Many countries that do not require a visa for a consistent tourist or business trips DO need a visa if you intend to film or perform. In most countries, special groups of visas are issued because of purposes, sometimes called Entertainment or Journalist visas. Though some small productions happen to be able to sneak inside of the radar as tourists to shoot their projects, the fines and penalties if caught might be severe. In case you are traveling using a carnet of professional camera and audio gear, you will see greater scrutiny on arrival, rather than keeping the appropriate visa may be costly. Penalties may include fines, detention, and deportation, and can prevent someone from the ability to visit or work in the country again.

 

Document requirements and lead times vary greatly from place to place in relation to film permissions. Some countries, including nearly all of Europe, require US citizens to have only local film permits when the project is on location fewer than three months. Other countries, like India, may extend to 6 weeks to process a show permit application, which must be approved until the crew's visas is usually obtained. Australia, and in most cases New Zealand, requires "Letters of Non-Objection" from the area unions before the suitable visas can be issued.

 

Some countries want the filming application to derive from a production company this is a registered into their country. Further, they might have to have invitation letters from a firm in their country in order to issue the visas. In these countries, it is a great idea to line inside the facilitator, or "fixer", early inside the pre-production process, so they can help with these steps.

 

Keep in mind the nationalities on the crew traveling to the production. Green Card holders can put at consulates located in the US, but those holding temporary US visas or living away from the US might have to apply for their visas inside their home country. Moreover, visa regulations that sign up for US citizens may vary for crew holding non-US passports. In most cases, it may be easier for him or her to getting a visa. Sometimes, there could be more visa requirements, and the process may much more, or not be possible at all. One example is: A French national planning to China must appear within the consulate face-to-face to be fingerprinted, while an Israeli crew member cannot receive a visa to penetrate Indonesia, Malaysia, and a number of other countries at all.

 

To be certain an easy visa process for International productions:

 

1. Determine if you'd like film permission with the Government (or unions) in advance of obtaining visas. 2. If you undertake, apply for the permission the minute possible. 3. Once approved, submit an application for the appropriate visas, paying attention to the nationalities of one's crew.

 

While step 1. takes only a little research, steps 2. and 3. can takes weeks. Combined, they're able to take months, with regards to the country. If you plan to film abroad, and they are not already familiar using the visa process on your international location, it may be worthwhile to employ a highly trained visa consultant to assist with film permissions and visas.

 

Terena Cardwell is a New York-based visa agent with Travel Visa Pro,  dedicated the entertainment industry. Her experience includes five-years managing international theatrical tours and live events, where she took shows to theatres and arenas in Australia, Korea, Japan, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, & Austria.