Visas, Permits & Certificates

Find out first: Do I need a visa? How long will it take?

Some countries require you to have a visa, some don't. It all depends on the relationship your country has with the country you are visiting. See IATA for more information on visiting specific countries.

The process of getting a visa can be as simple as buying one at your destination, or it can be a lengthy application process involving a good deal of support documentation about your programme, its' crew and presenters and an in person interview at the Embassy.

Sometimes you will have to post the applicant's passport to the country's Embassy and it may take several weeks to turn it round.

With this is mind, as soon as you think you might need to film in a foreign country, get in touch with their Embassy to find out about visa requirements. It could take longer than you think!

Work Permits

Filming in a foreign country is classed as 'working' in that country even if you are not being paid locally. Some countries are very relaxed about this and you can enter without a work permit. Others are very strict as they see it as taking work away from their own labour force who in their mind can do the job equally as well as your own crew.

Getting a work permit can be difficult and in some cases almost impossible. You may need to apply through the country's Human Resources Bureau and you will need a lot of supporting documentation to make a strong enough case. Obviously, this is not a quick process.

The first thing to do is contact your destination country's Embassy and find out what their policy is. Do this as soon as you possibly can to leave you enough time to process your application.

Medical Certificates

You will always need to check which diseases to protect against during your trip, and you can do this via your own occupational health department or an advisory service such as MASTA.

Some countries require you to have proof of vaccination in the form of a certificate which must be presented on arrival.

The requirement for having a certificate can also depend on which countries you are entering from. For example Kenya requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate only if you're entering from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic.

See IATA for more information on specific countries