Filming Permits in Egypt: What Travel Bloggers and YouTubers Need to Know

For travel bloggers and YouTubers planning to shoot a video in Egypt, filming permits may be necessary. This blog will look into some of those key permits, who will need them, and when.

Egypt is a top travel destination. The scenic landscapes, Pyramids of Giza, and the gorgeous bazaars are some of the most attractive sights in Egypt. And these landmarks not only attract casual tourists, but also professionals, such as travel bloggers or YouTubers, to create video content that can capture the beauty

However, filming in these sights will require permits. And for anyone visiting Egypt to film content, this guide will look into the key permits needed.

Why Egypt Requires Filming Permit

Egypt is a land of cultural landmarks and globally recognized heritage sites. Therefore, it becomes the duty of the Egyptian government to protect these sites and ensure that their images are depicted appropriately in media capturing them.

This duty has made way for filming permits. With these filming permits, the Egyptian government ensures that the sanctity of these sites is protected. These permits act as a way to express the rules, especially what is allowed and what isn’t.

Moreover, they are also exceptional tools for crowd control, as only a limited filming crew is allowed. The permit also manages the limits to the commercial use of the gathered footage and ensures that there are no security breaches to worry about.

Finally, issuing permits for filming in Egypt is in the purview of the Egypt Film Commission (EFC). The EFC will provide all the required shooting permits and script approval for a foreign production in Egypt.

Who Needs a Permit?

The Egyptian government issues a filming permit depending on the purpose of the usage of the clips. And based on your intentions of using the clip that you film, you would require to get a permit issued by the EFC.

Casual Filming Restrictions in Egypt

Firstly, casual filming is allowed without the need for any permit.  However, even then, some restrictions need to be followed.

You cannot take pictures of adults without permission. And you are strictly not allowed to photograph or film children. Finally, you are also not allowed to take photos and videos that harm the country’s reputation.

What is Classified as Commercial Filming in Egypt?

There are a few situations in which filmed or photographed content is referred to as professional filming in Egypt. And it is in these situations that a permit becomes required.

Moreover, when a regular camera or a phone camera’s content crosses into professional usage, it also is considered as commercial filming and permits will be required.

Casual Tourist Filming vs. Professional Content Creation

So, with some basic restrictions in place, casual tourist filming in Egypt is still generally permissible as long as the content is for personal use. Meanwhile, commercial filming, especially for vlogging or YouTube content, would require permits, fees, and equipment restrictions.

Here is a chart representing the specific differences between the two activities:

Factor	Casual Tourist Filming	Professional Content Filming
Equipment Permissions	A mobile camera, or a standard point-and-shoot camera, is permitted.	Authorities will classify professional photo and videography equipment.
Allowed Purpose	Clips for personal usage and capturing memories of a trip are allowed.	A permit from the EFC is required to film in Egypt for commercial purposes.
Accessibility	Regulations have been relaxed for filming in public places, as long as it is for personal use.	Commercial filming requires permits for all spaces. However, specialist locations, such as historical landmarks, can take longer to issue permits, and additional costs may be there.
Fees and Restrictions	No fee required as long as you are not filming clips of police vehicles, government or military buildings, and so on.	Fee can depend on location and type of shoot.

The Types of Filming Permits in Egypt

The types of filming permits in Egypt are classified by location and the nature of the shoot. Depending on the shoot’s scale and the sensitivity of the area, the application for the permit can vary in costs and the time taken for the permit to be published.

Based on that, there are a few types of permits for filming in Egypt. These permits include:

Personal/Non-Commercial Use: Photography and videography for personal use are usually allowed for free in public places in Egypt. No permits are required for it as long as no professional filming or photography equipment is used

Tourist-friendly Permit: This permit will be effective for small crews filming in Egypt. Even travel bloggers, as long as they are traveling with a small crew, can apply for this permit to film their content

B-Roll Filming Permit: There is a permit that can be applied for free, which allows shooting short and supplemental footage at locations like pyramids. However, these permits can take up to 3 weeks to process.

Individual Site Permit: Some sites in Egypt, like the Pyramids in Giza, require a specific permit for filming. However, the cost of this permit can vary depending on the type of project and the hours of filming required.

Commercial/General Film Permit: For commercial or larger projects, a general film permit is required to ensure legal compliance. This permit is sanctioned by multiple security agencies, including the EFC, and is only allowed after a comprehensive review.

Drone Permit: Another permit that is required for filming in Egypt is the permit for filming with drones. Drones are considered a sensitive issue by the Egyptian government. Therefore, it is not covered by the relaxed photography rules and requires a permit.

The Step-by-Step Application Process

Here are the steps to follow to apply for the filming permit in Egypt:

• First, you have to submit the application via Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, or through the State Information Service (SIS).
• While the permits are issued by the EFC, the application needs to pass through one of the two aforementioned institutions
• In the application form, you need to provide the details of your shoot, which would include the purpose, locations, list of equipment, and your crew size.
• The overall time taken for the application to be approved and for your permit to be issued will depend on the type of permit that you have applied for.
• The fee will also depend on the overall filming time and the purpose.

And with your permit being approved, when filming in Egypt, you must carry it with you, along with photocopies, in case submitting it is required to the concerned authorities. Also, carrying your ID (usually your passport) and your Egyptian visa will be imperative for added safety.

Rules to Follow During Filming in Egypt

Now you know that for vlogging or filming a YouTube video in Egypt, you’d need to carry a permit. So, let’s discuss some of the key rules that you need to adhere to for filming in a way that does not feel harmful to the sensibilities of the Egyptians.

Here is a snippet of the must-follow rules:

• Drones are considered sensitive by the Egyptian government, so a specific permit will be required for using a drone for filming
• There are restricted sites where it is highly likely that you will not be allowed to film, making the chances of getting a permit extremely low. These include government buildings and military compounds.
• Depending on the equipment you carry, special permits may be required. Tripods will require a special permit to be used for filming.
• You need to respect the locals and their customs.

There are consequences to filming without permission in Egypt. These consequences can include:

• Fines or confiscation of equipment.
• Legal action in serious cases, even leading to deportation.

A Quick Recap

Looking back at what has been discussed in this guide, filming commercially, be it for a travel vlog or a YouTube shoot, you’d require special permits in Egypt. These permits are issued by the EFC. There are restrictions to follow strictly, as per the Egyptian government, and not following through with that can lead to serious consequences.

Plan to Film a Clip in Egypt? Apply for a Permit Today!

Are you looking to shoot a travel vlog or a YouTube video near the Pyramids of Giza or any other notable location in Egypt? No need to delay. Apply for the permit as soon as possible. The approval is essential for you to be allowed to film in Egypt. So, apply today!

---

Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including Canadian citizens, Brazilian citizens, Bulgarian citizens and German citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.