Filming permits in the UAE
We arrange the filming, location and drone permits for shoots in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the other emirates and Saudi Arabia. Book us for the permits only, or with our crew. We have handled permits for our own productions since 2006.
What we arrange
Every approval your shoot needs
One team for the paperwork, from the first location check to the issued permit.
Filming permits
As a licensed production company registered with the Dubai Film and TV Commission, we apply for the filming permit from the right authority in each emirate and follow it up until it is issued.
DFTC · Abu Dhabi · GCAM
Location approvals
We request the No Objection Certificates from landowners and operators: developers such as Emaar and Nakheel, hotels, malls, Dubai Municipality for parks and beaches, and the Ministry of Culture for museums and cultural sites.
Owner NOCs · Municipality
Drone and helicopter permits
GCAA, DCAA and Ministry of Defence approvals, plus a NOTAM for flights near restricted zones. Also for productions flying their own licensed drones.
GCAA · DCAA · MOD
Drone permit guide →Risk assessments
The risk assessments, method statements and safety plans that authorities ask for on night, crowd and other complex shoots.
Scouting and on-set support
We shortlist locations that can be approved for your dates. On the day, our location manager deals with the authorities, security and access.
Authorities
Who approves what
Each emirate issues its own filming permits, and federal bodies cover drones, security and cultural sites. We apply to all of them for you.
- Dubai
- The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) issues the filming permit. Dubai Municipality approves parks, beaches and public land, and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) approves drone flights.
- Abu Dhabi
- The Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority, issues filming permits. Drone flights need GCAA, Ministry of Defence and Abu Dhabi Police approvals.
- Northern Emirates
- Each emirate has its own permit office, such as the Sharjah Media Council, the Tourism Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah and the Government Media Office in Fujairah.
- Federal
- The GCAA licenses drone operators, the Ministry of Defence gives security clearance, the Ministry of Culture covers museums and cultural sites, and the UAE Media Council approves feature film scripts.
- Saudi Arabia
- The General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) issues filming permits and approves scripts. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) approves aerial filming.
On location
Shoots we have cleared
How it works
From brief to issued permit
Send the brief
Dates, locations, crew size and what you are filming.
We map the approvals
You get the list of permits and NOCs your shoot needs, with a realistic timeline.
We apply and follow up
We submit the applications and answer the authorities’ questions until the permits are issued.
We support the shoot
Our location manager is on site to handle the authorities, security and access.
Questions
Filming permits: common questions
- Do I need a permit to film in Dubai?
- Yes. Commercial filming in public places in Dubai needs a permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission, applied for through a UAE-licensed production company such as ChopperShoot. Filming without a permit can be fined up to AED 25,000.
- How long does a filming permit take in the UAE?
- A ground filming permit in Dubai usually takes 2 to 8 days, depending on the size of the production and the location. Drone permits take longer: usually 14 to 16 working days in Dubai and 18 to 20 in Abu Dhabi. A script review or a sensitive location can add time. Government projects and major events can sometimes be expedited, case by case, but this is never guaranteed. We give you a realistic timeline for your dates before you book.
- What documents do we need for a filming permit?
- Usually a letter of intent describing the project, your company trade licence, the script or treatment, a crew list with passport copies, an equipment list and insurance. Every location also needs its owner's No Objection Certificate. We tell you exactly what applies to your shoot.
- Can you get permission to film at landmarks?
- Yes, with the owner's approval on top of the filming permit. We have flown from the Burj Al Arab helipad and filmed brand projections on the Burj Khalifa. See our Burj Khalifa projects.
- Do you arrange permits outside Dubai?
- Yes, across all seven emirates and in Saudi Arabia, with offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Productions filming in Abu Dhabi may also qualify for the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's cash rebate, which starts at 35% of qualifying spend.
- Can we book you for permits only?
- Yes. You can book us for the permits alone, including drone permits for a production flying its own licensed drones, or together with our crew and equipment.