A practical guide to approvals for public spaces, heritage sites, private venues and aerials—plus timelines, documents, and how our China fixer team secures what you need.
Approvals are handled at the municipal/district level with site owners (e.g., parks, museums) and city film/TV services. Multi‑city shoots require separate filings and more lead time.
Projects typically combine an overall production filing with specific location permissions. Our location & permits team leads submissions and schedules.
| Category | Primary Approver | Typical Lead Time* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public streets & squares city squares, waterfronts, boulevards | Municipal film/TV & district street mgmt | up to several weeks | Crowd control plan, security, traffic coordination |
| Heritage & parks temples, museums, historic lanes, scenic parks | Site owner + cultural/park authority | weeks to months | Sensitive hours, signage, capacity limits |
| Private property malls, offices, hotels, studios | Property owner/management | days to weeks | Insurance letter; access & load‑in plans |
| Aerial (UAV) drone shots in city or scenic zones | Licensed operator + local flight filing | days to weeks | Altitude and geo‑fence compliance |
| Transport hubs & government sites rail stations, airports, embassies, gov. complexes | Multiple authorities | variable | Often high‑scrutiny; alternatives recommended |
*Lead times vary by city, site, season and footprint. We can soft‑book dates while filings are in review.
Synopsis/outline, schedule, shot list, crew list, company docs, insurance and safety notes.
Maps, access/parking, crowd plan, run‑of‑show, SFX/pyro (if any), and neighbor notifications.
Camera/lighting/grip lists, power diagrams and UAV filings with licensed operators.
We maintain bilingual templates for letters of intent, venue agreements and insurance confirmations to speed up reviews.
China accepts ATA Carnet for professional equipment and product samples (generally up to one year). For tight turnarounds, mix local rentals with a carnet core kit.
We source cameras, lighting, grip and support nationwide with bilingual technicians. See equipment rental and coordination.
Plan flights with licensed operators and follow CAAC guidance to stay at or below ~120 m AGL unless specially authorized, with local filings as required.
City riverfronts, stadiums, airports and government zones often add restrictions. We scout vantage points and safe lift‑off/land zones.
1–2 weeks from inquiry: owner consent, access plan, insurance letter, small crew load‑in/out.
2–4+ weeks: district review, street management, crowd plan, police/security, traffic support.
4–8+ weeks: site approvals, limited windows, UAV filings, backups for weather and crowds.
We advise starting earlier for multi‑city routes or marquee sites during peak seasons and holidays.
These pages expand the permit topic into execution: scouting, coordination, drones, and related formats (branded, corporate, documentary).
Simple private venues can be fast once the owner consents. Municipal approvals and heritage/public spaces typically need more advance time. Complex multi‑city shoots require earlier starts.
Projects often need both an overall production filing/approval and specific location permissions. The exact combination varies by city and location owner.
You can rent locally or import temporarily with an ATA Carnet for professional equipment. We advise on the best mix for your dates and budget.
Licensed operators can fly within CAAC rules and local restrictions. Many locations require additional filings for UAVs.
Permissions vary by city and street management. We plan routes, crowd control and small‑footprint setups, and suggest private alternatives when needed.
Send your outline and dates. We’ll map the approvals per city, secure venue letters, file UAV paperwork, and hold backup looks so your schedule sticks.
Last updated: Aug 2025