Filming permit

According to Regulations for Issuing Administrative License for Certain Economic Activities – Decree-Law No. 47/98/M dated on 26 October, 1998 which is revised by the Law No. 10/2003 dated on 28 July, 2003, when producing or directing any cinematograph film, documentary film or advertisement that is 1) about Macao, or uses Macao as background, or 2) requires scenes to be shot on public streets, and/or employs explosives, special effects or firearms, applicants must apply to the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government for permission to film in Macao at least twenty days in advance of the intended filming date. Permit(s) should also be obtained from relevant public service(s) should the production be involved other public services.

The following types of films can be exempted from the requirement to obtain a permit:

Films directed and produced by public departments or organizations;
Filming of news programs for the purpose of media broadcast.

* If the applications involve government departments not including in the Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application network and sites governed by private sector, applicants should submit the applications to the departments and private sector by him/herself.

Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application

To simplify the application procedure, in which applicants may need to apply to multiple public services during the filming, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR Government, in cooperation with 10 public services, now provides a ‘Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application’. Public services included in the ‘Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application’ network are: Macao Government Tourism Office, the Sports Bureau, the Customs Service, the Fire Services Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Judiciary Police, the Transport Bureau, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Marine and Water Bureau , the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Municipal Affairs Bureau. The Cultural Affairs Bureau shall serve as the public service receiving applications and providing inquiry service, while the eleven participating public services in the network shall serve as the public services replying to the applications.

Filming Permit Application Platform

“My Government Account of Macao SAR” user account system
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Access to this system is only applicable for Macao residents and entity accounts registered in the Macao One Account.

To simplify the application procedure, in which applicants may need to apply to multiple public services during the Filming Permit Application, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), in co-operation with the public services involved in the “Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application”, has launched the “Filming Permit Application Platform” for the applicants/applicant entities. The public services involved are the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Sports Bureau, the Customs Service, the Fire Services Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Judiciary Police, the Transport Bureau, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Marine and Water Bureau, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Municipal Affairs Bureau. The IC serves as the coordinating and advisory body, while the eleven public services involved in the “Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application” are responsible for replying to the applications.

Eligibility for Application

The applicant/applicant entity must log in with a valid “My Government Account of Macao SAR” to apply.

Some application projects are subject to relevant provisions, so users logging in as individuals are not eligible to apply.

Verification of Information and Submission of Supplementary Documents

The applicant/applicant entity must verify that the information submitted is accurate.
If the documents submitted are incomplete or do not comply with the provisions, the IC and the relevant authorised entities may request the applicant/applicant entity to submit the necessary supplementary information and supporting documents.
Applications will be processed from the day following receipt of all the required documents.

Application Guidelines

Applications will be processed according to the relevant provisions of Decree-Law No. 47/98/M dated on 26 October. Applicants who plan to commence or carry out the designated project must apply by submitting the Advance Notice to the authorised entities at least 20 consecutive days in advance of the intended filming date.
For applications for producing and directing fictional films, documentary films and advertisements in Macao, the IC will notify the applicant/applicant entity of the application result through the Platform within 18 working days upon receipt of all the required documents.
The application approval procedure starts from the date when the application form is completed.
Other application projects on the Platform will be processed and responded to in accordance with the relevant provisions of the authorised entities.
To protect the public’s right to enjoy the cultural facilities under the IC and to safeguard the quality of visits, if the Filming Permit Application involves venues or facilities under the IC, the IC will assess the application project and may decide to adjust the time slot and venues concerned given in the application. The processing result shall prevail.
The applicant entity must find out whether all shooting activities related to the application project comply with the laws and regulations of Macao.
If the filming project may affect social order or public safety, the IC and other relevant authorised entities have the right to refuse or immediately terminate the shooting activities.

Application for Cancellation or Changes of Project

Applicants who want to cancel an approved application project must notify the IC via email or phone at least three working days before the date of execution of the project, and state the reasons for the cancellation. These will serve as a reference for the IC in assessing the same application in the future.
Applicants who want to make changes to an approved application project must apply and submit the new activity information on the Filming Permit Application Platform in advance. They may only proceed in accordance with the given suggestions and provisions after receiving a reply from the relevant authorised entities regarding the application.
If the form or content of the shooting activity does not match the description of the application or deviates from the content approved by the relevant authorised entities regarding the application, the authorised entities have the right to immediately terminate the shooting activity and will use this as a reference in assessing the applicant/applicant entity in the future.

Reservation of Rights

The IC reserves the right to make adjustments, modifications and final interpretations regarding this system and the Coordination Service for Filming Permit Application.
Public services and authorised entities involved in the Coordination Service have the right to send personnel to monitor and record the shooting status on an irregular basis.

Personal Data Collection Statement

According to Law No. 8/2005 (Personal Data Protection Act), the personal data and documents provided for this application will be used for application processing, service statistics, research, or registration purposes. They will be stored in the IC’s system and will be used for processing applications for various services provided by the IC.

For the purpose of reviewing the applications, the relevant information may be transferred to the relevant authorised entities. In order to fulfil legal obligations, the relevant information may also be transferred to other authorised entities. The applicant entity has the right to apply for the above-mentioned information to be inspected, corrected, or updated in accordance with the law.

When handling personal data, IC staff will take measures to maintain the confidentiality and security of such data until it has been used and the retention period has expired, at which time the data will be destroyed or sealed in accordance with the current legal provisions.

Any discrepancy arises between the english translation and the original chinese version , the chinese version shall prevail.