Which format fits
Authors most often choose a media free zone or a zone with a content creation licence. If you advertise to an audience in the UAE, a separate advertising permit may be required. Check the current rules before launch.
What to pay attention to
- A personal brand, name and audience can be transferred to the company under a licence agreement.
- Income from ad integrations, subscriptions and products is best routed through a corporate account.
- Teams and producers find it easier to work with a company than with an individual.
Structure and asset protection
The company receives income from advertising and products. The brand and content rights can be moved to a holding company and licensed to the operating company. This helps separate personal assets.
The overall logic of the structure is described on the page “Asset protection and ownership structures”.
Bank account
The bank asks for proof of income sources: contracts with advertisers and platform payouts. Prepare a portfolio and a description of your audience.
More: bank account opening.
Common mistakes
- Advertiser contracts are signed with the individual rather than the company
- The UAE advertising permit is not checked
Where to start
Tell us about your business. We will review your situation and propose a company format, a jurisdiction and an ownership structure. You can compare the options in the article “Free zone or mainland”, and costs are covered in the article “How much does it cost to open a company in Dubai”.
Regulations and licensing requirements change. Current conditions must be verified before launch. The decision to open an account is made by the bank. Tax consequences depend on your residency.