Is it easy to produce a location shoot in the UK?
From iconic locations to world-class talent, there are many reasons to bring your production to the UK. And as a popular destination for film and photography produced and financed overseas, the process for gaining entry is straightforward and clear.
Foreign crew such as actors, producers, directors and technicians can visit the UK to take part in location shoots by following a few basic rules.
No work permit is needed for a foreign crew on a location shoot for an overseas-produced and financed film, as long as they’re not being paid by a UK entity. There is a small caveat for studio or post house work taking place in the UK, which Pudu UK can advise you on by email or phone.
There are two main routes for obtaining clearance for your crew, which depends on their passport.
The first is the ETA route, for those who qualify for non-visa entry, and are called non-visa nationals
The second is the visa route, for those who coming into the UK con passports that don’t qualify for the ETA.
Crew members that qualify for the ETA
Crew from countries and territories qualifying for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) won’t require special entry clearances, such as a visa, to come into the UK. Qualifying passports include those from the USA, Australia, Canada, and the EU.
An ETA allows for multiple short stays of up to six months for business. It is linked directly to the crew member’s passport and lasts for two years, or until their passport expires, whichever is sooner.
Crew that do not qualify for ETA clearance
If a member of your crew is from a ‘visa-national’ country, they will need to be granted a visitor visa before travelling to the UK for a shoot.
Visa-national countries include Colombia, China, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.
For more information skip to the visa-route process below.
What is the ETA route process?
A non-visa national crew member will need:
- A passport from a country that qualifies them as a non-visa national
- An ETA
- To be in the UK for a short duration (not more than six months)
- To work on location only and not for a UK production
- To be paid by a non-UK company
- To be able to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without public funds (border officers may ask for evidence such as a hotel booking)
- To be able to meet the cost of their onward or return journey out of the UK (border officers may ask for proof such as a plane ticket or evidence of funds)
When entering the UK for their shoot, Non-visa national crew members members should carry proof of the above, for example:
- Passport and a valid ETA
- Employment by/payment from an overseas company (e.g. contract/payslip)
- Location schedule or call sheets
Application process
To apply for a UK ETA, the fastest way is to use the UK ETA app.
(If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you must use the website rather than the mobile app, and can find the web page here)
- Scan the passport photo page using your phone camera
- Scan the biometric chip (if required)
- Take or scan a photo of your face
- Complete suitability and personal questions
- Pay the £20 fee (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay)
The process typically takes less than 10 minutes and most decisions are received within three working days, though many arrive much sooner.
What are the non-visa national (ETA) countries?
EU Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Note: Legal residents of Ireland are exempt only if entering from the Common Travel Area (CTA).
Non-EU/EEA
Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City.
Americas
North & Central America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Note: St Lucia and Nicaragua now require visas.
Asia
Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan.
Oceania
Australia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu.
Middle East
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Africa
Mauritius and Seychelles
Note: Botswana was removed from the list in late 2025.
What is the Visa (non-ETA) route process?
Visa-nationals must apply for a visa before travelling to the UK, regardless of duration. You can apply up to three months before crew members need to enter the UK, and will usually receive a decision within three weeks
If your production is fully produced and financed overseas, crew may enter as a Standard Visitor instead of using the Creative Worker route, which removes the need for a third-party sponsor, and is for individuals being paid by a UK source. You can begin the Standard Visitor application process here.
Key steps
You should put “business” as the reason for the visit.
After submission, you must book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to have your biometrics and photo taken.
During the online application you will be prompted to upload supporting documents – or take them to your appointment at the VAC. The documents are required to show the application meets specific “Creative Visit” rules, and that the crew member is a “genuine visitor” not being paid by a UK source.
Fee: £115 for a 6-month visa
What are the visa national countries?
Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Americas
Bolivia, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
Asia & Middle East
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.
Europe
Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine.
Oceania
Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu.
Important Recent Changes (2025–2026)
- Jordan: Now requires a visa
- Nicaragua & Saint Lucia: Visa required from March 2026
- Nepal: Added to visa national list (January 2026)
Final note
Once your crew member has obtained their ETA or Standard Visitor Visa for the UK, they are cleared to enter the UK:
- ETA ROUTE: for up to six months total time, across multiple visits spanning two years
- VISA ROUTE: for up to six months, across multiple visits
If you need any assistance or further advice on entry clearance to the UK for your foreign crew, don’t hesitate to contact Pudu and a member of the team will be happy to advise you.