Foreign crews filming in Hong Kong: work visas, equipment at customs and filming applications

1. People: is a work visa needed?

The FAQ of the Film Promotion and Facilitation Section of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency explains that, in general, anyone without the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong needs an entry visa or entry permit to take up employment in Hong Kong. Whether a work visa is needed to film in Hong Kong depends on the nature of the activities in Hong Kong; ask the Immigration Department for details.

The Immigration Department's visit visa page states that, by law, visitors may not take up any employment (paid or unpaid), establish or join any business, or enrol as students in Hong Kong.

So whether a work visa is needed has to be confirmed case by case with the Immigration Department. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section lists these contacts for the Immigration Department:

• 24-hour enquiry hotline: (852) 2824 6111
• Email: enquiry@immd.gov.hk

If a work visa is needed

The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section says a work visa or entry permit generally takes 4 weeks to process, and points to two schemes depending on the applicant:

• Overseas, Taiwan and Macau residents: the General Employment Policy
• Mainland residents: the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

The criteria listed on the Immigration Department's General Employment Policy page include: no security objection and no known record of serious crime; a good education background, normally a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, though good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities or documented relevant experience and achievements are also accepted in special circumstances; a genuine job vacancy; a confirmed offer of employment in a job relevant to the applicant's qualifications or experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local workforce; and pay and benefits broadly in line with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong.

The applicant and the local employer submit the application online and upload documents. The employer's documents include the employment contract or offer letter, the business registration certificate, and proof of the company's background and financial position. Once all documents and the application fee are received, the Immigration Department generally takes four weeks to process the application; approved visas are issued as e-Visas.

What this means for timing: if a work visa is needed, apply at least four weeks before the shoot, plus the time to prepare the documents.

2. Equipment: customs on arrival

The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's FAQ explains that film crews entering Hong Kong do not pay import duty on their equipment. If the crew has obtained a temporary import certificate (暫准進口證) for the equipment, it should contact the Customs officers on duty on arrival and departure to have it endorsed. Contacts for the Customs and Excise Department:

• 24-hour enquiry hotline: (852) 2815 7711
• Email: customsenquiry@customs.gov.hk

3. Filming: locations and special items

The same FAQ explains that location filming in Hong Kong generally needs no filming permit, but permission or approval is needed depending on the location:

• Public places: usually no approval is needed if the place is not wholly occupied; the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification to the Police Public Relations Branch, free of charge.
• Government land or property, and Hong Kong waters: approval from the relevant government department is required, for example for country parks and venues under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• Private or public premises: the owner's prior approval is required, generally taking 7 to 10 working days, and the owner can charge rent or handling fees, a deposit and third-party liability insurance.

Special items each have their own department. For example, pyrotechnic special effects materials need a permit and must be fired by a licensed technician; modified firearms and blank ammunition need an exemption permit from the Commissioner of Police, applied for at least ten working days ahead; and lion and dragon dances or playing musical instruments in public places need a police permit in advance. For the full list of channels, see our article "Filming permits in Hong Kong: which department to start with".

Employing child performers

The FAQ also notes that under the Employment Ordinance a "child" is a person under 15. The Commissioner for Labour can exempt employers from certain provisions of the Employment of Children Regulations for the development of the arts or the training of talent; employers wishing to employ child performers must apply to the Commissioner in writing in advance.

Who can help

The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section's services for crews include location suggestions, help finding locations, liaising on and applying for permits or venue hire, and dealing with problems that come up during filming. Phone: (852) 2594 5758, 5759, 5712, 5800. Its production directory lists contact details for local film and video production companies, where crews from outside Hong Kong can look for a local production partner.

Our filming permit checklist lets you check, item by item, which department to apply to for each location and special item.

Frequently asked questions

Does a foreign crew filming in Hong Kong always need work visas?

It depends on the nature of the activities in Hong Kong. The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section recommends asking the Immigration Department about your case.

How long does a work visa take?

The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section says processing generally takes 4 weeks; the Immigration Department's General Employment Policy page says it generally takes four weeks from receipt of all required documents and the application fee.

Is there tax on bringing equipment in?

The Film Promotion and Facilitation Section says film crews do not pay import duty on equipment; crews holding a temporary import certificate should have it endorsed by the Customs officers on duty on arrival and departure.

Do we need a permit to film on Hong Kong streets?

Generally no filming permit is needed. Public places that are not wholly occupied usually need no approval, but the police encourage crews to submit a location filming notification. Government venues and private premises need applications to the managing department or owner.

References

1. Film Promotion and Facilitation Section, FAQ (Chinese): fpf.ccidahk.gov.hk/tc/resources/faq.php
2. Immigration Department, General Employment Policy (Chinese): www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/services/visas/GEP.html
3. Immigration Department, Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Chinese): www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/services/visas/ASMTP.html
4. Immigration Department, Visit visa / entry permit (Chinese): www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html

The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.

This article is general production reference and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration arrangements are decided by the Immigration Department; for a specific case, contact the Immigration Department directly.

Published 1 November 2026.