Filming in Maldives

Hiring a fixer in the Maldives

Filming in the Maldives is a straightforward process if you hire the right help for your crew. With a fixer in the Maldives, everything related to production becomes easier and more efficient. As with most countries, you will need to figure out visas, film permits, equipment renting, as well as other elements that will enable you to work on your production. Fixer Maldives is here to help you with all of the services regarding media production in our country.

Visa for the Maldives

Entering the Maldives for filming will depend on where you and your crew are coming from in terms of visas. Most citizens arriving in the Maldives will benefit from a 30-day visa on arrival, free of charge. Yet to film here, you will need a film permit and that is obtainable with a business visa only. Filming in the Maldives is allowed only with a permit, so make sure you your business visa requirements before leaving your country of residence.

Film Permits in the Maldives

All filming crews coming to the Maldives for business are required to obtain film permits from the National Centre for the Arts. There is a list of documents you will be required to send beforehand to the authority so that by the time you arrive on the island, your fixer in the Maldives will have your permit at the ready. You cannot film without a permit in public areas or national parks. Filming on private property is only possible with direct consent from its owners.

Special equipment renting info

Filming crews travelling to the Maldives will ship gear to the country for their shoot, yet should something break during filming, or should you need a piece of equipment you don’t have, simply ask your film fixer for help. They will be able to source the right local shops renting gear and equipment for media productions. Regarding drones, you can fly them in the Maldives after you take care of obtaining your permit from the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority.

Cultural facts

While at the chapter about rules to follow in our country, such as obtaining film permits in the Maldives, these are just the technical elements of your time in the archipelago. You and your crew should also get familiar with the cultural facts people live by in the Maldives. For example, in the Maldives people dress traditionally, as they praise their religion and prefer comfortable clothing in the warm climate. Food is also an important part of the culture, and you should always accept food offerings from locals.

Weather when filming
in Maldives

The Maldives are located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, offering a tropical monsoon climate. The warm weather makes it an ideal destination for tourists and filming crews alike, with shooting capabilities stretching over all months of the year. Temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius, and winds are noticeable through the monsoon season. Filming in the Maldives is, therefore, a year-round activity, considering you plan your filming right and avoid rainy days, which occur once every three days.

Tax rebate in the Maldives

While countries around the world usually offer tax rebates to filming crews from overseas, in the case of the Maldives, there is no direct incentive for media productions. While there is no direct law regarding tax rebates in the country, ask your fixer in the Maldives to clarify this aspect with the local government. Based on the type of production you develop, your project might be considered for an incentive by the Tourism Ministry of the Maldives.

Conclusion on filming in the Maldives

Filming in the Maldives is a straightforward process when you figure out the appropriate way to get the help you need. It starts with your fixer in the Maldives ensuring you are preparing your visas based on the country of residence of you and your crew members. It then moves on to film permits and obtaining them before you start shooting, ensuring the legality of production development.

Fixer Maldives also takes care of sourcing the equipment you might need while here, from the local professional gear rental shops in the archipelago. Our team is also able to assist you with locations, advising you on which ones to pick based on your needs, as well as the logistical part of your production.

Get in touch

hello@fixermaldives.com