You set up a company or take a freelance permit in one of the media segments that Dubai Media City licenses, such as advertising, marketing services, events, new media or gaming. Setup and visa services run through TECOM Group's axs platform.
It hosts freelancers, startups, small firms and large media groups. NXTSTAR matches your work to the right segment and prepares the application.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who Dubai Media City suits
Dubai Media City is for media and marketing businesses: agencies, PR firms, production and event companies, publishers, gaming studios and individual creatives.
A trading or non-media service business will not fit its segments.
Company structures
- A free zone company for startups, small firms and large enterprises.
- A branch of an existing media company.
- A freelance permit through GoFreelance for individuals.
Licences and activities
- Advertising and communication: media agencies, online advertisers and creative teams.
- Media and marketing services: PR, sales promotion and branding.
- Media support services: media buying, monitoring, translation and news distribution.
- Event management and event support.
- New media: search, mobile media and web analytics.
- Gaming and e-sports: developers, publishers and promoters.
Documents
- Application and a description of the media activity
- Passport copies for shareholders, directors and the manager
- For a freelance permit: your passport, a portfolio or evidence of experience, and the application in your own name
- For a branch: the parent company's corporate documents
The process, step by step
- Choose company, branch or freelance.
- Match the work to a licensed media segment.
- Submit the application through axs.
- Receive the licence or permit and apply for the visa.
What is particular to Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City lists influencers among the creative roles its freelance permit covers, and says a freelance permit holder can apply for a one-year or two-year visa. The permit is a licence to work. Publishing advertising content still needs the UAE Media Council's Advertiser Permit.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We help you choose the structure, licence and activities.
- We prepare and submit the application.
- We handle the visa and bank account steps afterwards.
- We do not decide approvals. The authority does, and banks decide on accounts.
- We are an independent consultancy and are not part of Dubai Media City.
Common questions
Can an influencer get a licence in Dubai Media City?
Dubai Media City lists influencers among the creative and media roles covered by its freelance permit. The Advertiser Permit from the UAE Media Council is a separate requirement.
What visa comes with the freelance permit?
Dubai Media City says a GoFreelance permit holder is eligible to apply for a one-year or two-year visa.
Is Dubai Media City only for big media companies?
No. It hosts freelancers, startups and small firms as well as large enterprises.
How much does Dubai Media City setup cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates authority fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about Dubai Media City
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.