How to Get a Photography and Film permit in UAE?

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How to Get a Photography and Film permit in UAE?
If you're a production house looking to shoot in
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras al Khaimah,
the first thing you need to check off the list is
getting a film permit in the UAE. UAE is the
most sought-after location for commercial film
productions, but many production companies find
it hard to get their hands on the required
photography and film permit. In this age, digital
photography and filmmaking have become more
popular than ever, and the local authorities of
the UAE want to regulate these activities for
the safety of both parties involved. Keep reading
to learn how you can apply for a photography or
film permit and what other things you need to
know about these permits.
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The Film Permit in the UAE What is it and Why
is it Necessary?

• A film permit is a permission required by
  production houses to shoot commercial videos, or
  movies anytime and at any place in the United
  Arab Emirates. The main reason is to avoid any
  legal issues later on. Plus, it also saves you
  from having to pay fines for filming without a
  permit.
• There are seven Emirates in the United Arab
  Emirates (UAE), each with its own administrative
  authority. To film anywhere in these emirates,
  you need a film permit from the local government
  authority, which is listed below
• Dubai - Dubai Film Tv Commission
• Sharjah - Sharjah Media Bureau
• Ras Al Khaimah - Ras Al Khaimah Tourism
  Development Authority
• Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Film Commission
• If you do not have a registered office in the
  UAE, you will need to contact a licensed media
  production company to help you get your film
  permit.
• It makes the process of securing permits
  hassle-free for you, allowing you to concentrate
  on your filming.
• What is the Process to Apply for the Film
  Permit?
• If you are filming in the UAE for the first time
  or if you have never applied for a permit under
  the new system, here are some simple steps that
  will help you get started
• The first step is to fill out the application
  form to express your interest in getting the
  permit and regarding some details about your
  project.
• It should include
• Your contact details
• Details about your project

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1. A Brief Description of the Concept of your
Project
The more detailed information you provide here,
the easier it will be for the service providers
to assess whether they can help with your
application or not. 2. Location(s) You Wish to
Shoot
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Location is a significant part of the permit
process. When you submit your documents, you are
asked for the location(s) you wish to shoot at
and when you plan to film there. You must know
this before submitting your documents if you want
to get a permit in time! It can take 3-4 working
days if everything goes smoothly, so its best to
ensure these details are worked out early on to
avoid any delays later on down the road. The
good news is that once these details are known,
everything else will fall into place quickly. 3.
A Copy of Your Script/Shot List
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A film script is a written document that outlines
the story of the project and its characters.
Usually, it will include dialogue, descriptions
of shots and camera angles, and the director's
notes. A shot list is an organised breakdown of
scenes for production or video that lists all the
shots needed to complete each scene. It's used by
producers and directors to plan out how long it
will take to shoot each scene and how much time
they'll need on set. Your permit application
should include the script because it helps the
authorities understand what exactly you are
filming in the UAE. Once you submit these
documents, a list of locations will be proposed
to you. You can choose the location and dates
that work best for you. If any changes are
required in the initial proposal, we will work
with the relevant parties to make that
happen. If approved, you will receive a letter of
intent which will confirm all the applicable
fees for obtaining shooting permits in the
decided location as well as additional services
such as Police Escort services, amongst others.
You need to sign the contract if you approve of
the terms and conditions
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• mentioned therein and follow up for payment
  processing details. Until this step is
  completed, you havent officially obtained your
  shooting permit yet, so make sure not to book
  tickets or pay off any filming equipment until
  this step is fulfilled!
• Also Read Top 9 Locations to Shoot Your Next
  Film in Dubai
• We are Here to Help
• The permit process can be a daunting task! We are
  here to help you with the whole process of
  applying for a permit to shoot or film within the
  UAE.
• When you choose us for acquiring film permits,
  you choose convenience. We not only help you get
  those permits quickly, but also we assist you to
  connect with all the relevant authorities
  efficiently for a seamless production process.
• Contact us at UAEFilmPermit today to commence
  your journey of filmmaking in the UAE.
• FAQs
• What is the purpose of getting a film permit?
• A film permit ensures that filmmakers,
  photographers, and videographers are aware of
  all rules and regulations in place for the
  production of films, photographs, or videos in
  the UAE, as well as the general safety procedures
  that should be taken while filming.
• Do I need a permit to film in Dubai?
• It depends on what you're filming. If it's a
  commercial shoot, you'll need permission from
  the municipality (the Dubai Media Free Zone
  Authority).
• However, if it is a non-commercial small scale
  project, then you can skip the permit process.

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3. Can I film at Dubai airport? If you want to
film at Dubai airport or its surroundings, make
sure you have a valid reason. For example, if
you're travelling on an aeroplane, filming
yourself with your camera/phone can be a valid
reason for filming. However, if you are filming
for commercial purposes, you will need the
necessary approvals.