Film Visa
1. A foreign team may be allowed to shoot a feature film, wholly or partially, subject to the following conditions:-
(a) Four copies of the detailed shooting script in case of feature film and detailed concept in case of TV show/ TV serials, details of visiting film crew and location of film shooting shall be submitted by the foreign team to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Copies can either be forwarded directly or through an Indian Embassy / Consulate. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi may levy a fee for examining of the application. The details of the fee will be intimated by the Consulate separately.
(b) The film has to be shot according to the script, as approved by the Government of India. In case any material deviation is considered necessary, prior permission of the Government of India has to be obtained by the foreign team.
(c) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will attach a liaison officer to the foreign team to assist them in the shooting, wherever it is felt necessary to do so by the Script Evaluator. He/ she will stay and travel with the team. The actual expenses on the boarding, lodging and travel of the liaison officer, in connection with the shooting of the film, will be met by the Government of India as admissible under rules.
(d) The shooting of the film must be done in the presence of the liaison officer (where liaison officer has been attached on the recommendation of the Script Evaluator) who will, as part of his/ her duties, ensure that nothing detrimental to the image of India or the Indian people will be shot or included in the film. Should a disagreement arise in this respect, the matter shall be referred to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting whose decision shall be final.
(e) The foreign team must show the complete film to a representative of the Government of India, in India or abroad (i.e. an Indian Mission abroad), before its actual release anywhere in the world. In case the foreign team desires to show the film to an Indian Mission abroad, the name of the Mission must be specified by the foreign team in advance. No portion of the film should be shown in the open forum without prior approval of the Government of India.
(f) Local permission, wherever required, must be obtained by the filming team from the local authorities. The list of equipment to be temporarily imported in connection with the shooting is required to be submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in advance, who will issue recommendations to the Customs authorities to exempt such temporary import from Customs Duty.
(g) If the film is a joint venture (Indo-foreign collaboration), the detailed agreement between the Indian and foreign party shall be furnished to the Government of India for specific clearance.
(h) After the shooting is completed in India, a report giving the details of actual shots taken shall be provided, in duplicate, to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting by the Liaison Officer, in cases where a Liaison Officer has been attached with the filming unit.
(i) An undertaking (in the form given in Appendix II) will be required to be given to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in case any assistance is sought from any Ministry of Government of India or from any State Government/ UT. Separate agreements, as stipulated by these Ministries will, however, have to be signed with them by the foreign team.
2. The maximum number of crew for a specific film being shot by an international production company that can be allowed under this visa regime will be 125, unless the project is of such scale that it necessitates the presence of a larger international crew in India which will be allowed on case to case basis. The Production company requesting for issuance of such visas may be permitted to submit the visa applications in batches depending upon schedules and requirements instead of submission of complete list of crew.
3. The international cast and crew coming to India on a Film Visa for the film shoot shall be employed by the Foreign Company seeking permission to shoot the film in India and the company shall take the responsibility for the cast and crew coming to India for filming. The foreigners coming on Film Visa will have to register himself/ herself with the FRRO/ FRO concerned irrespective of the duration of the Film Visa/ stay of the foreigner in India.
4. The foreigners being given the Film Visa may need to demonstrate that they have adequate means to support themselves in India and may need to demonstrate that they have incentive to return to their place of residence when the said Visa expires.
1. General requirements:
1.1 Passport to be valid for a minimum period of six months.
1.2 Duly filled in and signed application form to be submitted in person or through an agent. Incomplete application will not be accepted.
1.3 The normal processing time for a Visa application is 8 weeks after the submission of requisite documents along with the Visa application form.
2. Documents Required
2.1 Visa Application form (No column to be left unfilled) duly signed along with photograph pasted at the designated space.
2.2. Copy of the Passport.
2.3. Copy of the Chinese ID (for Chinese Nationals)
2.4. Approval of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for shooting the film.
2.5. Additional information to be provided :
(i) Type of production, Feature Film, Reality TV s, Commercial TV serial
(ii) Complete address of shooting location
(iii) Phone/Fax
(iv) Email
2.6. Other documents as specified in the Checklist.
2.7. Bank Guarantee Certificate of minimum amount of RMB 1,00,000 or last 6 months of bank statement showing a minimum balance of RMB 1,00,000
3. Procedure for submitting a VISA application:
3.1. Submission of all relevant documents mentioned in the checklist on the website is important for acceptance of the visa application at the Embassy.
3.2. It is a mandatory requirement to ensure that your photo is 2 inch x 2 inch (51mm x 51mm) in size with white background. Photos which do not meet this specification will not be accepted.
4. Note:
4.1 Foreigners being given Film Visa should refrain from commenting on any issues relating to insurgency (if any) in the areas, participating in missionary activities, meeting banned outfits or its over ground/ underground functionaries.
4.2. The foreigners should strictly adhere to the norms and regulations of foreigner’s guidelines during their stay in the country and visit only the areas permitted for their visit. They should not visit any restricted/ protected area or prohibited place without prior permission of the competent authority.
4.3. Money transaction for shooting of film should be done as per RBI guidelines.
4.4. Notacit agreement should be made by any foreigner (on Film, Journalist/business/employment visa or otherwise) to engage or open Indian company, registered under ROC or NGOs to involve in film/documentary making, not commensurating with national interest.
