What is the UAE's Finfluencer licence and how does it work

A finfluencer is a social media personality who provides financial advice or discusses money and investments online. While many people trust these digital opinion leaders and follow their recommendations, this can be particularly risky when it comes to financial matters. Following incorrect advice from someone you don't personally know could result in significant financial losses — potentially ranging from hundreds to millions of dirhams.

To maintain its reputation as a secure investment and business destination, the UAE has implemented new regulations to protect investors from potential risks. If you plan to create finance-related content with tips and advice in the UAE, you'll need to obtain a special license issued by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

Influencers who talk about finance need a new license, no matter what kind of content they post or which platform they use, for example:

• You make videos, blog posts, or social media content giving financial advice or reviews for followers in the UAE.
• You discuss or promote financial products like investment funds, cryptocurrencies, loans, or savings apps.
• You create content that is sponsored by brands or viewers and focuses on financial matters.

So, regular influencers who just talk about lifestyle, food or travel don't need a finfluencer license. And if you give personal finance advice to friends and family in private chats, you don't need a new license either.

Obtaining a freelancer's license is a common requirement for self-employed professionals in the UAE. While the process may appear straightforward, there are numerous important details to consider during your application. For first-time freelancers in the UAE, we strongly recommend consulting with experienced professionals (like us😎) to ensure you complete the process correctly and select the most advantageous option for your specific situation.

The SCA defines a finfluencer as a person who provides financial recommendations, analysis, or advice to the public about financial products, virtual assets, or services through public media such as social media, blogs, or events.

Registration requires meeting specific criteria, either through formal accreditation or by demonstrating notable influence and practical experience in the market.

Registration requires meeting one of two criteria: a formal qualification or demonstrated influence.

Option 1: Formal qualification (Accreditation)
The individual must be a financial analyst accredited by the SCA (or an equivalent regulatory body) or hold a CFA certificate. They must also be independent, meaning they cannot be employed by any SCA-licensed entity

Option 2: Influencer among market participants
The applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

• Followers: At least 1,000 genuine followers.
• Experience: Demonstrated expertise in the financial and investment sectors for a minimum of 6 months.
• Professional history: Having repeatedly issued previous professional recommendations based on established principles and analyses,

The speed depends on how well you do your initial submission. If you're thorough and accurate, the SCA will try to get it done quickly:

Initial check: 1–2 weeks to confirm all documents are present.
Compliance review: 2–4 weeks for background checks and suitability assessment.

Expect a decision in 4-6 weeks total, from the time you submit your fully completed application. Any delays in providing the required information will add to this time frame.

To get people to comply quickly, the SCA has activated a major incentive: there's a 3-year waiver on registration fees, renewal fees, and legal advice costs for this license.

This financial benefit completely removes the cost barrier for the first three years. The licensing system is already in place, and the SCA keeps an up-to-date list of authorized influencers on its website, showing who's officially registered.

Once registered, you must adhere to the SCA's code of conduct:

• Transparency: Clearly disclosing any compensation or affiliation related to promoted financial products.
• Risk disclaimers: All promotional content must prominently display a risk disclaimer.
• Scope: You must operate within the scope of your recommendations and analysis. You cannot offer personalized financial advice without a formal advisory license.

That's it. You are now an officially recognized and accountable provider of financial recommendations.

The government wants to formalize and regulate digital finance and create a clear framework for people who provide investment analysis, advice, and other finance information online. It can be really handy for some reasons:

By making a license mandatory, the UAE wants to:

• Reduce dangerous or fake financial advice online.
• Make sure that content creators are held accountable for the information they share.
• Increase the public's confidence in online financial discussions
• Make the UAE’s digital economy and financial sector safer for everyone.

This is part of the UAE's overall strategy to lead in innovation and keep people safe. As digital opportunities grow, financial literacy and safe investing are becoming more and more important.

To obtain a new license you will need to register with the SCA online or by phone 800722823 (a free call). If you want to make sure you get all the paperwork right, or if you just want to save some time, why not give us a call? We can help you get a new license or any other permits you might need.

Influencers are now classified as a business activity in the UAE. This means they can be fined for working without a license, which is required by law. Fines start at AED 5,000 in such cases.

If your content provides financial recommendations, analysis, or advice in the UAE, you must act immediately because the licensing regime is already in effect.

✅ Check requirements: Determine if you meet the specific Accreditation (CFA/SCA Analyst) or Influencer criteria (1,000 followers, 6 months experience).
✅ Gather documents: Begin gathering the necessary legal documents, such as your police clearance and credit report.
✅ Apply: Start the registration process with the SCA to become an officially authorized Finfluencer.