In short: Dubai and Abu Dhabi issue filming permits separately. In Dubai, a UAE-licensed production company applies to the Dubai Film and TV Commission (AED 520 processing, permit in one working day once locations approve). In Abu Dhabi, the Creative Media Authority issues content approval and ground, aerial and marine permits (AED 500 per day, up to 15 working days for ground permits). Abu Dhabi offers a 35% production rebate, rising to 50%; we have not found a published cash rebate in Dubai.
Last checked against official DFTC, Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Film Commission pages: 24 September 2026.
Producers search "film in Abu Dhabi vs Dubai" because the pictures look like one country and the paper does not. Dubai filming permits are issued through the Dubai Film and TV Commission. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission explains that permits and content approval come from the Creative Media Authority. A schedule that uses both cities is two applications.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi side by side
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues the filming permit | Dubai Film and TV Commission (portal filmdubai.gov.ae) | Creative Media Authority, through its Circle portal |
| Foreign applicant | Must appoint a UAE-licensed production company | The rebate applicant must be an Abu Dhabi company with a CMA trade licence; confirm permit applicant rules with CMA |
| Script or content | Script approval before the permit for film and TV: free, up to 25 business days | Content approval: AED 500 per script, up to 15 working days |
| Ground permit | AED 520 processing plus location fees; one working day once locations approve | AED 500 per day; up to 15 working days |
| Aerial | DCAA flight approvals plus a DFTC aerial permit (AED 0 location fee) | AED 500 per day aerial NOC, up to 3 working days, plus GCAA approval |
| Production incentive | No published cash rebate found | 35% base rebate, up to 50% |
The Abu Dhabi rebate
From 1 January 2025 the Abu Dhabi Film Commission raised its base rebate from 30% to 35% of qualifying spend, with uplifts that can take it to 50% through a points system. Qualifying spend is below-the-line spend in Abu Dhabi: crew, production and post-production services, locations and studios, equipment, construction, travel and hotels. According to the official rebate pages:
- Minimum qualifying spend: AED 734,500 (US$200,000) for features, AED 183,625 (US$50,000) for TV, AED 91,812 (US$25,000) for short-form such as commercials and music videos.
- Caps: US$10 million for features and US$2 million for a TV programme or series.
- The applicant is an Abu Dhabi production or production services company with a CMA trade licence; a foreign producer can apply through such a company.
- Apply at least 30 business days before principal photography.
Studios in each emirate
Dubai Studio City lists three sound stages of more than 65,000 sq ft and six studios totalling more than 96,000 sq ft. In Abu Dhabi, twofour54 lists Sound Stage 01 at 1,500 m² with a 14.8 m ceiling, and a 300,000 m² backlot.
How to pick
Pick the emirate the camera actually stands in, not the hotel you sleep in. If the budget is large enough to reach Abu Dhabi's minimum spend, the rebate can change the maths; if the story needs Dubai's skyline, streets or desert edges, the paper is simpler here. Dubai is our house. We are based in Dubai; name the emirate in the first email, and if the job is only Abu Dhabi we will say so honestly, including when you need a partner who files on that side.
Questions
- Is there one filming permit for the whole UAE?
- No. Dubai and Abu Dhabi issue permits separately, so a shoot in both emirates needs two sets of applications.
- What is the Abu Dhabi film rebate?
- A 35% base rebate on qualifying Abu Dhabi spend since 1 January 2025, rising to up to 50% with uplifts, with minimum spends from AED 91,812 for short-form to AED 734,500 for features.
- Does Dubai offer a film production rebate?
- We have not found a published cash rebate for productions in Dubai on the official film commission pages.
- Do you handle Abu Dhabi shoots?
- We are a Dubai house. Write the cities and we will say plainly what we can hold and when you need an Abu Dhabi partner.
Ready when you are.