must paid influencer content be labelled in the UAE?
Yes. Article 33 of Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 requires advertising to be clearly identified and any material return in a commercial relationship to be clearly disclosed. Breach is fined AED 20,000 for a first offence and AED 50,000 for a second.
Zones and cost
How much does it cost to set up a PR agency in Dubai?
A Dubai mainland PR agency costs AED 18,200 in year one without a visa and AED 24,400 with one on BusinessDubai.ae's 2026 package. Meydan Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 licence only and AED 21,050 with one visa, and Dubai Media City's segment 18.2 licence line is AED 15,000 a year.
What is the cheapest way to start a PR agency in the UAE with a visa?
Outside Dubai, ANC Free Zone in Ajman is BusinessDubai.ae's cheapest complete package at AED 10,800 with one visa, and SHAMS in Sharjah costs AED 14,255 with one visa. Confirm the PR activity is on the zone's list before you choose. Inside Dubai, Meydan, Dubai South and Expo City start at AED 21,050 with one visa.
Is SHAMS or Dubai Media City cheaper for a PR agency?
SHAMS is cheaper: AED 6,885 licence only or AED 14,255 with one visa on BusinessDubai.ae's 2026 list, against Dubai Media City's AED 15,000 segment fee before office and visas. Dubai Media City buys a Dubai address and a media cluster; SHAMS buys cost.
What does a PR agency licence cost to renew in year two?
The Dubai mainland package renews at about AED 15,000, and a Dubai free zone package renews at roughly 80% of year one. Ask for the standard renewal price before signing, because launch discounts often expire after year one.
Can a free zone PR agency work for mainland clients?
It depends on the zone's rules and the client's procurement rules. Government entities and corporates set their own supplier registration requirements, so ask their procurement teams whether they accept a free zone supplier before choosing a free zone over the mainland.
Tax
Does a PR agency pay corporate tax in the UAE?
Yes. A PR agency pays 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above, on the mainland or in a free zone, because public relations is not a Qualifying Activity under Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025. Small Business Relief can reduce the tax to nil at revenue at or under AED 3,000,000.
Can a PR agency in a free zone get 0% corporate tax?
Not on client PR income. Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 is a closed list of Qualifying Activities and does not include public relations, advertising or consultancy. A free zone PR agency is taxed at ordinary rates, 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above.
When must a PR agency register for VAT?
A PR agency must register for VAT once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in a 12-month period, and may register voluntarily from AED 187,500. VAT is charged at 5%. Late corporate tax registration is a separate AED 10,000 penalty.
Is a retainer from an overseas client zero-rated for VAT?
Only if the conditions for exported services are met. PwC and Andersen note that zero-rating can fail where the client is effectively in the UAE for the work, or where another person foreseeably receives the service in the UAE, which a campaign aimed at UAE audiences often does. Decide the treatment per contract.
References
[1] Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Business activity list as recorded in a public copy of the register (export of 5 July 2026): 7020001 Public Relations Management, 6399001 Press Materials Editing & Distributing, 7320002 Marketing Management, 6202101 Marketing Services Via Social Media, 7310026 Advertising Services via Websites and 8230009 Events Organizing & Managing, with licence type and register description for each. Confirm codes at DET initial approval. invest.dubai.ae
[2] Dubai Development Authority. Decision No. 1 of 2021 on licensing categories, as published on the DDA website: Article 14.1 annual segment fees for Dubai Media City, segment 18.2 description and activities including 18.2.2 and 18.2.8, activity 18.1.1, Articles 2.12, 3.2, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2 and 10.4, Article 15.1 minimum capital, and freelancer activity 18.9.32. DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 (PDF)
[3] National Media Authority. Legislation page hosting Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 regulating media, issued 2 October 2023, including the provisions on licences and permits, media activity in free zones, content standards and advertising. NMA legislation
[4] National Media Authority. Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 on the executive regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 (Arabic text): Article 7 one-year licence term and renewal, Article 27 other licensable media activities and the approval rule in Article 27(2), and Article 33 advertising conditions including identification, disclosure of material return and sector approvals. Cabinet Decision No. 68 of 2024 (PDF)
[5] National Media Authority. Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 on administrative violations and fines, dated 16 April 2025 (Arabic text): Schedule 1 items 1, 2, 3, 11, 14 and 15 and Schedule 2 item 18, with doubling on repeat. Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025 (PDF)
[6] National Media Authority. About the Authority: established by Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2025, its mandate to regulate and license media outlets and activities including those in free zones, and its replacement of the UAE Media Council. NMA office and roles
[7] National Media Authority. E-services catalogue, checked 16 October 2026: filming licences, media activity licences, press cards, broadcasting licences and the two Advertiser Permits, with no PR agency or advertising agency licence listed. NMA services
[8] National Media Authority. Issuance of Media Licenses of a Commercial Nature: requirements including a trade licence and lease, and the fee stated as "Depends on the service". NMA commercial media licence
[9] National Media Authority. Permit for an individual to provide advertising or media content on social media and other digital platforms: requirements including a commercial licence and training, fee free for the first three years then AED 1,000, delivery in three working days. NMA Advertiser Permit
[10] National Media Authority. Permit for visiting individuals to provide advertising or media content on social media: application through a licensed advertising agency in the UAE, applicant aged 18 or over, three-month term extendable to six months in total, fee AED 500. NMA Visitor Advertiser Permit
[11] Gulf News. "What visiting influencers need to know before promoting brands in the UAE", updated 24 July 2026: the agency as the visiting creator's representative, responsible for contractual obligations. Gulf News
[12] Middle East Briefing (Dezan Shira & Associates). "UAE influencers must obtain Advertiser Permit under new media law", 2 February 2026: brands and agencies should verify permits before engagement, and liability may attach. Middle East Briefing
[13] Neo Legal (May Wong). Influencer marketing agency in the UAE, September 2026: the agency's trade licence activity must cover what it sells, followed by the Advertiser Permit layer and contract terms. Neo Legal
[14] SHAMS (Sharjah Media City). Business activities register: PR activities 7020.16, 7310.12 and 7020.01 with no approval flag, and 1811.05 Printing, Advertising Agencies and Event Organizing flagged for National Media Authority approval. SHAMS business activities
[15] Ajman Media City. Activity list: 7020001 Public Relations Management, 7020005 Media Consultancy and Studies, 7320002 Marketing Management and 4762003 Social Media Influencer. Ajman Media City activity list
[16] Ajman Media City. Packages page, checked 26 September 2026: Visionary package AED 12,999 with one visa, renewing at AED 8,999. Ajman Media City packages
[17] twofour54. Business setup form listing Public Relations Services and Event Management activities, with fees quoted on application. twofour54 business form
[18] Ministry of Finance. Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 regarding Qualifying Activities and Excluded Activities: the closed Article 2(1) list from manufacturing to logistics services and ancillary activities, with no public relations, advertising or consultancy item. Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 (PDF)
[19] Federal Tax Authority. Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses: 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above for an ordinary taxable person, the AED 10,000 late registration penalty, and VAT at 5% with registration thresholds of AED 375,000 mandatory and AED 187,500 voluntary. Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (PDF)
[20] Ministry of Finance. Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023 on Small Business Relief, as amended by Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 issued 29 July 2026: revenue at or under AED 3,000,000, tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, unavailable to a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Small Business Relief decision (PDF)
[21] PwC Middle East. Tax alert on FTA public clarification VATP040 (2025): conditions for zero-rating services to non-resident recipients under Article 31 of the VAT executive regulation as amended, including the test that a short presence counts as outside the UAE only if not effectively connected with the supply. PwC VATP040 alert (PDF)
[22] Andersen UAE. Tax alert on the VAT executive regulation amendment (Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2024): zero-rating can fail where it is reasonably foreseeable that another person will receive the services in the UAE, unless that person could recover input tax in full. Andersen VAT alert (PDF)
[23] National Media Authority. FAQ: the Authority regulates and licenses media outlets and activities within media free zones. NMA FAQ
[24] National Media Authority. Media content standards, including that advertising content shall respect the culture, identity and values of the UAE. NMA media content standards
[25] Storyboard18. "UAE eases advertiser permit rules for visiting content creators through accredited agencies", 16 December 2025: agreements with four agencies to apply for permits on behalf of creators. Storyboard18
[26] BusinessDubai.ae. Internal 2026 price list: Dubai mainland package at AED 18,200 in year one without a visa, AED 24,400 with one visa and about AED 15,000 on renewal; free zone packages by visa count for Meydan Free Zone, IFZA (partner price), Dubai South, Expo City, SHAMS, Ajman Free Zone and ANC Free Zone; the roughly 80% year-two renewal guide; and the AED 75,000 investor visa capital rule at IFZA and Meydan. businessdubai.ae
