More and more influencers are moving to Dubai, and there are many reasons for this. On the one hand, tax, on the other hand, the great infrastructure and the opportunities for networking and producing content. But how does one emigrate to Dubai as an influencer?
This comprehensive guide explains how to get your visa, what licences you need, and much more. It also details the one-off and recurring costs, as well as taxes for influencers.
Prerequisites
Fundamentally, there are no prerequisites for emigrating to Dubai for influencers, as long as you possess sufficient funds. The UAE is extremely liberal when it comes to granting visas, provided you can afford the cost of living and have a job or your own company.
Taxes
One of the main reasons for emigrating are, of course, taxes or the tax advantages in Dubai. Generally, most influencers in Dubai remain tax-exempt. This is because the following tax laws apply to small business owners and influencers:
- 0% Corporation tax for turnover of less than €750,000
- 0% Income Tax
- 0% Tax on investment income & dividends
- 0% Tax on rental income
VISA
Fundamentally, there are three common ways that one can do that Residence visa in Dubai can be obtained. These are investment or property purchase, company formation, or employment or a job. Most influencers set up their own company and employ themselves through it. As long as the company is active, the visa or residence permit remains valid.
Influencer Visa
However, those who have enormous international reach and also a certain relevance for the UAE can also try to obtain the Influencer Visa. This is a special form of Golden Visa, which allows for a stay of 10 years and can subsequently be renewed.
The total number of Golden Visas is limited to 10,000 units and the requirements are generally strict. These include, among others:
- Large reach (several hundred thousand followers)
- International relevance
- Ideally awards
- English-speaking
who meets these requirements can via the Creative HQ to submit an application.
For most, however, starting a business in Dubai is the more common and easier route.
Licences
All influencers must possess an influencer licence. This must be applied for in addition to the company's licences. For example, if one establishes a company in the field of social media marketing, then one will additionally require the licence to be able to work as an influencer. This licence must be applied for from the Media Council after the company has been established. The costs for this amount to AED 5,000 in the first year and AED 2,5000 for renewal.
Process
Below is a step-by-step guide to emigrating to Dubai as an influencer.
Company formation
The first step is the Starting a company in Dubai. When doing this, it is absolutely essential to choose the right free zone, which offers the necessary licences in the area of social media marketing and content creation. For instance, it is recommended here to consider the Company formation at IFZA or in the Meydan Freezone. Company formation can be done remotely and the following documents or information are required.
- Company name
- Activities / Licences
- Managing Director
- Owner / Shareholder
- Share capital
- VISA Selection
- Personal Master Data
- Proof of current address
Afterwards, you will receive an email for signing and confirming the submission.
Approval via Media Council
During company formation, you are required to obtain a licence or permit for the desired activities. For influencers and content creators, the Media Council is responsible for this. You submit your personal documents and a description of your anticipated activities here.
Upon payment of the fee of AED 5,000 (AED 2,500 in the first year thereafter), you will receive approval and can finalise the company formation. This step usually takes 2 weeks.
E-visa
Once the company is founded and you have received approval from the Media Council, you can go ahead and Residence Visa in Dubai apply. This is a form for obtaining the VISA. Initially, however, you will only receive the EVISA. A temporary Employment VISA, which is valid for 60 days and must be presented upon entry.
Anyone entering the country as a tourist instead of as an employee (of their own company) must submit a status change. This should be avoided accordingly, as it incurs additional costs.
Medical Examination
On-site, you will then need to complete a short medical test. With the VIP application, this only takes a few minutes and you will receive the result within a few hours. With a “FIT” result, you can then proceed to the next step.
Emirates ID Application
With the result, one now submits the application at a Typing Centre for a Emirates ID. The Emirates ID is an identity card and the central document in Dubai. This one-page form is crucial and must be carried with you for the next step.
Biometrics
Biometrics will take place at another official facility. Here, the results of the medical check and the Emirates ID application will be presented. Fingerprints will then be taken and stored on the Emirates ID.
Receipt of Emirates ID / RV
After a few days, you will receive the Emirates ID and the Residence VISA by email. This makes you an official resident of the UAE and allows you to stay and work in Dubai on an ongoing basis.
Costs
The costs of emigration are relatively precisely calculable from a bureaucratic or official perspective. Below is a breakdown of the costs for an influencer to emigrate:
- Company formation: €5,000 – €6,000
- Influencer licence: €1,000
- Medical Check, Biometrics, Emirates ID & Residence Visa: 1,000 €
- Concierge / Agency costs for emigration: €1,000 – €2,000
The last cost item is, of course, optional, but highly recommended, as several bureaucratic steps are necessary and if you are unfamiliar with them, it can often take weeks to get everything done. With a competent emigration agency, the entire process is usually completed in a few days.
Summary
Moving to Dubai as an influencer definitely makes sense for many. This is because the tax advantages are enormous, the infrastructure for networking is great, and there are many opportunities to produce interesting content.
Anyone who is a global influencer can try to obtain an influencer visa. Otherwise, one chooses the path of a Freezone Company Formation and obtains the appropriate authorisation from the Media Council. The total cost for emigration, typically through an agency, is €7,000 – €8,500.
