In short: to film professionally in Dubai you appoint a UAE-licensed production company, clear the script with the Dubai Film and TV Commission if the project is scripted, secure consent for each location, and hold a DFTC filming permit before the camera rolls. The permit itself takes one working day once location owners approve; script approval can take up to 25 business days, so it sets the timeline.
Last checked against the official DFTC pages: 24 September 2026.
Dubai is an easy city to film in once the paper is in order, and an expensive one when it is not. The rules are published by the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC), whose role passed in December 2024 to the newly announced Dubai Films and Games Commission; applications are still made on the DFTC portal. This page puts the steps in the order they actually happen.
The working order
- Write a brief. Dates, cities, pages or a treatment, crew size, kit and anything special such as drones, vehicles on public roads or crowds.
- Appoint a licensed UAE production house. DFTC does not issue filming permits directly to international companies. See how to hire a licensed house.
- Submit the script if the project is scripted. The full script is submitted even if only some scenes are shot in Dubai, and approval can take up to 25 business days. See script approval in Dubai.
- Lock the locations. Private locations need a no-objection certificate from the owner; government locations are approved through the commission.
- Apply for the filming permit. The licensed house files on the DFTC portal. See the filming permit guide for the documents and official fees.
- Arrange crew visas. International crew need valid work or business visas, arranged through the local production company.
- Shoot to the permit. Film only what the permit covers, with a member of the production house on set.
A realistic timeline
| Stage | Official time | What decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Script approval (scripted film and TV) | Up to 25 business days | The commission's review of the full script |
| Filming permit | One working day | Location owners' approval |
| Airport locations | 3 working days landside, 15 airside | Dubai Airports' own notice periods |
For an unscripted shoot at easy locations, the paper can move in days. For a scripted drama, plan the scout and bookings around the script window, and apply for the permit once the script is cleared.
When no permit is needed
The DFTC FAQ lists the cases that do not need a filming permit: weddings, events, educational filming by colleges and schools, press conferences, and filming for personal use. A paid shoot, a brand film or a crewed day on a public street is not personal use.
Drones, creators and other emirates
- Drones: aerial work needs aviation approvals as well as the filming permit. Read drone filming in Dubai.
- YouTubers and influencers: a planned, paid or branded shoot is professional filming; publishing paid content can also need a separate advertiser permit. Read YouTube filming permit in Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi and other emirates: each has its own film office and rules. Read filming in Dubai versus Abu Dhabi.
What it costs
DFTC publishes its fees: a non-refundable AED 520 processing fee per application, government location fees from AED 0 to AED 2,500 depending on the production type, and private location charges set by owners of up to AED 25,000 per day. The full table is in our filming permit guide. Production costs (crew, kit, locations, catering) are separate and depend on the brief.
Questions
- Do I need a local production house to film in Dubai?
- Yes, for a filming permit. DFTC says anyone who wants to film must appoint a UAE-licensed production company, and it does not issue permits directly to international companies.
- How long does it take to get permission to film in Dubai?
- The filming permit takes one working day once location owners approve. Scripted film and TV projects need script approval first, which can take up to 25 business days.
- Can I film in Dubai as a tourist?
- Filming for personal use does not need a permit. A paid, branded or crewed shoot is professional filming and does.
- Who issues filming permits in Dubai?
- Permits are issued through the Dubai Film and TV Commission portal. In December 2024 Dubai announced the Dubai Films and Games Commission as DFTC's successor under the Dubai Media Council.
Ready when you are.