Taiwan

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Taiwan, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Taiwan

Capital

Taipei

Main Cities

Taichung, Tainan

Local Languages

Mandarin Chinese

Currency

New Taiwan Dollar (NTD)

Climate

Sub-Tropical

General Visa Requirements:

To film in Taiwan, foreign productions must partner with a locally registered Taiwanese company that holds a valid business license. This partnership is essential, as the local company acts as the official production partner for all legal and administrative purposes. Productions are also required to have Taiwanese insurance coverage to conduct any filming activities. No work visa or work permit is required for foreign crew members. Upon entry, crew should declare that they are employed by a company based abroad. Nationals of visa-exempt countries may enter Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short-term filming. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and travelers may be asked to present proof of onward travel and accommodation.

Required Documents:

Completed visa application (if applicable)
Recent passport photos taken within the last 6 months
A passport valid for at least 6 months
Signed passport (including prior passport if renewed within 6 months)
Flight details and hotel booking confirmations
Vaccination records and Yellow Fever certificates (if applicable)

Visa Application Process:

Start Visa Application here: https://www.roc-taiwan.org/capetown_en/post/125.html

Processing Time:

Visa applications, when required, generally take 7 to 10 working days to process.

Cost:

The cost depends on the country you are from and is non-refundable.

Accreditation Requirements:

All international film crews must be accredited through a licensed Taiwanese partner company. This local partner manages the full accreditation process, including obtaining the necessary filming permits and ensuring compliance with all Taiwanese regulations. The partner company submits the required crew and project documentation to the relevant authorities on behalf of the foreign production.
In short, the Taiwanese partner company acts as the official liaison, handling all legal filings, insurance requirements, and accreditation to streamline the process for international productions filming in Taiwan.

Required Documents:

Crew members’ resumes/CVs
Passports of all crew members
Filming permits
Details of shooting locations
Dates and duration of filming
The title and topic of the shoot
Detailed equipment list, including serial numbers

Processing Time:

Accreditation is generally processed within 2 - 4 weeks

Cost:

$1000 base fee + $100 per permit

Issuing Organization:

Permits for filming are issued by various governmental agencies depending on the location and nature of the shoot. Additionally, permits must be filed with the local police department where filming will take place.

Required Documents:

Detailed scene descriptions
Location details
Equipment lists, including serial numbers and value
Crew passports and passport photos

Processing Time:

Most permits take 3 to 6 weeks to process. If a permit is refused, extra time may be needed for re-application.

Cost:

$1000 base fee + $100 per location

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

For private locations, negotiations with the property owner are required to secure agreements for filming.

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

Fees for private locations range from $100 to $3,600, depending on the site and terms agreed upon.

Drone Regulations:

A Taiwanese issued drone license is required for drone pilots.
You can import a drone, but as a Taiwan drone operator license is mandatory, it is strongly advised to use a local licensed drone operator.
No Fly Zones, exist in Taiwan: Airports / Military Base / National Parks / and other locations designated by the government, local officials or private property owners

Drone Importation Regulations:

Personal drones may be imported for filming, but commercial use requires local registration.
Compliance with customs declaration is mandatory.

Permit Issuance:

Permits for drone usage are issued by the Taiwan Civil Aviation Administration.

Timing:

Drone permits typically take 3 weeks to process.

Cost:

USD 300–600, depending on the scope of the location and drone type

Carnet Status:

Yes, Taiwan has an ATA Carnet

Required Documents:

Filming permit
Detailed list of equipment, including serial numbers and values

Issuing Organization:

Taiwan customs department (at the airport)

Timing:

Equipment clearance takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

Cost:

Not available.

General Overview:

Taiwan is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, often ranking in the top three globally for safety.

Security Requirements:

For film crews, it’s recommended to have security on hand for crowd control and safeguarding equipment during shoots, especially in busy public areas.

Rebates/Incentives:

Taiwan offers attractive incentives for international productions through cash rebates and co-funding programs administered by BAMID (Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development) and TAICCA (Taiwan Creative Content Agency).

Cash Rebate:

Up to 30% rebate on qualifying local expenses.
Maximum: NT$30 million (≈USD 1 million) for films, NT$20 million for TV dramas.
Covers local crew, production, transport, lodging, and insurance.
Eligible for productions spending at least NT$30 million (films) or NT$60 million (TV) in Taiwan.
Total public funding cannot exceed 50% of local expenses.

Co-Funding (TICP):

Up to 30% of total budget, capped at USD 300,000.
Available for international co-productions with 70% of the budget secured and clear Taiwanese creative or production elements.

Application:

Apply via a Taiwan production partner to BAMID or TAICCA.
Submit project details, budget, and receipts.
Receive funding after expense verification.

Note:

These incentive programs are subject to change throughout the year, and only selected productions are approved. Approval depends on available government funding, project eligibility, and cultural alignment with Taiwan’s film development goals.