Navigating UAE's New Media Legislation Costs

New Media Regulation: Cost of Legal Operation for Content Creators and Filmmakers

The new media law in the United Arab Emirates has brought significant changes for those engaged in content creation, film production, journalism, or event organization. The legislation aims to enhance transparency, reduce violations such as disrespecting religious beliefs or spreading fake news, and promote uniform and lawful operations among industry participants. The detailed fee schedule has been published as a government decision for 2025, clearly defining the costs of necessary permits.

Digital Content Creators and Influencers

The annual license fee for influencers who post paid content is 1,000 dirham, which remains the same for renewal. Visitors who wish to temporarily work as influencers in the UAE can apply for a three-month license at a cost of 500 dirham.

For digital platforms—such as podcasts, blogs, or streaming services—a media center license is mandatory, costing 5,000 dirham annually.

Press and Foreign Media Activities

Sponsoring a foreign journalist comes with a fee of 6,000 dirham per sponsorship. A temporary media license (e.g., for event reporting) costs 300 dirham, while an unregistered foreign journalist’s activity license is 500 dirham, and its renewal is also 500 dirham.

Cinema and Film Industry

Opening a cinema with six or more screening rooms has an initial fee of 100,000 dirham, with an annual renewal fee of 50,000 dirham.

For cinemas with five or fewer rooms, the initial fee is 60,000 dirham, with an annual renewal of 30,000 dirham.

Distributors of animated, documentary, or cartoon films require a license costing 35,000 dirham initially and 18,000 dirham for renewal.

A film production license costs 18,000 dirham in the first year, with renewal at 8,000 dirham.

Additional fees include:

- Film screening license: 1,000 dirham per film

- Trailer screening: 500 dirham

- Poster display license: 500 dirham

- Ticket sales license: 500 dirham

- Age classification: 500 dirham

- Urgent classification: 6,000 dirham

- Advertising in cinema: 1,000 dirham

- Advertising production license: 5,000 dirham (renewal: 2,500 dirham)

Events and One-Time Licenses

A one-day film screening or event license (e.g., sporting event): 500 dirham

Digital platform self-censorship license: 2,000 dirham

Video Games and Entertainment Platforms

Game sales license: 10,000 dirham

Game production license: 4,000 dirham (renewal: 2,000 dirham)

Game rental through platform: 5,000 dirham per year

Art Production and Services

Audiovisual studio license: 15,000 dirham (renewal: 8,000 dirham)

Theater or art performance license: 10,000 dirham (renewal: 6,000 dirham)

Advertising board design and installation license: 10,000 dirham (renewal: 5,000 dirham)

Book Publishing, Printing, and Distribution

Printing activity license: 10,000 dirham (renewal: 5,000 dirham)

Print establishment license: 25,000 dirham (renewal: 15,000 dirham)

Daily newspaper publication license: 100,000 dirham (renewal: 50,000 dirham)

Reprint of foreign daily newspaper: 50,000 dirham

Foreign media office license: 3,000 dirham

Sale/distribution of more than 10 copies of foreign books: printed copy 15 dirham, digital copy 10 dirham per book

Library or bookstore operating license: 3,500 dirham

Modifications, Cancellation, and Change of Ownership

License cancellation: 200 dirham

Change of ownership: 100 dirham

Activity data modification: free of charge

Summary

The regulation aims to provide a professional framework for participants in the UAE media market, promoting transparency, content accountability, and quality operations. Anyone wanting to operate officially in the Emirates, whether an influencer or a film distributor, must now be well aware of the fees involved for lawful operation.

(Based on Cabinet Decision No (41) of 2025.)