Filming in Macau: the Cultural Affairs Bureau permit, 20 days ahead, and drone zones

Who this guide is for

• Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysian crews planning a feature, documentary or commercial in Macau.
• Macau production companies filing for a client.
• Producers working out lead times and paperwork before locking a shooting schedule.

When you need an IC filming permit

Under Decree-Law 47/98/M (amended by Law 10/2003), a filming permit from IC is required at least 20 days before filming for features, documentaries and commercials that:

• take Macau as their subject or setting;
• film on public streets; or
• use explosives, special effects or firearms.

Exempt: films made by government public bodies, and filming for news purposes by the media.

One application, 12 departments

IC runs a filming application coordination service. The participating departments are the Macao Government Tourism Office, Sports Bureau, Customs Service, Fire Services Bureau, Public Security Police, Judiciary Police, Transport Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority, Marine and Water Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Municipal Affairs Bureau and Labour Affairs Bureau. IC acts as coordinator and adviser; every participating department reviews and replies to the parts that concern it.

Outside the service: government departments not in this list, and private locations (campuses, shopping centres, hotels and so on), are your own responsibility. Apply to them directly.

How to apply

• Online: the filming permit application platform, logged in with a Macao One Account. The platform is open only to Macau residents and entities registered with Macao One Account, and some items are not available to individual accounts.
• Other channels: email info.af@icm.gov.mo, fax (853) 2892 2965, or in person at the Cultural Affairs Bureau building (Tap Seac Square).
• Deadline: no less than 20 days before filming in Macau.
• Fee: none.
• Processing: through the platform, IC notifies the result within 18 working days of receiving complete documents. Progress enquiries: (853) 8399 6280 or (853) 8399 6256.

Documents

• Completed advance notice form (downloadable from the IC website), or a written document in its place.
• Daily filming schedule.
• One copy of the complete script.
• Equipment list.

If you use a written document instead of the form, it must state: the producer's name or production company; phone, fax or email; the date, time and location of each filming day; the type of film (feature, documentary, commercial or other); any explosives, firearms or special-effects equipment; the equipment, tracks and crew size; and a declaration that the film's credits will state it was shot in Macau. The form or document must be signed and stamped by the producer or the head of the production company.

IC-managed venues

For filming at venues or facilities managed by IC, the bureau assesses the request to protect public access and the visitor experience, and can adjust the filming hours and area it approves.

Changes and cancellations

• Cancelling an approved item: notify IC by email or phone at least 3 working days before the original date, with the reason.
• Changing an approved item: submit a change request on the platform with the new details, and wait for the relevant departments to reply before going ahead.
• If filming differs from what was described or approved, the responsible department can stop it on the spot.

Drones

Macau's Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) runs an online platform for drone registration, activity notices and permit applications.

No-fly zones without AACM written permission (outdoors):

• within 1,000 m of any airport or take-off and landing site;
• aircraft flight paths;
• within 50 m of key sites such as Government Headquarters, the Legislative Assembly, the Court of Final Appeal and other listed buildings;
• above the 22 listed properties of the Historic Centre of Macao, including A-Ma Temple, the Ruins of St. Paul's, the Municipal Affairs Bureau Building, Mount Fortress and Guia Fortress; and
• any restricted areas AACM sets.

Drones of 7 kg or less can fly outside protected zones when the flight is in daylight, within visual line of sight, with the operator on site and no more than 100 m from the drone, not within 100 m of any gathering of 100 or more people, carrying no dangerous goods, and dropping or towing nothing.

Radio licence: AACM's FAQ notes that drones running in FCC remote-control mode exceed Macau's power limits for licence-free radio equipment, so they need a licence from the relevant department.

Checklist before you apply

• Shooting dates locked, counting back 20 days to the application deadline.
• Daily schedule with locations and times for each day.
• Full script and equipment list.
• A Macau resident or entity to file online, or plan to file by email, fax or in person.
• Separate applications ready for private locations and departments outside the coordination service.
• Drone plan checked against the protected zones.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead do we apply for a filming permit in Macau?

At least 20 days before filming. Through the online platform, IC notifies the result within 18 working days of receiving complete documents.

Is there a fee?

No. The IC filming permit has no processing fee.

Can a Hong Kong production company use the online platform?

The platform is open only to Macau residents and entities registered with Macao One Account. Productions without one can apply by email, fax or in person.

Does the IC permit cover private locations?

No. Private locations and departments outside the coordination service need separate applications made by you.

Can we fly a drone over the Historic Centre?

Not without written permission from the Civil Aviation Authority. The airspace above the 22 listed properties is a protected zone.

References

1. Cultural Affairs Bureau, Filming permit application platform (Chinese): www5.icm.gov.mo/filmlicense/apply/
2. Cultural Affairs Bureau, Filming permit (Chinese): www.icm.gov.mo/cn/FilmLicense/
3. Macao SAR Government Portal, PS-1630 Filming permit application procedure (Chinese): www.gov.mo/zh-hant/services/ps-1630/ps-1630a/
4. Civil Aviation Authority, Drone activity online service platform (Chinese): uav.aacm.gov.mo/zh_TW/
5. Civil Aviation Authority, Flying activities application forms (Chinese): www.aacm.gov.mo/zh-hant/industry-page/EServices/ApplicationForms/flying-activities

The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.

Published 1 November 2026.