More and more influencers are emigrating to Dubai and there are many reasons for this. On the one hand tax, on the other hand the great infrastructure and the opportunities to network and produce content. But how do you emigrate to Dubai as an influencer?
This comprehensive guide explains how to get your visa, which licenses you need and much more. It also explains the one-off and recurring costs and taxes for influencers.
Prerequisites
Basically, there are no requirements for emigrating to Dubai for influencers, as long as you have enough money. The UAE is extremely liberal when it comes to issuing visas, as long as you can afford to live there and have a job or your own company.
Taxes
One of the main reasons for emigration is, of course, the taxes or the Tax advantages in Dubai. In principle, most influencers in Dubai are still tax-exempt. This is because the following tax regulations apply to small businesses and influencers:
- 0% Corporation tax for less than € 750,000 turnover
- 0% Income tax
- 0% Tax on capital gains & dividends
- 0% Tax on rental income
VISA
There are basically three common ways of doing this Residence visa in Dubai can receive. These are investment or real estate purchase, company foundation or employment or job. Most influencers set up their own company and hire themselves through it. As long as the company is active, the visa or residence permit remains valid.
Influencer Visa
However, if you have a very large international reach and also have a certain relevance for the UAE, you can also try to obtain an influencer visa. This is a special form of the Golden Visa, which allows residence for 10 years and can be renewed afterwards.
The total number of Golden Visas is limited to 10,000 and the requirements are generally strict. These include, among others:
- Large reach (several hundred thousand followers)
- International relevance
- Ideally awards
- English speaking
Anyone who fulfills these requirements can use the Creative HQ submit an application.
For most people, however, setting up a company in Dubai is the more common and easier option.
Licenses
All influencers must have an influencer license. This must be applied for in addition to the company's licenses. For example, if you set up a company in the field of social media marketing, you also need a license to work as an influencer. This license must be applied for from the Media Council after the company is founded. The costs for this amount to AED 5,000 in the first year and AED 2,5000 for the renewal.
Procedure
Below is a step-by-step guide to emigrating to Dubai as an influencer.
Company foundation
The first step is the Founding a company in Dubai. You should definitely choose the right free zone that offers the necessary licenses in the area of social media marketing and content creation. For example, we recommend the Founding a company with IFZA or in the Meydan Freezone. The company can be founded remotely and the following documents and details are required.
- Company name
- Activities / Licenses
- Managing Director
- Owner / Shareholder
- Share capital
- VISA selection
- Personal master data
- Current proof of address
You will then receive an e-mail to sign and confirm the submission.
Approval via Media Council
When founding a company, you will also be asked to obtain a license or approval for the desired activities. The Media Council is responsible for influencers and content creators. This is where you submit your personal documents and a description of your planned activities.
After paying the fee of AED 5,000 (in the first year thereafter only AED 2,5009), you receive the permit and can complete the company formation. This step usually takes 2 weeks.
EVISA
Once the company has been founded and you have received approval from the Media Council, you can use the Residence VISA in Dubai apply. This is a form for obtaining the VISA. Initially, however, you will only receive the EVISA. This is a temporary Employment VISA, which is valid for 60 days and must be presented on arrival.
If you enter the country as a tourist instead of an employee (of your own company), you must submit a change of status. This should be avoided as it incurs additional costs.
Medical Check
A short medical test must then be completed on site. This only takes a few minutes with the VIP application and you will receive the result within a few hours. With the „FIT“ result, you can then take the next step.
Emirates ID application
The result is then used to submit an application to a typing center 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 again at the next step.
Biometrics
Biometrics takes place in another official facility. The result of the medical check and the Emirates ID application are presented here. Fingerprints are then taken, which are subsequently stored on the Emirates ID.
Receipt of the Emirates ID / RV
After a few days, you will receive your Emirates ID and Residency 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 can be calculated relatively accurately from a bureaucratic and official perspective. Below is a list of the costs for the emigration of an influencer:
- Company formation 5.000 - 6.000€
- Influencer license 1000€
- Medical Check, Biometrics and Emirates ID 600€
- Costs for concierge / agency for emigration 1500-2000€
The last cost item is of course optional, but highly recommended, as several official channels are necessary and if you don't know them, it can often take weeks to get everything done. With a competent emigration agency, the entire process is usually completed in just a few days.
Summary
Emigrating to Dubai as an influencer definitely makes sense for many. The tax benefits are enormous, the infrastructure for networking is great and there are many opportunities to produce interesting content.
If you are a global influencer, you can try to obtain an Influencer VISA. Otherwise you choose the path of a Freezone company formation and obtains the appropriate authorization from the Media Council. The total cost of emigration is usually €7,500-8,500 via an agency.
