Filming in the United Arab Emirates
a.k.a. Media has produced and serviced shoots in the UAE since 2011, from our headquarters in Dubai Studio City and our Abu Dhabi office at twofour54, Building 6, E48. This page covers what a visiting producer needs to know.
Rebate
35% to 50%
Abu Dhabi, on films, television and commercials
Permits
5 working days
In Dubai. About two weeks in Abu Dhabi
Main season
October to April
Mild days and clear light
Time zone
UTC+4
Gulf Standard Time, no daylight saving
Why productions come to the UAE
Range within a short drive. Modern city skylines, open desert, mountains and two coastlines sit within a few hours of each other by road.
A 35% to 50% rebate in Abu Dhabi, covering films, television and commercials.
Flight connections. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major international hubs, which keeps travel simple for visiting crew.
Reliable weather. Clear skies for most of the year.
Locations by emirate
Dubai
Downtown and Marina skylines, the old town around Dubai Creek, desert within an hour of the city, and beaches along the Gulf.
Abu Dhabi
The capital's waterfront and islands, and the large dunes of the Empty Quarter around Liwa.
Sharjah
Heritage districts, museums and an east-coast shoreline.
Ras Al Khaimah
The Hajar Mountains, including Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak.
Fujairah
The east coast on the Gulf of Oman, with mountains running down to the sea.
Permits
Filming in the UAE needs a permit from the film commission of the emirate you shoot in: the Dubai Film and TV Commission in Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission in Abu Dhabi. Allow about five working days for a permit in Dubai and about two weeks in Abu Dhabi. We file every application ourselves.
The Abu Dhabi rebate
35% → 50%
The Abu Dhabi Film Commission pays a cash rebate of 35% on qualifying spend. The rate rises in steps to 50% for productions that earn points, for example by featuring Abu Dhabi on screen, doing post-production in the emirate or hiring Emirati talent in key creative roles. It applies to feature films, TV series and programmes and TV commercials, and since 2025 also to reality TV, game shows, short films and animation. The application is made by a production company licensed by Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority. a.k.a. Media is licensed in Abu Dhabi through its twofour54 office and makes the application for you.
When to shoot
October to April is the main season, with mild days and clear light. From June to September daytime temperatures regularly pass 40°C, so summer exteriors are scheduled for early morning and late afternoon.
What we have shot in the UAE
Hostage Zalojnik, 2026
Kinopoisk series. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Chief Daddy 2 2022
Feature on Netflix. Dubai.
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai 2017
Feature on Netflix. Dubai.
The Bachelor 2018
TNT. Dubai.
#oneDXB 2024
Dubai Airports. Dubai.
Union Fortress 10 2024
twofour54. Abu Dhabi.
Commercials in Dubai for Honda, Geely, Panasonic, McDonald's, Kraft and Dubai Tourism.
Questions about filming in the UAE
Is there a film rebate in Dubai?
Dubai has no published cash rebate. The rebate in the UAE is Abu Dhabi's. Many productions base in Dubai and shoot part of their schedule in Abu Dhabi to qualify.
What is the time zone?
Gulf Standard Time, four hours ahead of UTC, with no daylight saving.
Can one company cover more than one emirate?
Yes. We run shoots across the emirates from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and have shot a single series in four of them.