Sequoia Studio guide · Production services
Filming in Colombia: permits, crew and costs (2026)
A planning guide for foreign agencies, brands and production companies: which permits a shoot needs, how long they take, what a local partner handles and what moves the budget. Every regulatory figure links to its official source.
Direct answer
What do you need to film in Colombia?
To film in Colombia, a foreign production needs a permit for each public-space location (in Bogotá, the PUFA: five working days, or three if urgent), the right immigration status for each traveling crew member, and an Aerocivil flight authorization for commercial drone work. The CINA and FFC incentives can recover part of eligible spend in Colombia.
What permits do you need to film in Colombia?
Permits follow the place and the activity. According to the Colombia Film Commission, filming in public space is authorized by each city or municipality. Private locations are agreed with whoever owns or manages them, commercial drone flights need an authorization from Aerocivil, the civil aviation authority, and when a foreign company sponsors a film, a Ministry of Culture filming authorization comes before the crew’s visas.
| What you film | Permit or authorization | Who issues it | Official lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public space in Bogotá | PUFA (Unified Permit for Audiovisual Filming), filed only on the SUMA+ platform | Bogotá Film Commission (Idartes) | 5 working days (ordinary) or 3 working days (urgent) |
| Public space in Medellín | Request through the mayor’s Ventanilla Única para Eventos, using its PUFA option | Medellín mayor’s office, per the Colombia Film Commission | At least 7 calendar days ahead |
| Public space in other municipalities | Municipal filming or public-space permit | Each mayor’s office | Set by each municipality; confirm before scheduling |
| Private locations: homes, hotels, estates, offices | Contract or written authorization | The owner or property manager | Agreed with the owner |
| Building façades or monuments as a subject | Image-use permission; the PUFA does not include it | Private managers; for district monuments in Bogotá, the Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural | Confirm for each site |
| Commercial drone shots | UAS flight authorization, plus air traffic coordination near aerodromes | Aerocivil | Per request; see the drone section below |
| A film sponsored by a foreign company | Filming authorization (a free resolution), required for the crew’s type V visa | Ministry of Culture, per the Colombia Film Commission | Confirm with the Ministry |
These are official processing times. Documents, insurance policies and location agreements come first, so build the whole sequence into prep before booking flights.
How does the PUFA filming permit work in Bogotá?
Filming in Bogotá’s public space requires the PUFA (Permiso Unificado para Filmaciones Audiovisuales), managed by the Bogotá Film Commission, a program of the District Institute of the Arts (Idartes). According to the commission’s PUFA page, it is filed only through the filming module of the SUMA+ platform, and the fee follows a standard formula for the economic use of public space.
| Condition | Ordinary permit | Urgent permit |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 5 working days | 3 working days |
| Crew size | No limit | Up to 90 people |
| Road, bike-lane and ciclovía closures | Allowed | Not allowed; partial (permanent or intermittent) use of local roads can be requested |
| Duration and area | Set in the request | Up to 2 continuous days and 400 m² |
| Contingency date | One date within the 7 working days after the registered shoot date; it cannot be rescheduled | Described only for the ordinary permit |
| Fee | Standard formula for the economic use of public space | 25% added to the permit’s total value |
| Insurance | A compliance policy and a third-party civil liability policy, approved by Idartes’ legal office and not included in the fee | The same two policies |
The PUFA covers public space only. It does not include the image of building façades or monuments: that permission comes from private managers or, for district monuments, from the Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC). Inside a hotel, estate or residential complex, the property’s administration also has to approve the shoot.
What visa does a foreign film crew need in Colombia?
Foreign crew need an immigration status that matches the activity. The Colombia Film Commission describes two routes; which one applies depends on who sponsors the project and how long each person stays.
| Route | When it applies | Who requests it | Lead time and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| POA (Permiso para Otras Actividades) | Stays of up to 90 days; not renewable, and no more than 180 days a year | Only Colombian companies | At least 10 business days before entry; COP 151,884 per person in 2026 |
| Type V courtesy visitor visa | Only when the company or institution sponsoring the project is foreign | Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after a Ministry of Culture filming authorization (films) or a Foreign Audiovisual Work Certification from the Colombia Film Commission (other formats) | Confirm with each authority before buying flights |
Equipment that travels with the crew has its own procedure. According to the commission’s customs page, professional equipment can enter temporarily without duties, recorded against the traveler’s passport, but drones cannot be brought into Colombia on commercial flights: they have to be imported in advance through a customs broker. Compare that cost and lead time with renting an equivalent drone locally.
Confirm each person’s case with the competent authority before buying flights. A permit that arrives late moves shoot dates, location bookings and crew contracts.
Can you fly a drone for a film shoot in Colombia?
Yes, with an authorization. Drones are governed by RAC 100, Aerocivil’s regulation for unmanned aircraft. According to Aerocivil, any commercial or professional flight belongs to the specific category: the drone must be registered whatever its weight, the pilot needs a certificate of competency (certificado de idoneidad) and the operator (explotador) must be certified. The open category is for non-commercial flying only.
| Rule | What Aerocivil states |
|---|---|
| Category | Commercial or professional operations fall in the specific category; the open category is non-commercial |
| Registration | Mandatory in the specific category regardless of weight (from 200 g in the open category) |
| People | A certified pilot (certificado de idoneidad) and a certified operator (explotador) |
| Flight authorization | Requested from Aerocivil before the operation, for the approved dates, areas and heights |
| Aerodromes | No open-category flights within 9 km of an aerodrome reference point, except between 6 and 9 km under specific height limits |
| Other restricted areas | 3 km from heliports; 2 km from military or police bases, prisons and critical infrastructure; 2 km around the President of the Republic |
| Line of sight | Flights must stay within visual line of sight |
| No-fly map | Visor Geográfico UAS, checked for each location and date |
| Penalties | From 4 to more than 50 monthly minimum wages (SMLMV), per Aerocivil’s May 2026 campaign |
RAC 100 (Amendment 2, December 2024) adds rules that matter in cities: no flying within 30 meters horizontally of people not involved in the operation or of buildings, a ceiling of 400 feet (122 m) above ground, and visible lights plus an observer at night. Near an airport, a commercial flight also needs prior coordination with the air traffic services unit; according to circular MAUT-5.0-22-012, when that coordination calls for a NOTAM, the flight cannot happen before the NOTAM is published or before five business days from the coordination. We last read those two documents on 27 September 2026.
Our drone filming page explains how we assess a location before promising an aerial shot, and what we propose when an area does not allow flying.
Do you need a fixer or a production services company?
A fixer solves local problems for a visiting team: research, contacts, access to locations, translation, transport and cultural or safety context. It is common in documentary, journalism and small crews that bring their own camera. A production services company also takes on the production in Colombia: budget, crew and equipment hiring, insurance, permits, local payments and invoicing. Commercials, series and projects seeking an incentive usually need a Colombian company that contracts and answers for the work.
| Task | Fixer | Production services company | Who decides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, contacts, translation and location access | Yes | Yes | You and the location owners |
| Local budget, crew and equipment hiring, local payments and invoicing | Not usually | Yes | You approve the budget |
| Public-space permits (PUFA or municipal) and the insurance they require | May help coordinate | Prepares and files the request | The city’s film commission or mayor’s office |
| POA immigration permit for crew | No: only Colombian companies can request it | Can request it as the Colombian company | The competent immigration authority |
| Drone shots | No | Coordinates the shot with a certified pilot and operator, who request the authorization | Aerocivil |
| CINA or FFC incentive | No | Organizes contracting and invoicing so spend can be certified; for the CINA, a Colombian company registered in SIREC is mandatory and can act under a power of attorney (incentives handbook) | The Colombia Film Promotion Committee (CPFC) approves projects |
| Equipment entering Colombia | May advise | Coordinates with a customs broker or sources equivalent equipment locally | Customs authorities |
Sequoia Studio is a production company in Bogotá. We coordinate local planning, crew, locations and permit requests and connect you with the official channels, but we do not administer incentives or issue permits: eligibility and approvals are decided only by the official bodies.
How is a local film crew put together in Colombia?
Crew size follows the number of simultaneous tasks, the complexity of the image and the risk of the day, not a fixed package. Depending on the project, a local crew can include production, assistant direction, camera, lighting, grip, sound, art, wardrobe, makeup, data management and transport, or a smaller documentary unit.
Start by listing which roles travel and which are hired in Colombia. Role names and responsibilities vary between countries, so write them down. If the director of photography travels but the first camera assistant is local, both should agree on format, lenses, color profile, frame rate and data workflow before the shoot. If the visiting producer approves expenses, the local producer needs to know up to what amount they can decide alone.
Agree on the working language, the time zone for reports (Bogotá, UTC−5), approvers and folder structure. The day ends when media is copied, verified and backed up according to the plan, not when the camera stops. At wrap, define what is handed over in Colombia: drives, camera and sound reports, daily reports and the expense support for settling the budget.
How much does it cost to film in Colombia?
There is no official day rate, and a total only means something next to its scope. Ask for the budget in the agreed currency, with taxes identified, and with fees, shooting days, overtime, equipment, transport, accommodation, catering, locations, permits, insurance, bank charges and contingency on separate lines.
Some lines are only confirmed after scouting or casting: the fee for a private location, the insurance a municipality requires, the real number of vehicles. A good budget marks them as estimates and says what they depend on. Check how overtime and travel days for the local crew are charged, and whether night, Sunday or holiday work carries a surcharge; on long shoots those lines move the total.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly minimum wage (SMLMV), the unit for incentive minimums | COP 1,750,905, set provisionally by Decree 0159 of 2026 while the Council of State rules | Presidency of Colombia |
| PUFA fee in Bogotá | Standard formula for the economic use of public space; the urgent permit adds 25% | Bogotá Film Commission |
| POA permit for foreign crew | COP 151,884 per person in 2026 | Colombia Film Commission |
| CINA | Tax certificate worth 35% of eligible spend, transferable to Colombian income taxpayers | Colombia Film Commission |
| CINA minimum spend | 400 SMLMV for advertising (COP 700,362,000); 1,800 SMLMV for a feature film (COP 3,151,629,000) | Colombia Film Commission, CINA page in Spanish |
| FFC cash rebate | 40% of audiovisual services and 20% of logistical services | Colombia Film Commission |
| FFC minimum spend and cap | 1,800 SMLMV minimum; COP 3,340,196,500 maximum per project in 2026 | Colombia Film Commission |
| Penalties for breaking drone rules | From 4 to more than 50 SMLMV | Aerocivil |
Value-added tax depends on the contract. According to the Colombia Film Commission, the Tax Statute treats services provided in Colombia and used exclusively abroad, by companies or people without business or activities in Colombia, as exempt with the right to a bimonthly refund. Whether that applies depends on each contract and on formal requirements, so validate it with an accountant before invoicing.
For market prices, our dated study Video production prices in Colombia 2026 lists the public rates Colombian providers publish, each with its source.
Which incentives can a foreign production use in Colombia?
Law 1556 of 2012 created two incentives to bring productions to Colombia. Both are governed by the Colombia Film Promotion Committee (CPFC), which approves projects and allocates resources, and in both the services must be carried out in Colombia and contracted from Colombian individuals or companies residing in the country.
| Feature | CINA (tax certificate) | FFC (cash rebate) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A transferable certificate worth 35% of eligible spend on audiovisual and logistical services | 40% of spend on audiovisual services and 20% on logistical services, paid in cash |
| Who can apply | Foreign projects whose producers are not Colombian income-tax filers | Colombian production companies and foreign productions not subject to Colombian income tax |
| Formats | Feature films, series, short web or animated series, music videos, video games, advertising and animation | Feature films, series, short web or animated series, music video packages and animation; post-production only for projects that already received the FFC for production |
| Advertising | Eligible, with a minimum spend of 400 SMLMV | Not listed |
| Minimum spend | Set by format: 1,800 SMLMV for a feature film, 400 SMLMV for advertising | 1,800 SMLMV, with a cap of COP 3,340,196,500 per project in 2026 |
| Timing | Open all year; apply at least one month before the monthly committee; review and corrections take 4 to 8 weeks; spend within 24 months (48 for animation) | Applications are reviewed while the year’s resources last |
| Resources left in 2026 | COP 134,651,497,574 of COP 350,000,000,000 (updated 7 October 2026) | COP 2,135,109,032 of COP 7,393,688,370 (updated 9 September 2026) |
| Local company | Working with a Colombian production or film services company registered in SIREC is mandatory | Services contracted in Colombia from Colombian residents |
Sources: CINA, FFC and Law 1556 pages of the Colombia Film Commission. If a project aims for an incentive, plan it from the budget: local contracting and supporting documents change how expenses are invoiced. Eligibility and tax decisions belong to specialized advisers and to the bodies that evaluate the application.
How far ahead should you plan a shoot in Colombia?
Work backwards from the shoot date. The lead times below are the minimums each official body states; documents, insurance, scouting and casting come before any filing.
| Step | Official lead time | Stated by |
|---|---|---|
| PUFA ordinary permit, Bogotá | 5 working days | Bogotá Film Commission |
| PUFA urgent permit, Bogotá | 3 working days, with 25% added to the fee | Bogotá Film Commission |
| Public-space permit, Medellín | At least 7 calendar days | Colombia Film Commission |
| POA permit for foreign crew | At least 10 business days before entry | Colombia Film Commission |
| Drone flight near an aerodrome that needs a NOTAM | Not before the NOTAM is published, nor before 5 business days from the coordination (read 27 September 2026) | Aerocivil circular |
| CINA application | At least one month before the monthly committee; review takes 4 to 8 weeks | Colombia Film Commission |
| CINA spending window | Up to 24 months (48 for animation) | Colombia Film Commission |
A practical order: decide whether the project seeks an incentive, list traveling and local roles, scout, then file permits and immigration requests with the margins above. A drone that would travel with the crew needs the most lead time, because it cannot come on a commercial flight.
What should you send a Colombian production partner?
A useful first message lets a local team flag permits, lead times and risks before quoting. Include:
- The treatment or current concept, with references and what each one is for: light, performance or location.
- Tentative dates, cities and number of shooting days.
- Deliverables, technical standards and intended usage: media, territories and term.
- Roles that travel and roles you expect to hire in Colombia.
- Who approves creative, budget and logistics, and in which time zone.
- Whether you plan drone shots, road closures or performers, and whether you will apply for the CINA or the FFC.
- A working budget range, if there is one, and confidentiality terms if the creative is unreleased.
What changes with distances, altitude and weather?
Colombia puts páramo, jungle, coast and city close together on the map but far apart in road time. A drive from Bogotá to a warm-climate location can take most of a shooting day. Plan with real travel times, altitude, rainy seasons, daylight hours and phone coverage.
Scouting should also check safety, access for equipment vehicles, available power, toilets and catering for the crew. A spectacular location with no access for the generator may force a change in the technical plan.
From guide to production
Planning a shoot in Colombia? Start with the brief.
Send the treatment, tentative dates, cities and deliverables. We reply in English with the local assumptions, permits and lead times that apply to your project, and what we would need to quote it.
Production services in ColombiaBefore you lock dates: a checklist
- Fixer or production services company decided
- Traveling roles and local roles listed
- Budget with taxes, estimates and contingency
- CINA or FFC eligibility reviewed before the shoot
- PUFA or municipal permits in the schedule
- Insurance policies the permit requires
- POA or type V visa checked for each person
- Drone plan: local rental or advance import
- Scouting with real travel times
- Data workflow and daily reports agreed
Filming in Colombia: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to film in Colombia?
For public space, yes: each city or municipality issues its own permit, such as the PUFA in Bogotá, filed on the SUMA+ platform. Private locations need an agreement with the owner, and commercial drone flights need an authorization from Aerocivil. A film sponsored by a foreign company also needs a filming authorization from the Ministry of Culture.
How long does a filming permit take in Bogotá?
According to the Bogotá Film Commission, the ordinary PUFA takes 5 working days and allows road closures. The urgent PUFA takes 3 working days, allows up to 90 people and no road closures, and costs 25% more. Both require a compliance policy and a third-party civil liability policy.
What visa does a foreign film crew need?
For stays of up to 90 days, a Colombian company can request the POA permit at least 10 business days before entry. When the sponsoring company is foreign, the route is the type V courtesy visitor visa, which first requires a Ministry of Culture filming authorization (films) or a Foreign Audiovisual Work Certification from the Colombia Film Commission (other formats).
Can a commercial qualify for a Colombian incentive?
Yes, through the CINA: advertising is an eligible format with a minimum spend in Colombia of 400 SMLMV, which the Colombia Film Commission equates to COP 700,362,000. Advertising is not listed for the FFC cash rebate. Confirm current values with the Colombia Film Commission before budgeting.
Do I need a Colombian company to apply for the CINA?
Yes. The Colombia Film Commission’s March 2026 incentives handbook states that working with a Colombian production or film services company registered in SIREC, the film registry, is mandatory. That company can manage the procedure under a power of attorney for the foreign producer, who remains the applicant.
Can I bring my own drone to film in Colombia?
Not on a commercial flight. According to the Colombia Film Commission, drones have to be imported in advance through a customs broker. Flying it for a commercial shoot also requires the specific-category rules of RAC 100: registration, a certified pilot and operator, and an Aerocivil flight authorization. Compare that with renting locally.
What is the difference between a fixer and a production services company?
A fixer handles contacts, translation, access and logistics on the ground. A production services company also hires the local crew and equipment, manages the budget, insurance and permits, and takes operational responsibility for the shoot. A fixer can be enough for a small documentary team; a crew with several locations and performers usually needs a production company.
Does Sequoia Studio work in English?
Yes. We answer production enquiries in English from Bogotá and organize bilingual responsibilities for each project. We do not administer incentives or issue permits; we coordinate local planning, crew, locations and permit requests with the official bodies.
Official sources
Checked on 9 November 2026 (Aerocivil’s RAC 100 and circular MAUT-5.0-22-012 were last read on 27 September 2026). Rules, fees and minimum amounts change: confirm the current version with the official body before budgeting. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- Bogotá Film Commission (Idartes): PUFA unified filming permit
- Bogotá Film Commission (Idartes): PUFA, Spanish page with modalities, lead times and insurance
- Colombia Film Commission: Law 1556 of 2012 incentives (CINA and FFC)
- Colombia Film Commission: CINA transferable tax credit, minimum spend by format
- Colombia Film Commission: CINA, call, review time and spending window (Spanish)
- Colombia Film Commission: FFC cash rebate, minimum spend and 2026 cap
- Colombia Film Commission: Incentives Handbook, March 2026 (PDF)
- Colombia Film Commission: about us and the Colombia Film Promotion Committee
- Colombia Film Commission: national and local filming permits
- Colombia Film Commission: visas and immigration permits for foreign crew
- Colombia Film Commission: customs for audiovisual equipment and drones
- Colombia Film Commission: Law 1556, local contracting and VAT exemption (Spanish)
- Colombia Film Commission: permits in Bogotá and Medellín (Spanish)
- Presidency of Colombia: Decree 0159 of 2026, monthly minimum wage for 2026 (PDF)
- Aerocivil: Visor Geográfico UAS, map of drone no-fly zones
- Law 1556 of 2012, official text (Senate of Colombia)
- Aerocivil: RAC 100, unmanned aircraft systems (Amendment 2, December 2024)
- Aerocivil: important information on the regulation of unmanned aviation (UAS)
- Aerocivil: FAQ, drones and urban air mobility
- Aerocivil: information circular MAUT-5.0-22-012, UAS flight authorization requests
- Aerocivil: unmanned aviation (UAS/drones), regulations, circulars and forms
- Aerocivil: “Vuela Legal, Vuela Seguro” campaign and penalties (May 2026)
Keep planning
Our English pages for international teams, and the Spanish guides this one builds on.
Discuss your shoot