FILMING IN
DUBAI,UAE
Filming in Dubai and the UAE: permits, crew and film production support for visiting productions
Filming in Dubai requires a permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission for every commercial shoot, a separate drone approval, and a local production partner for customs, locations and crew. NEEDaFIXER has run shoots across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE for international brands and broadcasters, and files every permit under its own UAE licence.
This page is for production companies, broadcasters, brands and agencies bringing a shoot to the Emirates: how Dubai filming permits work, what a filming permit costs and how long it takes, how to bring kit through customs on an ATA carnet, when to film, what the crew base looks like, and how Abu Dhabi’s rebate differs from Dubai. We are not a jobs board or a talent agency.
Why Choose NEEDaFIXER For Filming Permits In Dubai?
Unrivaled Local Knowledge:
With years of experience in the UAE, we know every corner of Dubai — from securing filming permits at the Burj Khalifa to desert logistics.
Full-Service Production Support:
We off er everything from pre-production planning and location scouting in Dubai to in-house post-production services, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.
State-of-the-Art Studios and Equipment:
We provide access to Dubai’s premier studios and the latest filming technology.
In-House Post-Production:
Our talented editors, VFX specialists, and AI artists work closely with you to deliver a polished final product that stands out.
Experienced and Diverse Team:
Our producers and fixers bring a wealth of knowledge and are dedicated to making your experience enjoyable and productive.
Filming permits across all seven emirates: seamless filming beyond Dubai
While Dubai is a world-renowned hub for film production, the other emirates offer equally diverse landscapes. NEEDaFIXER provides full production services and handles filming permits across all seven emirates.
ABU DHABI
Known for its futuristic architecture and sprawling deserts, Abu Dhabi is a top destination for action-packed scenes and breathtaking landscapes. We can secure permits for iconic
locations such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Liwa Desert and provide expert
local crews familiar with the emirate’s regulations.
SHARJAH
Sharjah’s rich cultural heritage and traditional souks make it a fantastic setting for
documentaries and period films. Our film fixers in Sharjah can guide you through the
local regulations and help you access hidden gems that will elevate your project.
AJMAN
Ajman offers a laid-back atmosphere with stunning beaches and historical sites — perfect for intimate stories or commercial shoots. We navigate Ajman’s permit requirements for you.
RAS AL KHAIMAH
Ras Al Khaimah is known for its rugged mountains and desert terrain, ideal for adventure and outdoor scenes. Filming permits in Ras Al Khaimah are issued through the emirate’s tourism development authority, and our crew facilitates high-altitude filming on Jebel Jais and manages desert conditions.
UMM AL QUWAIN
For water-based shoots or a more off-the-beaten-path vibe, Umm Al Quwain provides serene landscapes, mangroves, and islands. We handle all logistical challenges, from boat rentals to filming permits, ensuring a smooth experience.
FUJAIRAH
Fujairah’s dramatic coastline and mountain ranges offer unparalleled natural beauty. Whether you’re filming underwater or capturing scenic drone shots, we have the expertise to support your vision in this unique emirate.
Which authorities issue filming permits in the UAE?
Four sets of relevant authorities decide whether a shoot happens. The Dubai Film and TV Commission issues the filming permits for every commercial shoot in Dubai and reviews scripts for visual media productions. Private venues – Emaar downtown, the Palm resorts, malls and hotels – grant their own no-objection certificates, which the Commission requires before the official permits are released. The General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority clear drone flights and aerial footage. And in Abu Dhabi the Abu Dhabi Film Commission runs a separate ground-filming permit with its own script approval. International companies cannot apply to any of them directly: the law requires a UAE-licensed production company, which is the role we fill, obtaining the required permits and keeping filming activities inside the local rules. The Commission now sits under the Dubai Media Council, following the creation of the Dubai Films and Games Commission in late 2024. Our Dubai and UAE filming permits guide sets out the process, the documents and the lead times in full.
Drones add a second layer: the General Civil Aviation Authority licenses aerial work nationally and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority issues a no-objection certificate for commercial flights in the emirate, with no-fly zones around airports, heliports, government and military sites, a 120 m ceiling and daylight, line-of-sight operation. Abu Dhabi is a separate jurisdiction: the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority, issues a Ground Filming Permit covering the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions, scripted work needs Media Regulatory Office script approval first, and the twofour54 free zone and its Tawasol service support productions through the application.
Bringing filming equipment into the UAE: customs and the ATA carnet
The UAE accepts the ATA carnet for professional film equipment, so camera, lighting, grip and sound packages – the best equipment your DOP specifies, brought from the UK, Europe or the US – enter on temporary admission without paying duty, provided the carnet lists every item and serial number and the kit leaves again within the validity period. Without a carnet, Dubai Customs requires a refundable deposit against the duty and a customs broker at the airport. Drones, radio microphones and satellite equipment are regulated separately and can be held at customs without prior approvals, so declare them on the permit application before the crew flies. We meet the filming equipment at Dubai International or Al Maktoum, clear it with the carnet and hold it in bonded storage when a multi-emirate schedule needs it, so a customs hold never becomes a legal issue on the day.
When to film in Dubai: heat, Ramadan and public holidays
November to March is the production season: daytime temperatures in the twenties, clear light and workable exteriors all day. From May to September the heat passes 40°C, exterior shoots move to dawn, dusk and night, and desert days need medical cover, shade and shortened calls. Ramadan moves forward about eleven days a year (it falls in February and March in 2027): filming continues, but daytime eating, drinking and smoking on set in public spaces is not permitted, government offices and the permit desks work shorter hours, and night shoots become easier as the city stays up late. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha close offices for several days; UAE National Day on 2 December brings road closures and celebrations that either help or block a shoot depending on the scene.
Crew, kit and the filming experience: what a production company finds in Dubai
Dubai has the deepest commercial crew base in the Middle East: directors of photography, camera and lighting crews, gaffers, grips, sound recordists, art departments and production coordinators who work in English and are used to international productions. The film industry here has grown around that demand over a decade, and rental houses in Al Quoz and Dubai Studio City carry current camera, lighting and grip packages, Dubai Studio City has sound stages and backlots, and Abu Dhabi adds the twofour54 studios. A visiting production company typically flies its director, DOP and key creatives and hires the rest locally; we supply a bilingual production manager, the crew, the equipment and the transport under one contract through our extensive network, and take the necessary precautions on desert and marine days – heat, water and sand rules that filmmakers arriving for the first time rarely plan for.
Feature films, commercials and music videos: film production formats we service
Most of the shoots we service in Dubai are commercials, music videos, fashion and branded content for international brands and agencies, plus documentary and factual units for broadcasters and second-unit work for feature films. Feature films use the emirate for city, desert and studio scenes, and the same film production process applies to each: permit, location approval, crew, kit, schedule. The filming experience for an agency is fast: a treatment becomes a schedule, a budget and a permit application within days, because the Dubai Film and TV Commission process is predictable when the paperwork is complete and the production company is licensed.
Abu Dhabi: up to 50% rebate and how it differs from Dubai
Dubai offers permits and logistics support but no cash rebate. Abu Dhabi does: the Abu Dhabi film rebate returns 35% of qualifying spend in the emirate, rising to 50% through a points-based uplift for UAE content, local post production and Emirati talent, with a USD 200,000 minimum for features, a USD 10 million cap and pre-approval available for commercials and music videos (verified July 2026). Abu Dhabi also runs its own permits through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, so a shoot that uses both emirates carries two permit files and, if the Abu Dhabi spend is large enough, one rebate application. Many feature films and series now shoot the city in Dubai and the desert or studio work in Abu Dhabi for exactly this reason; see our film tax incentives by country table for how the UAE compares.
Filming locations in Dubai: desert, marina, old Dubai and studios
Downtown and the Burj Khalifa are private, managed locations where the venue owner’s approval sits on top of the Dubai filming permits; Dubai Marina, JBR and most public beaches work on the standard permit; Palm Jumeirah mixes public roads with private resorts; Al Fahidi, Al Seef and the Deira souks give the old-Dubai look with tight streets and early calls; the Al Qudra and Al Marmoom desert and the Lahbab dunes need conservation-area permits and often an escort; Hatta supplies mountains and a lake; and Dubai Studio City provides stages when the exterior is not the point. Our location scouts send a pack with photographs, permit route and travel times for each, and we obtain the location permits alongside the city permit so the whole package clears together.
Our Work
Explore our portfolio — from high-end TVCs for global brands to documentaries and feature films shot across Dubai and the UAE.
Our Dubai Office In Dubai Marina
Our stunning office in Dubai Marina is the heart of our Middle East operations. Here, our passionate team of expert producers, line producers, production managers, and coordinators work tirelessly to make your project a reality. Our team handles even the most complex shoots while keeping energy and morale high
International productions we have serviced in Dubai and the UAE
We’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and production houses. Our deep knowledge of Dubai’s iconic and hidden filming locations, world-class studios and versatile urban and desert landscapes makes us the ideal partner for your shoot.
Meet The Team
At NEEDaFIXER Dubai, our team is our greatest asset. Each member is a true expert in their craft.
Senior Producers:
Our senior producers have extensive experience in high-end TVCs, feature films, and complex multi-location shoots. They excel at managing large teams and ensuring seamless communication and execution.
Line Producers:
Experts at budget management and logistics, our line producers work tirelessly to make sure everything runs on schedule and within budget, whether you’re filming in a luxury hotel or the middle of the desert.
Production Managers:
Our production managers oversee day-to-day operations, managing everything from crew schedules to equipment rentals, and ensuring every detail is covered.
Production Coordinators:
They keep everything organized, liaising between departments and making sure your shoot is a well-oiled machine.
Post-Production Team:
Our in-house post-production department features some of the best editors, VFX specialists, and AI artists in the industry, ready to bring your footage to life.
Our diverse team makes filming in Dubai productive and enjoyable, with a collaborative approach that delivers top results.
Testimonial
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film in Dubai?
Yes. A filming permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission is required for almost every professional shoot in Dubai, and landmark and private locations need additional location permits or an owner’s no-objection certificate. NEEDaFIXER applies as your UAE-licensed production partner and secures the approvals.
How much does a filming permit in Dubai cost?
Permit fees are charged per application and per location type, and private venues, desert reserves and landmark sites add their own location fees. There is no single published price for a shoot, so we itemise the permit and location fees in your line-item budget before you commit.
Can you film the Burj Khalifa without a permit?
No. Downtown Dubai and the area around the Burj Khalifa are private, managed locations: you need the standard DFTC filming permit plus the venue owner’s approval, and drone shots need a separate aviation clearance. Casual tourist photography is different from a commercial shoot with crew and equipment.
How long do Dubai filming permits take?
Non-scripted shoots are typically approved in two to three working days once the documents are complete; scripted films and series can take up to around 25 working days because of the script-clearance stage. Drone and private-location approvals run in parallel. We build these lead times into the schedule.
Is there a film rebate in Dubai?
No. Dubai offers permits and logistics support but no cash rebate. Abu Dhabi runs a 35% rebate rising to 50% with the UAE-content uplift, with a USD 200,000 minimum for features and a USD 10 million cap, so multi-emirate productions often place their qualifying spend there.
When is the best time to film in Dubai?
November to March, when temperatures sit in the twenties and exteriors work all day. Summer shoots move to dawn, dusk and night because of 40-degree heat, and during Ramadan daytime eating and drinking on set in public is not permitted and permit desks keep shorter hours.
Contact Us Today
Ready to bring your project to life in Dubai and across the UAE? At NEEDaFIXER Dubai, we’re committed to providing exceptional production services that exceed your expectations. Contact us today to discuss your needs and see how we can make your vision a reality.
