Media & Content Production in the UAE

Key points

the UAE is located in Ajman emirate — media & creative industry cluster, and the registrar's processing time for a standard file is around 3 working days. One of the reasons we recommend the UAE is its specialised media licences, which matters more than most business owners realise once the business is running. Crucially, office options in the UAE range from virtual office, flexi-desk or studio space, so you only pay for the space your visa quota actually needs.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Consultation and activity selection

   We confirm that your activity is available in the UAE, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan.

2. 
   Step 2

   Name reservation and initial approval

   We submit your preferred trade names to the UAE and secure initial approval, normally within a day or two of submission. For starting a media production company in the UAE, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.

3. 
   Step 3

   Document submission and payment

   In our experience, with the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested documents and settles the licence fee with the issuing authority on your behalf.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence issued and next steps

   the UAE issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. If the authority raises a query on starting a media production company in the UAE at this stage, we handle it the same day.

Documents required

Here is what you will need for starting a media production company in the UAE; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.

• The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
• Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
• A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
• A passport-size photograph on a white background
• A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
• A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months

Pricing

All prices for starting a media production company in the UAE are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. The figures below for starting a media production company in the UAE are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.

Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.

Where to license media & content production

Media free zones issue these licences at the lowest cost in the UAE and permit freelance-style structures. Filming in public places still needs a permit from the relevant film commission.

Ajman Media CityUAE's media and content-creator hub — licences from AED 5,…Shams Free ZoneSharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences …Meydan Free ZoneDubai's entrepreneurial free zone at the iconic Meydan rac…IFZA Free ZoneDubai's fastest-growing free zone — multi-activity licence…

Examples of this activity

• Video production
• Podcast studio
• Publishing house
• Content creator

Media & Content Production guides by nationality

IndianPakistaniBritishRussianChineseNigerianSaudiEgyptianKenyanGermanSingaporeanOmaniFrenchItalianSpanishPortugueseDutchBelgianSwissAustrianSwedishNorwegianDanishFinnishIcelandicIrishPolishCzechSlovakHungarianRomanianBulgarianGreekCroatianSerbianSlovenianUkrainianEstonianLatvianLithuanianAmericanCanadianAustralianNew ZealanderJapaneseSouth KoreanTurkishMalaysianIndonesianThaiVietnameseFilipinoBangladeshiSouth AfricanEmiratiQatari

Why the UAE

The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for starting a media production company in the UAE and makes international pricing simple. Day to day, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for starting a media production company in the UAE.

Why GoldenKey

In practice, most of our the UAE clients come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. For most clients, we speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for starting a media production company in the UAE. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with starting a media production company in the UAE, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.

Frequently asked questions