Filming in Taiwan: film offices, road use, drones and work permits

Who this guide is for

Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysian crews planning a shoot in Taiwan.
Producers bringing foreign cast and crew into Taiwan for work.
Taiwanese production companies and student crews checking lead times by location.

Local and foreign productions

BAMID accepts applications from production companies registered in Taiwan. A foreign production company that comes to Taiwan to film applies through the Taiwanese company it works with.
New Taipei's film office accepts applications from registered companies, universities and colleges, and self-media studios. Road closures in New Taipei are open to companies only; individuals and student crews are not accepted for closures.

Which office handles which location

Central-government venues: BAMID BAMID handles requests to film at venues run by central government agencies, and requests that a local government refers up because a central agency is involved. It also covers multiple-entry visas for foreign and mainland Chinese crew coming to Taiwan.

Lead time: BAMID estimates coordination at 7 working days or more and asks applicants to plan ahead.
Contact by project type: film (ext. 1428), TV drama, documentary and TV programmes (ext. 1513), music videos (ext. 1614), all on +886 2 2375 8368.
Separate venues, separate applications: one film filming at venues run by different agencies files a separate request for each.
Cancellations: unless caused by weather or force majeure, notify the venue manager and BAMID 2 working days before the filming day.

City and county public venues: the local film office BAMID publishes a contact list of film assistance offices for 17 local governments, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Keelung, Taoyuan and Kinmen.

Taipei: the Taipei Film Commission is run by the Taipei Culture Foundation under the city's Department of Cultural Affairs. Under Taipei's regulations, productions filming in the city can request location scouting help and single-window filming assistance. Approved film and TV projects can use city-owned venues free of venue charges for up to 7 days, and at half price from day 8 up to three months. Venues run by private operators are excluded from this discount.
New Taipei: apply 7 working days ahead for general locations, and 30 working days ahead for special requests (heritage sites, police or fire equipment, road closures, explosions). There is no application fee, though venues can charge rent, utilities or a deposit.

Roads

New Taipei sets out road use clearly:

Road not closed: apply to the local police precinct 7 working days ahead.
Road closed: apply to the film office 30 working days ahead (companies only).
Special filming (water trucks, fire engines, explosions, car chases): apply to the film office 30 working days ahead.
Haishan and Banqiao precinct areas: apply to both the film office and the local police, 10 working days ahead.

Road rules differ by city, so check with the film office of the city you are filming in. When applying to BAMID for road filming, include the filming route, traffic management plan and diversion map.

What to prepare (BAMID)

Application form.
Project proposal (company profile, synopsis, team and cast, distribution plan).
Filming plan (script pages, cast and crew on set, equipment, vehicles, planned effects).
Set layout diagram, with any special effects marked.
Filming route, traffic management plan and diversion map (for road filming).
Location risk assessment checklist; high-risk shoots add a safety plan self-check form.
The applicant's company registration documents.

New Taipei also requires applicants to buy their own insurance, and asks for location photos and behind-the-scenes photos within one month of wrapping.

Drones

Registration: drones owned by individuals with a maximum take-off weight of 250 g or more, and all drones owned by companies, schools or government bodies, must be registered, with the registration number marked on the drone.
Operator certificate: people flying drones owned by companies, schools or government bodies need a CAA operator certificate, whatever the weight.
Standard limits: below 400 ft above ground or water, in daylight only, within visual line of sight, not over crowds or outdoor gatherings, one drone per operator.
No-fly areas: prohibited and restricted areas, and set distances around airports, are off limits unless the CAA approves a company or government request. Cities and counties publish their own drone areas and times below 400 ft.
Foreign operators holding drone registration, operator and inspection documents from their own government can apply to the CAA for recognition.
Where: the CAA drone management system (drone.caa.gov.tw).

Prop guns and blank ammunition

Film and TV companies importing simulated guns and blank ammunition apply 30 days before the import date. The application goes to the Ministry of Culture, which passes it to the Ministry of the Interior for approval. It includes a filming plan for the guns (scenes, dates, locations, users and safety training), the relevant script pages, an inventory of the guns and a safety plan.

Work permits for foreign cast and crew

Under Taiwan's Employment Service Act, a foreign national cannot work in Taiwan unless the employer has applied for a permit.
Religious, artistic and performing arts work is one of the categories employers can hire foreign nationals for.
The employer applies to the Ministry of Labor for the permit.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign production apply to BAMID directly?

No. BAMID accepts applications from production companies registered in Taiwan; foreign productions apply through their Taiwanese partner company.

How far ahead should we apply?

BAMID estimates 7 working days or more. In New Taipei, general locations need 7 working days and special requests or road closures need 30 working days.

Who approves a street scene without a road closure?

In New Taipei, the local police precinct, 7 working days ahead. Other cities set their own procedures.

Do our foreign crew need work permits?

Yes. Foreign nationals working in Taiwan need a permit, applied for by the employer to the Ministry of Labor.

Is there a fee?

New Taipei charges no application fee, though venues can charge rent, utilities or a deposit. In Taipei, approved projects can use city-owned venues free for up to 7 days.

References

Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (BAMID), Filming assistance application guidelines (Chinese): www.bamid.gov.tw/cp.aspx?n=3505
BAMID, Local government film assistance offices (Chinese): www.bamid.gov.tw/cp.aspx?n=3506
BAMID, Permit for using simulated guns and blank ammunition in film and TV production (Chinese): www.bamid.gov.tw/cp.aspx?n=8200
New Taipei City Film Assistance Center, How to apply (Chinese): www.filmassist.ntpc.gov.tw/apply
Taipei City Regulations on Film and TV Production Assistance, Subsidies and Investment (Chinese): laws.gov.taipei/law/LawSearch/LawPrint/FL055120?type=0
Taipei Film Commission: www.filmcommission.taipei/
Civil Aviation Act, Articles 99-10 to 99-14 (Chinese): law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=K0090001
Civil Aeronautics Administration, drone management system: drone.caa.gov.tw/
Employment Service Act, Articles 43, 46 and 48 (Chinese): law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=N0090001

The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.

This article is general information compiled from official pages accessed on 1 November 2026 and is not legal advice. Check the latest notices from each authority before you apply.

Published 1 November 2026.