Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Film Production Company Setup, Dubai, UAE
A film production company needs a media-activity licence plus a separate filming permit for any actual shoot, issued by Dubai's Film and TV Commission. Here's how the two fit together.
Free, no-obligation consultation on licence, permits and cost.
Setting up a film production company in Dubai needs a commercial media licence, from a media free zone like Dubai Studio City or the DED for mainland, but that licence alone doesn't let you film on location. Dubai's Film and TV Commission issues a separate filming permit for each shoot, covering location access, insurance and content approval. Specialized production equipment typically needs its own customs process to import, and UAE media regulations set content standards with defined penalty tiers.
Why It Matters
Your trade licence lets you legally operate a production company, it doesn't authorize you to film on location. Dubai's Film and TV Commission issues separate filming permits covering location access, insurance and content rules for each shoot, and equipment import for productions can also involve its own customs process. Budget and plan for both steps, not just company formation.
The Case For Dubai
Dubai's studios, industry infrastructure and connectivity make it a base for regional and international productions.
Purpose-built zones like Dubai Studio City give production companies studio access, equipment support and an industry-cluster ecosystem.
No local UAE sponsor or partner required for media and production activities.
Keep more of what your business earns, with no personal income tax in the UAE.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Beyond the Company Licence
A separate permit from Dubai's Film and TV Commission is required for each shoot.
Specialized production gear typically needs its own customs process to import.
UAE media regulations set content standards with defined penalty tiers.
Confirm compliance requirements for crew and freelance labour on your productions.
Getting Started
Film, TV or broader media production, mapped to the right licence category.
Media free zone (Dubai Studio City) or mainland, based on your client base.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
Passport copies, application form and business plan summary.
Settle registration and first-year package costs.
Issued once approval and payment are complete.
Submit a separate permit application per shoot with Dubai's Film and TV Commission.
Confirm customs and labour requirements before production begins.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Media free zone licence (from) | Several thousand AED annually, jurisdiction-dependent* |
| Filming permit | Separate fee per shoot, confirmed with Dubai's Film and TV Commission |
| Equipment import/customs | Confirmed per shipment, equipment-dependent |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying free zone income; 9% standard mainland rate above threshold* |
| Production incentives | Some jurisdictions offer rebate programs, confirm current eligibility |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published starting rates at the time of writing. Get a current package quote from your chosen free zone before budgeting a total project cost.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment