2 October 2026 · 6 min read
Shooting in Dubai and Saudi Arabia: What to Know About Permits
Permit requirements for commercial shoots differ by emirate and by country. A plain guide to what usually needs approval, who to ask, and how a local production partner removes the risk.
Short answer: yes, most commercial shoots in public places in the UAE and Saudi Arabia need a permit, and the rules differ by emirate and by location. Rules change, so always confirm current requirements with the relevant film authority before you lock a date.
What usually needs approval
- , Shooting in public spaces, streets, beaches, parks and landmarks
- , Drones and aerial filming, which have their own restrictions
- , Shooting on private property with a large crew or equipment
- , Government and heritage sites, and anything near sensitive buildings
- , Talent and content that touches regulated categories
Who you deal with
Each emirate has its own process, and Saudi Arabia runs separate approvals through its film and culture authorities. A local production partner already knows which office to approach, what to submit and how long it takes, which is usually the difference between a shoot that runs and a shoot that gets postponed.
How to protect your timeline
- , Brief your production partner on locations before you commit to dates
- , Build permit lead time into the schedule, and have a fallback location
- , Keep talent, music and brand claims reviewed for the market you are shooting in
- , Confirm insurance and crew licensing early
Cross-border shoots
If one campaign runs across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, plan the permits per country, not as one package. HAUS 808 produces across the Gulf from Dubai and handles approvals as part of production.
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Written by
HAUS 808 Studio, Dubai