Filming in Malaysia: PUSPAL, local partners and drone permits for foreign crews

Who this guide is for

• Hong Kong, Taiwan and other overseas production companies planning a shoot in Malaysia.
• Producers bringing foreign directors, camera operators, technical crew or cast into Malaysia.
• Malaysian production companies working as the local partner on a foreign title.

Local and foreign productions take different routes

• Foreign cast or crew, final product screened outside Malaysia: apply through PUSPAL.
• Local production only: PUSPAL's FAQ says permission comes through FINAS (the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia) instead.

Step 1: Appoint a local film production company

Only a Local Film Production Company (LFPC) can be the applicant for foreign filming. PUSPAL defines an LFPC as a local company that holds a film production licence issued by FINAS and has been appointed by the foreign production company to manage the application.

A foreign company cannot apply in its own name, so the choice of local partner comes first.

Step 2: Script review (feature films and drama)

For foreign filming in the Feature (Film/Drama) category, the LFPC first submits a Script Review Application. PUSPAL notifies the result within 14 days from the date it acknowledges receipt of the script. The full application follows once the script is cleared.

Step 3: The PUSPAL application

• Deadline: a complete new application must be submitted no later than 30 days before the start date of the temporary work period.
• Additional applications for the same title and category: no later than 14 working days before the start date.
• Decision: PUSPAL's committee communicates its decision within 14 working days of receiving the application, except for incomplete or problematic applications.
• Fees: PUSPAL charges no fee for its approval. Withholding tax (paid to the Inland Revenue Board, LHDNM) and immigration charges are separate.
• Where: online through the ePUSPAL portal.

Conditions attached to approval

PUSPAL's guidelines (version 6.0) set these conditions for foreign filming:

• Local crew: at least 30% of the filming crew must be local crew registered with a local film association. The PUSPAL committee can set a different ratio at its discretion.
• Equipment: goods brought in and taken out by foreign cast and crew are subject to declaration to and approval from Royal Malaysian Customs.
• Police: if you need police assistance (traffic control, firearms, or police appearing in the story), the LFPC liaises with the Royal Malaysian Police within 30 days before the filming date, giving the address, date, time and type of assistance. Police services carry government service charges, and the LFPC arranges insurance for the officers involved.
• Protected areas: no filming in, or use of images of, prohibited areas under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 without approval from the responsible authority.
• Explosives: filming with explosive materials needs approval from the Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Credit: the film states, at the beginning or end, that it or specific scenes were made in Malaysia, unless PUSPAL directs otherwise.
• Final product: the LFPC submits the finished film to the PUSPAL Unit before its official screening.
• Script: filming must follow the approved script.

Work passes for foreign cast and crew

Foreign artistes and foreign crew (directors, camera operators, technical staff, make-up artists and any other production role) need a Professional Visit Pass (PLIK). The Immigration Department sets these conditions:

• PUSPAL approval comes first; the PLIK application follows.
• Applicants must be outside Malaysia when the application is submitted.
• Foreign cast and crew enter Malaysia only after the PLIK and the Visa with Reference (VDR) are approved.

Drones

Under regulation 140 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016, anyone operating a drone needs prior authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

• Low-risk operations (within visual line of sight, below 400 ft above ground level, no spraying or dispensing) use the Authorisation to Fly (ATF) permit. Send the application to drone.atf@caam.gov.my.
• Lead time: submit the complete application and documents no less than 14 working days before the operation date. Multiple locations or complex areas take longer, and CAAM can reject applications filed with less than 14 working days.
• Documents CAAM lists include the application form, identification of the person in charge and company registration, remote pilot identification and evidence of competency where applicable, SIRIM and MCMC certificates, JUPEM approval, the landowner's permission letter, the drone's manual or specification sheet, and a Google Earth file (kmz or kml) marking the operating area.

Checklist before you apply

• A FINAS-licensed local production company signed on as your LFPC.
• Script ready for review if the project is a feature film or drama.
• Shooting dates locked so the 30-day deadline can be counted from the first day of the work period.
• Crew list split into foreign and local, with the local share at 30% or more.
• Equipment list for customs declaration.
• Police assistance requests (locations, dates, times, type of help).
• Drone plan with locations mapped, filed 14 working days or more before flying.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign production company apply to PUSPAL directly?

No. Only a Local Film Production Company holding a FINAS production licence can be the applicant.

How far ahead do we need to apply?

A complete PUSPAL application is due no later than 30 days before the work period starts. Feature films and drama add a script review stage before that, with a result within 14 days of acknowledgement.

Does our crew need work passes?

Yes. Foreign cast and crew need a Professional Visit Pass, applied for from outside Malaysia after PUSPAL approval.

Is there a fee for PUSPAL approval?

PUSPAL charges nothing for its approval. Withholding tax and immigration charges are paid separately.

Do we need permission to fly a drone?

Yes. Every drone operation needs prior CAAM authorisation; low-risk flights use the ATF permit, filed 14 working days or more ahead.

References

1. PUSPAL, Guidelines on Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes, version 6.0 (English PDF): portalpuspal.komunikasi.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GPP_6.0_FILMING_BI.pdf
2. PUSPAL, additional FAQ: portalpuspal.komunikasi.gov.my/faq-tambahan-daripada-unit-puspal/
3. ePUSPAL application portal: epuspal.komunikasi.gov.my/login
4. Immigration Department of Malaysia, Professional Visit Pass: www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/pass/professional-visitor-pass/
5. Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Safety Information 01/2025, ATF application for UAS operations (PDF): caam.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SI-01_2025-ATF-Application-for-UAS-Operations-Including-Operations-Related-to-Training.pdf

The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.

Published 1 November 2026.