Film Production Services in Jordan

Jordan is one of the world’s most cinematic and production-ready filming destinations, a compact, stable and welcoming kingdom that packs the rose-red ancient city of Petra, the towering sandstone valleys of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Roman ruins, desert castles and the modern capital of Amman into short, easy distances. Long a favourite of international filmmakers, from Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones to Dune, The Martian, Star Wars and John Wick, the country offers extraordinary, otherworldly landscapes, a mature and supportive film industry, the region’s most established film commission and, now, one of the most generous cash rebates anywhere.

For international crews, Jordan offers a rare blend of unrepeatable locations, exceptional safety and stability, a professional English-speaking crew base, world-class facilities and a tiered cash rebate of up to 45%. It is one of the few places where a production can shoot Mars-like deserts, ancient wonders, the Dead Sea and a modern city within a single efficient schedule, supported by the Royal Film Commission and experienced local fixers who make the kingdom remarkably straightforward to work in.

Hoodlum provides Film Production Services in Jordan for commercials, documentaries, factual and reality television, branded content, music videos, fashion and lifestyle campaigns, feature films and television productions. Our team supports visa guidance, Royal Film Commission permits, location agreements, drone coordination, customs and temporary-import clearance, local crew sourcing, transport, accommodation, security planning, rebate support and full on-ground production management. You can see the full scope of what we do and the people behind it on our who we are page.

Jordan rewards productions that arrive with their paperwork in order. It is a film-friendly, efficient and exceptionally safe kingdom with a long production heritage, but it is not a destination for informal shooting without approvals, and permits, customs and drones all run through specific authorities. The right entry route, the right permits, the right customs plan and the right rebate registration all need to be settled before the cameras roll, and the most efficient way to handle that is through an experienced local production partner.

Why Jordan Works for Epic Landscapes, Safety and Rebates

The kingdom’s biggest production strength is the combination of genuinely world-class, instantly cinematic locations, exceptional stability and a market-leading cash rebate, all within a compact and efficient footprint. In a single schedule a production can capture Mars-like desert, ancient wonders, the Dead Sea and a modern capital, with short travel times between them, supported by professional crews, new soundstages and a film commission built to make filming easy. The result is a place where the most ambitious shoots come together efficiently and safely.

Amman is the operational hub, but the value sits in the landscapes and the incentive. A feature might use Wadi Rum to double for another planet, as Dune and The Martian famously did. A commercial might pair Petra with the desert and the Dead Sea. A series might combine Roman ruins, deserts and city. The kingdom is strong because it offers blockbuster-proven locations, total safety, a deep support ecosystem and a rebate of up to 45%, in one welcoming and well-run package.

The kingdom is especially well suited to:

Feature films and television drama
Commercials and branded content
Science-fiction and epic landscape productions
Documentary and factual television
Reality and adventure programming
Music videos and fashion campaigns
History, heritage and archaeology stories
Productions seeking a high cash rebate

Hoodlum’s production support team helps crews decide which locations are practical, what permissions each one needs and how to sequence an efficient schedule across the kingdom.

Wadi Rum and the Desert

Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon, is the kingdom’s signature filming location and one of the most spectacular deserts on earth, a vast, protected landscape of towering sandstone mountains, red sand, natural arches and canyons that has doubled for Mars and distant planets in countless major productions. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnet for international filmmakers.

This region is unmatched for science-fiction, epic, adventure, automotive and landscape work, and it has become one of the most recognisable shooting locations in world cinema. Wadi Rum filming calls for planning around heat, remote desert logistics, 4×4 access, sand protection for equipment, protected-area permissions and coordination with the local Bedouin community, who are central to operating there. Hoodlum builds the permissions, desert transport, local Bedouin coordination, heat management and equipment protection into the schedule before a shoot reaches Wadi Rum.

Petra, the Dead Sea and Ancient Wonders

Petra, the rose-red city carved into rock more than two thousand years ago, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and among the most breathtaking heritage sites on the planet, while the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, offers surreal mineral shores, and sites like Jerash present some of the best-preserved Roman ruins anywhere.

These locations suit history, heritage, travel and documentary work, along with commercials and features needing ancient or monumental backdrops. Filming at Petra, Jerash and other heritage sites requires authorisation from the antiquities and tourism authorities, careful conservation-minded coordination and timing to manage visitors, while the Dead Sea involves its own access and resort permissions. Hoodlum handles the heritage permissions and site coordination so these world-famous backdrops become workable filming days.

Amman, the North and Modern Jordan

Amman, the capital, offers a modern Middle Eastern cityscape of hills, white-stone buildings, markets, the ancient Citadel and Roman Theatre, contemporary districts and the new Olivewood soundstages, making it both a practical base and a versatile urban location. The north adds green hills, the river valley, castles and historic towns.

These locations suit drama, commercials, documentary, urban and studio-based work, and any project needing a modern or historic Middle Eastern city. The capital is where crews arrive, where production companies, crews, equipment, studios and accommodation are concentrated, and where Royal Film Commission permitting and customs coordination begins. Hoodlum uses Amman as the practical hub for Film Production Services in Jordan, particularly when a shoot combines the city with the desert, Petra and the Dead Sea.

Entry, Visas and Crew Documentation

The kingdom is straightforward to enter for many nationalities, with an efficient online visa system, and the process is generally quick, though the right route depends on each crew member’s nationality.

Most visa applications are made online, requiring an active passport and the purpose of the visit, with e-visas generally costing under one hundred dollars and processing typically within one to two working days, though some nationalities take longer. For filming, a permit is required for both commercial and non-commercial work, and crew documentation includes biographical information and CVs, passports, shooting locations, dates, the topic and title, an equipment list, production-company details and, in some cases, a medical certificate. Permit-related procedures can run from around five to thirty days depending on the project, so early coordination matters.

Because filming requires permits and crew documentation, working with a local partner who manages these processes is valuable. Hoodlum helps productions match each crew member to the correct entry route, assemble the documentation, and avoid immigration or permitting becoming a late-stage problem.

Film Permits and Location Permissions

Filming permits are issued by the Royal Film Commission, the region’s most established film body, which acts as a genuine one-stop facilitator and is widely praised for making permitting fast and straightforward. The core permit is typically arranged within about a week, supported by the dates, locations, the number of crew with full identification for each member, and an airport permit arranged through the fixer.

The Royal Film Commission coordinates with the relevant ministries and authorities, and additional permissions apply for heritage sites such as Petra and Jerash, protected areas like Wadi Rum, and any sensitive or restricted locations, each requiring appropriate lead time. The commission’s experience, government backing and streamlined processing are a major reason productions find the kingdom so easy to work in, and a local unit manager typically arranges the permits as part of the production service.

Private locations are arranged directly with owners through a local fixer, who negotiates terms on presentation of the script. A Hoodlum location scout can propose suitable options, after which we negotiate access, dates, crew size, fees and conditions, and secure a location agreement. Private permission does not replace the Royal Film Commission permit or any heritage or protected-area approvals a location also requires, and fees are quoted once the locations are confirmed.

Drone Filming and Aviation Rules

Drone filming is tightly controlled and involves the military, so it requires careful, early planning, with all paperwork submitted around thirty days before arrival for approval through the Royal Film Commission, the media commission, the Ministry of Interior and the air force. This is a strict, security-led process that must never be left late.

In practice, drones are held by the military and stored at their facility on arrival, a security deposit is paid at the airport for each drone, and a military representative escorts the drone during shooting days at a daily rate, with storage and per-shooting-day charges also applying. The drone’s serial number and specifications, the pilot’s passport and CV, the film permit and an accurate schedule are all required in advance. Given this, drone work must be planned from the outset with the local partner. Hoodlum coordinates the full drone approval, military escort and logistics, and builds the thirty-day lead time and costs into the plan.

Equipment Customs Clearance and Temporary Import

Jordan is not an ATA Carnet country, which is a critical planning point, so equipment is brought in through a temporary-import and clearance procedure rather than a carnet, and certain equipment may not be permitted, so the gear list must be confirmed in advance. This makes experienced local support essential.

Clearance involves customs alongside the security authorities, supported by a full equipment list with serial numbers, values and proof of ownership, the arrival date and the expected weight, and typically takes no more than around seven working days. Significantly, productions registered for the incentive benefit from customs-duty exemptions on equipment imported for the production, which eases the process, and the equipment is brought in temporarily and must be accounted for, so an accurate inventory is essential.

Hoodlum prepares the detailed equipment list and temporary-import documentation, coordinates clearance with the customs and security authorities, and times everything so cameras, lighting, grip and sound gear move through with minimal delay.

The Jordan Cash Rebate and Incentives

Jordan’s headline financial draw is the Royal Film Commission’s cash rebate, one of the most generous and competitive in the world, recently enhanced to a tiered scale of 25% to 45% of qualifying in-country spend. The exact percentage is set by a points-based system assessing the project’s size and its incorporation of Jordanian cultural content and value, with productions spending over ten million dollars and featuring strong Jordanian elements eligible for the maximum 45%.

The minimum qualifying spend has been lowered to around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, opening the rebate to features, series, commercials, documentaries, television and music videos, with a cap of around 5.25 million dollars per project and higher caps considered case by case. Crucially, the rebate stacks with automatic tax exemptions, including the 16% sales tax, a 10% withholding tax on non-Jordanian cast and crew, and customs duties on production equipment, which together can lift total savings to as much as around 56% of eligible spend. Applications must be submitted before filming begins through a local production services company, and a Filmed in Jordan credit is required. The exact rates, tiers, caps and rules change, so productions should confirm current figures and apply early. Hoodlum can help productions register, structure qualifying spend, capture the cultural-content points and secure the rebate and exemptions at the highest rate they qualify for.

Safety, Security and Practical Logistics

Jordan is widely regarded as one of the safest and most stable countries in the Middle East, with a welcoming culture, strong government support for film and a reassuring operating environment, which is a major part of its appeal. For most productions, ordinary precautions are sufficient, and the main day-to-day concerns are the same petty issues found in any country, such as opportunistic theft.

Standard practice includes hiring local fixers, securing equipment, using reliable transport and clear unit management, with professional security services available for higher-value or larger shoots and the police able to advise on security where needed. The kingdom’s compact size, good infrastructure and professional crews make logistics, accommodation and movement straightforward, with short distances between the major locations.

The desert climate is the main practical variable. Intense summer heat and sun affect outdoor filming, so productions often schedule around the cooler months and the best light, with heat management and equipment protection planned in, while cultural awareness and respect for local customs are part of working successfully in the kingdom. Hoodlum helps productions plan efficient, culturally aware schedules, and builds heat, timing and contingency thinking into the plan from the start.

When Jordan Is the Right Production Choice

Jordan is the right choice when a production needs epic desert, ancient wonders, the Dead Sea, Roman ruins and a modern city, combined with exceptional safety, a professional crew base, world-class facilities and a market-leading cash rebate of up to 45% with stacked tax exemptions. It is especially strong for features and drama, science-fiction and epic landscape work, commercials, documentary, reality, music videos and any project that wants iconic locations and a generous incentive in one efficient, safe schedule.

It may be less suitable for productions that need lush green or tropical landscapes, carnet-based equipment entry, or the ability to fly drones without military involvement and lead time. The kingdom is highly workable when the entry route, Royal Film Commission permits, drone arrangements, temporary import, rebate registration and location agreements are settled early.

Common Production Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent mistakes include:

Believing Jordan has no incentive, when it offers up to 45% plus tax exemptions
Registering for the rebate too late or missing the cultural-content points
Assuming an ATA Carnet works, when temporary import is the route
Underestimating the thirty-day drone approval and military-escort process
Overlooking that certain equipment may not be permitted
Treating Petra, Jerash and Wadi Rum as ordinary locations
Leaving heritage and protected-area permissions too late
Scheduling demanding desert shoots in peak summer heat

Most of these problems are avoidable by aligning the crew list, visas, Royal Film Commission permits, drone plan, temporary import, rebate registration and location agreements well before the crew travels.

How Hoodlum Supports Productions in Jordan

Hoodlum provides Film Production Services in Jordan for international crews that need experienced local coordination from early planning through to wrap. Our support covers visa and documentation guidance, Royal Film Commission permits, heritage and protected-area approvals, private location agreements, drone approval and military-escort coordination, temporary-import and customs clearance, local crew sourcing, studio and facility coordination, transport, security planning, accommodation, rebate registration and on-ground production management.

From Amman and its Citadel to the deserts of Wadi Rum, the rose-red city of Petra, the Roman ruins of Jerash and the shores of the Dead Sea, we help productions access the most extraordinary filming environments in Jordan with the right permits, fixers, customs planning and logistics in place. Planning a shoot? Contact us to talk through permits, visa support, local fixers, location scouting, customs coordination, drone planning, rebate support and full on-ground production management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do international crews need a visa to film in Jordan?

Most apply online, providing an active passport and the purpose of visit, with e-visas generally under one hundred dollars and processing within one to two working days, though some nationalities take longer. Separately, filming requires a permit for both commercial and non-commercial work, with crew documentation and procedures running from around five to thirty days.

Who issues filming permits?

The Royal Film Commission, the region’s most established film body, issues permits and acts as a one-stop facilitator, typically within about a week. It coordinates with the relevant ministries, with additional permissions for heritage sites like Petra and protected areas like Wadi Rum. A local unit manager usually arranges the permits.

Who regulates drones?

Drone filming is tightly controlled and involves the military, with paperwork submitted around thirty days before arrival through the Royal Film Commission, media commission, Ministry of Interior and air force. Drones are held by the military, a security deposit applies, and a military representative escorts the drone during shooting days.

Is Jordan an ATA Carnet country?

No. Equipment is brought in through a temporary-import procedure handled with customs and the security authorities, with a full equipment list, serial numbers, values and proof of ownership, taking up to around seven working days. Some equipment may not be permitted, and incentive-registered productions receive customs-duty exemptions.

Does Jordan offer a film rebate?

Yes, and it is one of the most generous anywhere. The Royal Film Commission offers a tiered cash rebate of 25% to 45% of qualifying spend via a points system, with a minimum spend of around $250,000 and a cap near $5.25M. It stacks with sales-tax, withholding-tax and customs exemptions, lifting total savings to as much as around 56%. Apply before filming through a local company.

What are the best filming locations?

Standout locations include the desert of Wadi Rum, the rose-red city of Petra, the Dead Sea, the Roman ruins of Jerash, and Amman with its Citadel, Roman Theatre and Olivewood studios.

Useful Authority Links

Ready to bring your production to Jordan? Hoodlum handles the permits, visa guidance, location scouting, customs and temporary-import coordination, drone and military-escort planning, local crew, studio coordination, rebate registration and full on-ground production management, so you can focus on the work in front of the lens. Get in touch with our team to start planning, and tell us your locations, dates and creative brief.

For more information, view our Hoodlum Film Fixers Jordan Google Business Profile.