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Advertising Agency License in Dubai
  • By Business Consultant
  • October 31, 2024

Advertising agencies in Dubai are not something unheard of, but rather they have been there for a long time, with the market demand for these services constantly increasing. Dubai is the technological hub that boosts economic growth, and there’s always a long queue of people willing to invest in this economy or get their businesses started. The first thing needed to run such a business is an advertising agency license in Dubai.

This blog is meant to deal with one such industry, the advertising business, where we will be discussing the purpose of an advertising agency, how to start a new business in Dubai, the requirements, and benefits. 

Purpose of an advertising agency in Dubai

As we all know, Dubai is a golden city when it comes to business, which means there is a lot of demand for advertising and marketing, making an advertising agency in Dubai a great choice of business. The government allows a plethora of services that could be offered by an advertising agency; these include:

  • Print advertisements: Publications found in magazines, newspapers, and brochures.
  • Email campaigns: Direct communication between marketers and potential clients.
  • Multimedia ads: Frequently seen on digital platforms, these ads blend text, graphics, and video.
  • Billboards: Large, widely visible outdoor ads.
  • Audio and visual commercials: Aired on radio and television stations are known as radio and TV adverts.

How to start an advertising agency in Dubai?

To start an advertising agency in Dubai, there are a few things that are required to be finalized, along with an issued license. To understand it better, let us sum up the process of starting an advertising agency in UAE in the following steps:

1. Deciding the type of advertising agency: 

When you decide to start an advertising agency in Dubai, you have to be niche-specific. Making a business structure in Dubai is recommended for you to start with, enlisting the services you will offer like digital marketing, offline advertising, and content creation, along with all others you would like to add to the list. The key elements should be mentioned. 

2. Deciding the location: 

Once you are aware of what your business will look like, it is time for you to decide where to operate. Decide on the location, whether it will be a mainland or the freezones that are associated with it. 

3. Registration of trade mark: 

Selecting a name of the business that fulfils the obligation of the system is a must. Make sure the name is authentic and follows the guidelines put forth by the government of the UAE.

4. Getting approvals: 

This step requires you to have a formal business plan with all the key elements to be submitted along with the passports of the shareholders to the relevant government authority. Make sure you submit all the required documents, like the approved trade mark, the office lease, and all that are mentioned in the guidelines. 

5. License issue: 

Once everything is secured and set, you now have to wait for your advertising agency license in Dubai to be approved and issued for you to start your business. It becomes mandatory for you to follow regulatory compliance in order to work in the Emirates. 

How to obtain an advertising agency license in the UAE?

There are various permissions required for you to start your advertising agency and get your advertising agency license in Dubai and the UAE. These include the following:

  • Initial Approval: Obtain the Department of Economic Development’s (DED) Initial Approval Certificate (IAC). Send copies of your passport and any other pertinent paperwork.
  • Certificate of Trade Name: Set aside a distinctive trading name for your company.
  • Office Space: Lease a minimum of 200 square feet of space and provide the rental agreement to DED.
  • Memorandum Signature: To finish this phase, all partners need to come to the court.
  • Outside Approvals: Obtain approval from the Ministry of Economy, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and the Dubai Municipality.
  • Internal Approval: Obtain approval from the National Media Council (NMC), which charges different fees depending on business activity and may take two to three weeks.
  • Respect the Rules: Honour privacy, respect religious beliefs, and present truthful facts. Steer clear of offensive material.

While this is the general process, there might be slight differences depending on specific factors, for which you will have to get in touch with a business setup consultancy like Dubiz Business Setup

Benefits of starting an advertising agency in Dubai

There are several benefits of starting an advertising agency in Dubai; these are:

1. Opportunities: 

As we have already established, Dubai is a hub of technology and commerce, which means there is a tremendous need to have advertising agencies. Thus, one of the benefits is the plethora of opportunities that you get there. 

2. Healthy competition:

With a rise in demand, there is a rise in competition, which means you will always be striving to provide the best. Giving you an opportunity to grow, both professionally and economically. Keeping up with the demands will also brighten your brand loyalty. 

3. Economic growth: 

As mentioned earlier, Dubai enjoys economic growth, thus having a business in such a place. This automatically translates to you having a fair opportunity to experience growth on the economic front. 

4. Global reach: 

Dubai is not just an attraction for business in the Emirates but holds a place in the international market. Thus, starting a business in this emirate offers you a global reach, making your business not just a local name but an international brand. 

How can Dubiz help?

Acquiring an advertising agency license in Dubai is one of the most crucial steps to starting an agency dealing with advertising of any type. Having professionals with intricate knowledge of the whole system along with the requirements can make the process more efficient and less tiring. Dubiz Business Setup is one such place where you get experts from the industry to help you with company formation in UAE and fulfil all the requirements along with the UAE golden visa. 

Here is how you can contact us: Please call or WhatsApp: +971 563695485, or email info@dubiz.co

FAQs

1. Is the advertising industry in Dubai competitive?

There are many advertisers fighting for consumers’ attention in Dubai’s very competitive advertising business. It is difficult for advertisers to stand out and differentiate their businesses because of this saturation.

2. What is the cost of an advertising agency license in Dubai?

The cost of an advertising agency license in Dubai starts from AED 12,500*. However, this cost can vary based on your business conditions, number of visas applied for, location of your agency and other variables. It is best to consult business setup advisors at Dubiz.

3. Is starting an advertising agency in Dubai expensive?

Depending on the size and scope of the company, launching an advertising agency in Dubai can cost different amounts. On the other hand, startup expenses usually fall between AED 20,000 and AED 50,000

4. Is an advertising agency in Dubai required to follow Emiratization rule?

Yes, any private business that is established in the UAE is required to follow the Emiratization UAE rule, or they will be required to fulfil the penalty and punishment thus imposed. Hence, the industry you enter matters little when it comes to Emiratization UAE rules. 

5. Is UAE residence visa important to start an advertising agency in Dubai?

No, the UAE residence visa is not mandatory to start an advertising agency in Dubai. Particularly for businesses that are not residents, Dubai and the UAE government have worked hard to provide a friendly and open business environment.

6. Can I start an advertising agency in Dubai while my residence visa is under renewal?

Yes, you can start the procedure for the business set-up, but make sure that you have the visa before you go for physical formalities. It is better to have your visa prepared before hand rather than waiting for the last minute. 

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