No. The UAE Media Council's guide says the Advertiser Permit is not required for an individual promoting a product or service that belongs to them, or to a company they own, on their own account.
The exemption ends the moment you promote someone else's product. NXTSTAR helps owners check where they stand and get the permit when their content goes beyond their own business.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
What the exemption covers
- A restaurant owner posting their own menu on their own account.
- A founder demonstrating their own product.
- A consultant promoting their own services under their own company.
In each case the product or service belongs to the person posting or to a company they own.
Where the exemption stops
- You feature a supplier, partner or neighbouring business in return for money, goods or exposure.
- You accept affiliate commission for recommending another company's product.
- You are the face of a business you work for but do not own.
- You pay a creator to promote your business. You are still exempt, but the creator needs a permit and you have duties as the company hiring them.
If your case is on the boundary, for example a shareholder with a small stake or a family business, ask the Council before relying on the exemption. We can help you put the question.
Your business still needs the right licence
The exemption is from the Advertiser Permit only. It does not replace the trade licence your business needs to operate, and regulated products such as health, financial or real estate offers have their own advertising rules.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
We review how you promote, tell you whether the exemption is likely to apply, and set up the licence activity and permit if it does not.
We do not give a binding ruling on the exemption. Only the Media Council can.
Common questions
I own 50% of the company. Am I exempt?
The guide refers to a company the individual owns. It does not set a percentage, so confirm a part-ownership case with the Council.
My employee runs our company account. Do they need a permit?
The guide's exemption is written for owners promoting their own business. For an employee posting on the company's official account, confirm with the Council.
I pay influencers to promote my shop. What do I have to do?
Contract only with permit holders listed in the Council's public database and sign a written agreement with each one.
How much does it cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote for your situation.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 6 October 2026.
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