Filming Permits: A Guide for Every Major City

Updated April 2026 · 8 min read

One of the most common questions we receive is: "Do I need a filming permit?" The short answer is: it depends on the city and the location. Here's a practical guide based on our experience shooting across 51 cities worldwide.

When You Definitely Need a Permit

Any shoot on public land — streets, parks, plazas, government buildings — requires a permit in virtually every major city. The same applies to drone flights, which require additional aviation authority clearance in most jurisdictions.

Shoots involving road closures, large crews (typically 10+ people), or heavy equipment (cranes, dollies, generators) almost always require permits regardless of location.

When You Probably Don't

Small-crew shoots (1–3 people) inside private offices, hotel conference rooms, or studio spaces typically don't require government permits — only written permission from the property owner or venue management.

City-by-City Overview

London

Film London coordinates filming across the city. Borough councils issue permits for their respective areas. Standard processing time is 5–10 working days. Our London team handles all applications.

New York

The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment issues free filming permits for most public locations. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Police coordination is required for shoots involving vehicle staging or road impact. Our New York crew manages the entire process.

Dubai

The Dubai Film and TV Commission issues permits for all public filming. Free zone areas (DIFC, Media City) have their own permit processes. Our Dubai team navigates both systems.

Singapore

IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) oversees filming permits. Parks and nature reserves require separate NParks approval. Our Singapore crew handles all coordination.

Tokyo

The Tokyo Film Commission coordinates permits for public spaces. Ward-level approvals are also required. Processing can take 2–3 weeks, so plan ahead. Our Tokyo team manages the full process.

Paris

The City of Paris film office issues permits for public locations. Iconic locations (Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées) have additional requirements. Our Paris crew handles everything.

The Bottom Line

Permit requirements shouldn't be a blocker for your video project. At Videographer.media, we handle all filming permits as part of our pre-production process across every city we operate in — the cost is included in your quote.