The Creative Sector In Dubai

Dubai welcomes talents from all over the world and seeks to provide the appropriate climate for them to realise their ambitions and aspirations. The creative sector is part of the city's economy and quality of life and a major driver for its future economy, based on knowledge, innovation and creativity. Hence, in April 2021, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy to ensure the development and prosperity of the creative sector in Dubai by providing the legislative, investment and technical environment necessary for the growth and prosperity of this sector as well as by increasing the emirate’s attractiveness to innovators, investors and entrepreneurs in the creative field, contributing to transforming Dubai into a global capital of the creative economy.

The Dubai Creative Economy Strategy is being implemented under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The Authority supervises its implementation in cooperation with a number of strategic partners in order to achieve one goal, which is to create an integrated system that supports innovators and their businesses, which will enhance the creative economy in Dubai. 

Dubai Culture is the authority entrusted with the emirate’s cultural and creative sector, and is committed to enriching its cultural scene and enhancing the city’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Dubai Culture is also committed to reviving and preserving the emirate's historical heritage and highlighting its contemporary cultural fabric.

Creative Supporting Services And Solutions

Dubai, represented by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and in cooperation with public and private sector partners, provide an integrated ecosystem that would help talents not only to establish their creative business, but also to avail a set of services that enhance the prosperity of their businesses and develop their skills; these services include but are not limited to: The cultural visa, the first-of-its-kind long-term visa offered for creative talents, banking solutions and services, flexible creative work spaces, technology services, an e-commerce marketplace platform for displaying and selling their creative products and educational services in various fields, as well as consulting services among others. To know more and leverage from these services, please visit this link

The Creatives Business Establishment Journey

One platform, within 7 minutes on the Invest in Dubai platform

• Select the type of creative domain
• Choose the licence type
• Receive the establishment certificate of residence and citizenship
• Pay the fees
• Receive your licence

Creative Domains

Creative domains cover a wide range of activities across six main Cultural and Creative sectors: cultural and natural heritage, books and press, performing arts and celebration, audio-visual and interactive media, visual arts and crafts, and design and creative services, in addition to other fields that branch out from it, such as the publishing industry and books, cinema, film and video, music, various art domains, cultural heritage museums, historical sites, archives, major cultural events, libraries, and other related sub-sectors.

Creative Licences:

• DED trader license: open to all nationalities and allows freelancers to work from home
• Intilaq licence: open to Emirati and GCC citizens
• SME license: open to Emirati and GCC citizens
• Instant licence: for business owners of all nationalities – enables entrepreneurs and investors to issue a licence within minutes and start operating very quickly

Al Quoz Creative Zone

Launched to serve as a hub for creative talents, offering facilities, services and incentives for them to live and work. It aims to attract creative talents and investors in various areas of the Creative Economy, which enhances the value of this region as a regional and global creative centre. The project aligns with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and will offer all creative-related services, licenses and permits.

Al Quoz Creative Zone will host a wide variety of cultural and creative industries and creative businesses, such as: the publishing and book industry, audio-visual and print media; cinema, music, art exhibitions, cultural events and activities and more.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, chairs the Higher Committee of the Al Quoz Creative Zone development, which includes members from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Tourism, Dubai Municipality, Department of Economic Development and Wasl Group. The creative zone project aligns with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, and it serves as an integrated center for all creative businesses, to contribute to the development of the Creative Economy in Dubai and to further support the growth and prosperity of the creative industries in it.