Corporate Video Production in Dubai: Permit & Planning Guide

Quick answer: Yes, corporate video production in Dubai requires a filming permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC), even for internal, promotional, or non-broadcast business videos. The permit type depends on your location (public, private, or government property), whether you're using drones, and whether the public will appear on camera. Standard permits typically take 2-5 working days once documents are submitted correctly, and up to 10 working days for sensitive locations. 

Key Takeaways

• Corporate videos filmed in Dubai, including brand films, office tours, testimonials, and product shoots, legally require a DFTC filming permit, regardless of budget or crew size.
• Three main permit categories apply: government/public location, private property, and drone/aerial permits, each with its own approval authority.
• Standard approvals take 2-5 working days, but malls, hotels, government buildings, airports, and heritage sites can take up to 10 working days.
• Required documents include a project brief, shot list or script outline, crew passport copies, and location confirmation.
• Permit costs include a fixed processing fee plus location fees that vary by venue type, so we recommend budgeting early rather than assuming a flat rate.
• Working with a licensed UAE filming permit partner reduces delays, since agencies coordinate directly with authorities and private property owners on your behalf.

Why Corporate Videos Need a Filming Permit in Dubai

Many business owners assume permits only apply to feature films, TV commercials, or music videos. In practice, Dubai's filming regulations cover any commercial camera activity in a public or private space, and corporate video counts. This includes:

• Company brand films and "about us" videos
• Office or facility walkthroughs
• Employee or client testimonial interviews shot outdoors or in public-facing venues
• Product demo videos filmed on location
• Corporate event coverage and conference recaps
• LinkedIn or internal training content shot outside a private office

If your crew is filming anywhere outside your own private, enclosed office space, a hotel lobby, a mall, a public street, Business Bay, DIFC, or a beachfront venue, a permit is almost always required. For a full breakdown of who needs approval, see our guide on who is required to get a permit for photography and videography.

Which Authority Issues Corporate Video Permits in Dubai?

The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) is the primary regulator for commercial filming activity in the emirate. Depending on your shoot, you may also need sign-off from:

• The property owner or facility management — for malls, hotels, and office towers
• Dubai Municipality or the relevant free zone authority — for filming in specific districts like DIFC or JLT
• The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) — if drones are involved
• Dubai Police — for shoots involving road closures, large crews, or public crowd management

Because a single corporate shoot can touch several of these authorities at once, most production teams use a licensed coordinator rather than applying directly. Our complete guide to filming in Dubai explains how these authorities interact in more detail.

Types of Permits a Corporate Shoot May Need

1. Government/Public Location Permit

Required for filming in streets, public squares, waterfronts, parks, and other government-managed spaces even for a quick B-roll shot outside your office building.

2. Private Property Permit

Required when filming inside a mall, hotel, restaurant, private office building, or residential venue that isn't your own registered business premises. Owner consent plus a formal permit is typically needed. See our detailed post on filming permits on private property for a full checklist.

3. Drone/Aerial Filming Permit

Corporate videos increasingly use drone shots for skyline b-roll or facility overviews. Drone use requires separate GCAA and DFTC clearance regardless of drone size. Our drone filming permit guide covers the approval process and restricted zones.

4. Talent and Crew-Related Approvals

If your corporate video involves on-camera talent, models, or interview subjects who aren't employees, releases and, in some cases, additional documentation may be required alongside the standard filming permit.

Documents You'll Need Before Applying

To keep approval timelines tight, prepare the following before submission:

1. A one-page project brief describing the purpose of the video (internal, marketing, investor, recruitment, etc.)
2. A shot list, script outline, or storyboard
3. Confirmed filming date(s), time(s), and location(s)
4. Passport copies for all crew members, including any foreign nationals
5. Equipment list (cameras, lighting, drones, generators)
6. Written consent from the private property owner, if applicable

 Planning Timeline: How Far in Advance to Apply

Standard DFTC processing usually takes 2-5 working days once a complete application is submitted. Sensitive locations, such as malls, hotels, government buildings, airports, and heritage sites, can take up to 10 working days because they require additional sign-off from the venue or a second authority. Drone approvals and peak business seasons (major Dubai events, exhibitions, and public holidays) can extend this further.

We recommend planning your corporate shoot at least 1-2 weeks ahead. That buffer covers document revisions, private venue negotiations, and any last-minute crew changes without forcing you to reschedule the shoot date.

What Does a Corporate Video Filming Permit Cost?

Permit costs for a corporate shoot in Dubai break down into three main components: a fixed application fee, a location fee, and any add-on approvals your shoot needs. Here's how each one works.

1. DFTC Application Processing Fee

Every application to the DFTC carries a non-refundable processing fee of AED 520. This fee applies per application, not per location, so a single application covering multiple days or multiple sites still only carries one processing charge. Budget for this fee regardless of how small your shoot is.

2. Location Fees

Location fees depend entirely on where you film:

• Government-managed locations (streets, parks, waterfronts, and other public spaces) follow a fixed fee matrix set by the Dubai Government Executive Council. The exact rate depends on your project type and how many days you need the location.
• Private locations (malls, hotels, restaurants, office towers, residential venues) are capped at a maximum of AED 25,000 per day, but the final number is set by the property owner and can vary based on demand, brand exclusivity, and how much support the venue provides. Some venues also pass on extra charges for security, clean-up, or after-hours access.

Because private venue fees aren't standardized, we recommend confirming pricing with the property management team before you lock in a shoot date.

3. Add-On Costs to Budget For

A few common extras can add to your total:

• Drone/aerial approval. GCAA and DFTC drone clearance carries its own fee on top of the standard location permit.
• Road closures or crowd management. Shoots that need Dubai Police coordination for traffic or crowd control usually involve an additional charge.
• Customs clearance. International crews bringing in cameras, lighting, or drones may need to budget for customs processing on top of permit costs.
• Expedited processing. If it's available for your location type, faster turnaround can carry a premium over standard processing.

4. What Actually Drives Your Total Cost

In practice, three factors move your total permit cost more than anything else:

• Location type. Public streets are typically cheaper than a branded mall or five-star hotel.
• Shoot duration. Fees are charged per day, so a two-day shoot costs roughly double a one-day shoot at the same venue.
• Equipment and crew size. Larger crews, cranes, generators, and drones can all trigger additional approvals or fees at certain venues.

Permit fees are set by government resolution and by individual property owners, so they can change. For a full breakdown across permit categories with current figures, read how much a film permit costs in the UAE, or contact us directly for a quote based on your shoot's exact locations and dates.

Common Planning Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming small crews don't need permits. Even a two-person crew with a single camera filming outside your office is subject to the same rules as a larger production.
• Skipping drone clearance. Using an unregistered or unapproved drone even briefly can lead to equipment confiscation and fines.
• Booking a private venue without confirming permit-friendliness. Not all malls and hotels allow commercial filming; confirm with the venue and secure written consent early.
• Leaving customs clearance for equipment until the last minute. International crews bringing in cameras or drones need customs approval alongside the filming permit.
• Not budgeting extra time during peak seasons. Approvals can take longer around major Dubai events, exhibitions, and public holidays.

Plan Your Corporate Shoot the Right Way

Corporate video production in Dubai can move fast once the paperwork is in order. UAE Film Permit coordinates directly with the Dubai Film and TV Commission, private venues, and relevant authorities so your production team can focus on the creative work.

Apply for your filming permit now →