Summary
1. Who Issues the Filming Permit?
2. How Do You Get a Shooting Permit?
3. What Services Does a Licensed Production Company Provide?
4. Who Needs a Film Permit in the UAE?
5. When Do You Actually Need a Shooting Permit?
6. What Type of Filming Permit Do You Need?
7. How Long Does It Take to Get a Shooting Permit in Dubai?
8. What Is the Permit Fee for Shooting in the UAE?
Conclusion
Summary
Filming in Dubai and Abu Dhabi requires securing a permit before any shoot day, and the process comes down to eight things you need to get right: knowing which authority issues your permit, working with a UAE-licensed production partner, understanding the specific permit type your shoot requires, confirming who legally needs a permit, checking whether your shoot triggers a permit requirement in the first place, budgeting for fees that vary by location and duration, and building in a 3–4 day lead time for approval. Skip any of these and you risk delays, on-site shutdowns, or a fine of up to AED 30,000. This guide walks through each aspect so you can plan with confidence.
UAE is one of the most attractive filming destinations in the world, home to standout locations for weddings, films, TV commercials, and promotional shoots. But before you plan a shoot here, it's essential to secure the right permits.
The government enforces strict guidelines, and shooting without a filming permit carries a penalty of up to AED 30,000. The safest approach is always to secure your film and photography permits before you start planning logistics. For the full process end to end, see our ultimate guide to filming in Dubai.
Below, we break down the frequently asked questions about Dubai & Abu Dhabi Filming and Photography Permits.
1. Who Issues the Filming Permit?
The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) is the authorized body that issues filming permission letters in Dubai, while a separate authority governs permits in Abu Dhabi — see Abu Dhabi filming permit requirements for how that process differs.
Every commercial shoot — whether it's a feature film, a TV commercial, or a branded social media video — needs to route its application through the DFTC or the relevant authority in Abu Dhabi before filming begins. Because the approval process involves several stakeholders (location owners, local authorities, sometimes traffic police), most production teams work through a licensed local partner rather than applying directly, which is where step 2 comes in.
Read more on issuing a photography film permit in the UAE for a full breakdown of the process.
2. How Do You Get a Shooting Permit?
To get a shooting permit, you need to appoint a UAE-licensed production company to submit and manage the application on your behalf.
This isn't just a formality — international productions and individuals typically cannot apply directly to the DFTC, so the licensed partner acts as your local sponsor, handles the paperwork, and liaises with the authority throughout the review. In practice, this means sharing your shoot dates, locations, and crew details with your production partner early, since they'll need lead time to prepare a compliant application.
For the full walkthrough, see our step-by-step guide to getting a film and photography permit.
3. What Services Does a Licensed Production Company Provide?
A licensed production company does more than file paperwork. Once they have your shoot details, they'll obtain your filming permission and typically bundle in the operational support a shoot day actually needs — things like a dedicated location manager, transportation for cast and crew, and coordination with any third parties whose sign-off your locations require.
Much of that groundwork starts before the application is even filed, with proper location scouting in the UAE to confirm a site is actually workable.
For most productions, this partner becomes the single point of contact for everything permit-related, from initial application to any last-minute changes on the day.
4. Who Needs a Film Permit in the UAE?
A permit is required for any individual, corporation, production company, or entity shooting in Dubai for a wide range of purposes: feature films, weddings, TV commercials, commercial photography, and social media video shoots (including YouTube content) intended for marketing.
See our full breakdown of who is required to get a permit for photography and videography for edge cases.
In short — if the output is going to be published, broadcast, or used commercially in any way, it needs a permit, regardless of how small the crew or how casual the setup looks. Get your Dubai & Abu Dhabi filming permit here.
5. When Do You Actually Need a Shooting Permit?
You need a shooting permit if your shoot falls under any of the following:
- It's a commercial shoot (anything intended for sale, broadcast, or marketing use)
- You're filming on public property
- Your filming disturbs traffic or pedestrians in any way
- You're using technical equipment such as lighting rigs, drones, or dollies
If your shoot ticks any one of these boxes, you're required to have a permit in hand before filming — not applied for, but approved.
For a closer look at what's allowed and what isn't, see photography and videography in Dubai: where it's allowed and where it's not.
6. What Type of Filming Permit Do You Need?
The permit type you need depends entirely on where and how you're filming:
- Public Ground Permit — required if you're shooting on a public ground location, such as a street, park, or beach.
- Private Location Permit — required for shoots on private property, with specific requirements depending on the status and ownership of the location.
- Aerial Permit — required for any shoot involving drones or other aerial filming equipment, given the UAE's tightly regulated airspace.
- Special Film Permit — required for offshore locations or shoots near oil installations, which fall under separate security and safety protocols.
If you're filming on private property, our guide on whether you need a film permit on private property covers the specific rules.
For drone or aerial work specifically, see our dedicated guide to drone filming permits in Dubai before you plan your shoot.
Choosing the wrong permit type is one of the most common causes of delay, so confirm your location type with your production partner before applying.
7. How Long Does It Take to Get a Shooting Permit in Dubai?
Getting a shooting permit typically takes three to four business days. That window can extend depending on the complexity of your locations — a straightforward private venue shoot moves faster than a multi-location public shoot that needs sign-off from several authorities, or one requiring an aerial or special permit.
See how this affects production timelines and budgets in more detail.
Because of this, it's best to contact your licensed production company well ahead of your shoot day rather than assuming a rush application will be accommodated.
8. What Is the Permit Fee for Shooting in the UAE?
Permit fees for filming in the UAE aren't fixed — they vary based on the location, the duration of your shoot, and the availability of that location on your requested dates. A single-day shoot at a standard public location will typically cost less than a multi-day shoot at a high-demand private venue or one requiring special access.
For a detailed cost breakdown, see how much a film permit costs in the UAE.
Because of this variability, it's worth getting a quote from your production partner once your locations and schedule are confirmed, rather than budgeting off a flat estimate.
Conclusion
To secure your shooting permission and film permit in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, get in touch with Studio 52, a leading provider of film permission and production-planning services in the UAE. If you have questions about filming permits, you know who to call.
For more updates on filming permits in the UAE, stay connected at UAE Film Permit.
