Do foreign film crews need permits to film in Bangladesh?

Yes. All foreign film and video productions must obtain official filming permission — primarily from the Ministry of Information — through a registered local production company in Bangladesh. Productions that film without written permits risk equipment confiscation, shutdown by local authorities and deportation of crew members.

Do drones need a separate permit in Bangladesh?

Yes. All drone filming in Bangladesh requires separate Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) approval, which takes 3 to 4 weeks after the Ministry of Information filming permit is received. Restricted zones include all airport exclusion areas, military installations, the Rohingya camp perimeters near Cox's Bazar and wildlife sanctuary core zones in the Sundarbans. Flying without CAAB approval results in drone seizure.

By Azizul Hoque Shiplu | Film Production | January 2026

Filming Permits in Bangladesh Explained

A Step-by-Step Legal Guide for Foreign Film, Documentary and Media Crews

Bangladesh is an extraordinary filming destination, but for foreign film crews, documentary teams, journalists, and broadcasters, filming without proper permission can lead to shutdowns, questioning by authorities, or legal action.

This guide clearly explains how filming permits work in Bangladesh, what approvals are required, and how international crews can stay compliant.

Do Foreign Crews Need Filming Permits in Bangladesh?

Yes. Almost all professional filming activities conducted by foreign nationals require prior approval from the relevant Bangladeshi authorities.

Documentary and factual filmmaking
Journalistic and news coverage
TV commercials and branded content
Corporate, NGO, or development projects
Drone and aerial filming

Even filming in public places may require formal permission, depending on location and project type.

Foreign film crew permit approval in Bangladesh

Types of Filming Permits in Bangladesh

Media / Journalist Permit: For news and investigative reporting
Documentary Filming Permit: For non-fiction productions
Commercial Filming Permit: TVCs and branded content
NGO / Development Approval: Donor-funded documentation
Drone Filming Permission: Requires separate CAAB clearance

Documents Required for Filming Permits

Project synopsis or concept note
Filming schedule and locations
Passport copies of foreign crew
Detailed equipment list
Local fixer or production partner details
Letter of assignment (for journalists)

Which Authorities Approve Filming in Bangladesh?

Ministry of Information — primary permit for all foreign productions (10 to 21 working days)
Local administration and police — sensitive public locations
Port, airport and industrial authorities — site-specific access
Forest Department — Sundarbans and protected areas (4 to 6 weeks)
RRRC — Rohingya camp access in Cox's Bazar (2 to 3 weeks)
CAAB — drone filming clearance (3 to 4 weeks)
Tourism and coastal authorities

Managing these approvals requires local expertise and professional authority liaison.

Government authority approvals for filming in Bangladesh

Why Foreign Crews Should Not Handle Permits Alone

Language and documentation barriers
Unclear approval timelines
Multiple overlapping authorities
High risk of delays or rejection
Strict on-location enforcement checks

This is why international teams rely on Film Fixer Services in Bangladesh and Filming Permits and Visa Guidance.

Film fixer handling permits for foreign crews in Bangladesh

Why International Crews Trust Libanza Films

Nationwide filming permit experience across all 64 districts
Direct authority liaison and compliance handling
Support for documentaries, journalists, NGOs and broadcasters
Integrated fixer, logistics and production support

Filming Permits and Visa Guidance — or send a production brief to receive a complete permit timeline and itemised cost estimate within 48 hours.

Filming Permits Service Send a Production Brief

Frequently Asked Questions — Filming Permits in Bangladesh

Yes. All foreign film and video productions must obtain official filming permission — primarily from the Ministry of Information — through a registered local production company. Productions that film without written permits risk equipment confiscation, shutdown by local authorities and deportation of crew members.

The Ministry of Information issues primary filming permission for most foreign productions. Additional permits come from the Forest Department for Sundarbans and protected areas (4 to 6 weeks), the RRRC for Rohingya camp filming in Cox's Bazar (2 to 3 weeks), CAAB for drone operations (3 to 4 weeks), and local police or district administration for sensitive public locations.

A standard Ministry of Information filming permit takes 10 to 21 working days from complete application submission. Forest Department permits for the Sundarbans take 4 to 6 weeks. RRRC permits for Rohingya camp access take 2 to 3 weeks (applied in parallel with the MoI permit). Chittagong Hill Tracts special area permits take 6 to 8 weeks. CAAB drone permits take 3 to 4 weeks after the MoI permit is received.

No. Only registered local production companies can legally apply for filming permits on behalf of foreign crews in Bangladesh. Additionally, media and journalist visa invitation letters — required for the correct visa category — must come from a registered Bangladesh organisation. Individual fixers without company registration cannot issue these letters.

Yes. Libanza Films manages the complete filming permit process for international productions — Ministry of Information clearance, RRRC camp access permits, Forest Department permits for the Sundarbans, CAAB drone approvals, journalist visa invitation letters and all location-specific authority coordination. Libanza Films is a registered Bangladesh production company that has supported international productions from the USA, UK, Belgium, UAE, France and India.

Yes. All drone filming in Bangladesh requires separate Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) approval, which takes 3 to 4 weeks after the Ministry of Information filming permit is received. Restricted zones include airport exclusion areas, military installations, Rohingya camp perimeters near Cox's Bazar and wildlife sanctuary core zones in the Sundarbans. Flying without CAAB approval results in drone seizure. See the complete drone filming permits guide.

About the Author

Azizul Hoque Shiplu

Founder and Film Director of Libanza Films. Azizul has worked in commercial film production and advertising since 2007, beginning his career at Ogilvy and Mather and training at the Zahir Raihan Film Institute. He has personally managed Ministry of Information permit applications, RRRC camp access coordination, Forest Department clearances for the Sundarbans and CAAB drone approvals for international productions from the USA, UK, Belgium, Romania, Malaysia, Ecuador, Singapore, UAE, France and India. The permit timelines and authority structures in this guide reflect direct experience managing the Bangladesh filming permit process, not secondary research.