Filming Request

All individuals or companies that are interested in filming in Guyana are required to secure the necessary
permission from relevant authorities and management. These may include but not limited to (depending
on locations and activities):
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)
• Protected Areas Commission (Filming at Kaieteur National Park)
• Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs or Village Council (Amerindian Villages)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries (Filming of Arapaima Fish)
• Property Management of the Cathedral (Filming of St. George’s Cathedral)
• Transport and Harbours Department (Filming of Lighthouse)
• Demerara Harbour Bridge Management (Filming of Demerara Harbour Bridge)
• Georgetown Mayor and City Council (Filming of Stabroek Market, etc)

N.B. The GTA should be copied in all correspondences sent to the relevant authorities. This is critical as the GTA,
the facilitator will work with the sister agencies to ensure the necessary permits are issued in a timely manner.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
Film Application Process -All individuals or companies must complete an EPA application form seeking
permission to film in Guyana whether it is for research or just simply to film an activity, attraction or event.
N.B. EPA application must be completed ONLINE using the online system referred to as the National
Biodiversity Research Information System (NBRIS) for the submission and processing of all applications.
Registration- Access the online system at the following URL: epabiodiv.gy/rap. The first step of the online
application process is to register. The EPA will then decide whether or not to approve or disapprove said
registration. After submission of registration, you will receive an email asking you to confirm said
registration. Ensure that this is done.

Submission of Application- Once approval is obtained, the applicant then proceeds with filling out the
application by signing on back to the account they would have created on the site. When all sections of the
application are filled, the 'Final Submit' button should be clicked.
Please be advised that the online system is set to 'Time Out' in thirty (30) minutes if no activity is being
done on the application. It is advised that all the information is at hand before proceeding to fill out the
application.

Payment of Fees- Before processing of an application can begin; applicants are required to pay the
required fees. The application fee is US$ 75. However, applications that are made in less than three months
prior to the commencement of filming require a late application fee of US$ 40. The Permit fee is paid when
the Permit is uplifted.

Processing of Application- Once the application fees are paid, the application is then submitted to the
National Biodiversity Committee-Applications subcommittee (NBC- ASC) for review. After the review
process, comments are compiled and posted on the application.

Application Approval- Applications are approved once all the comments from the NBC-ASC have been
addressed. The Permit is then prepared for issuance. Please note that applicants are required to come into
the EPA to pay a fee of US 750 and uplift their Permits.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
EPA ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR DIRECT WIRING OF APPLICATION FEES
For US$ Remittances
REMIT TO: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., NEW YORK
SWIFT BIC: CHASUS33 CHIPS ABA: 0002
FEDWIRE ABA: 021000021

TO CREDIT: Transit # 94375 - THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
Country Management Office - Guyana 1st Floor
104 Carmichael Street Georgetown, Guyana.
S.W.I.F.T. Address: (SWIFT / BIC(s) NOSCGYGE
Phone Number: 592-225-9222
Fax Number: 592-225-9309
Country Manager: Ian Cooper

BENEFICIARY: Environmental Protection Agency
Account #: 57810

For GBP (British Pounds) Remittances
REMIT TO: HSBC BANL PLC (FORMERLY MIDLAND BANK PLC) LONDON
SWIFT ADDRESS: MIDLGB22F

TO CREDIT: Transit # 94375 - THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
Country Management Office - Guyana 1st Floor
104 Carmichael Street Georgetown, Guyana.
S.W.I.F.T. Address: (SWIFT / BIC(s) NOSCGYGE
Phone Number: 592-225-9222
Fax Number: 592-225-9309
Country Manager: Ian Cooper

BENEFICIARY: Environmental Protection Agency
Account #: 57810

​

The GTA film application (form attached) must be completed and submitted at least one
(1) month prior to arrival in Guyana. Submission of the required information and documents to the GTA
will allow for film companies and individuals to be guided to the relevant authorities for permits, etc.
Below are details on submitting the GTA film application:

1. Submit a complete filming application form to the GTA along with the following documentation:
o Synopsis of film project
o tinerary
o Film Equipment List (item description, serial number, quantity, unit cost and total cost) MUST be
submitted at least seven (7) days prior to arrival.
o Copy of Insurance for Equipment/Personnel especially in the case of high risk filming e.g. free climbing
Mount Roraima, abseiling Kaieteur Falls, etc.
o Background on Film Company, network to be aired, timelines for airings and network
viewership/household reach of production.
o Flight details for crew and equipment and bio data information for teams.
o These documents can be submitted by email to info@guyana-tourism.com or Fax to 592 219 0093.
N.B. There is NO application fee currently charged by the Guyana Tourism Authority.

2.A temporary import license is granted for the film equipment and it is understood that the equipment
must leave Guyana upon completion of the filming (3 months or less). The Guyana Tourism Authority will
assist to expedite this process with the Guyana Revenue Authority by providing an endorsement letter.
However, you may be required to retain the services of a Custom Broker at your cost.

3.There are no incentives (except temporary importation of equipment).

4.A letter of support and/or endorsement from the Guyana Tourism Authority will be issued after
Applicant has satisfactorily vetted and has complied with the conditions.
N.B. Due to Guyana’s expansive landscape and remoteness of film locations, GTA highly recommends the use of
local tour operators to handle all travel logistics.

PROTECTED AREAS COMMISSION (PAC)
Film Application Process
Submit letter with supporting documents to the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner via email at
denisef.pac@gmail.com or odavis.pac@gmail.com and copy same to daisyj.pac@gmail.com to request
permission to film at Kaieteur National Park.

For film companies interested in filming restricted areas of Kaieteur, a formal request must be made to
PAC by the team and must be inclusive of the names of the travel party, the expected date of the visit and
any other pertinent information. This request can be made via email to the above mentioned addresses.
(See Appendix for GPS Points and Maps of Kaieteur National Park and Kanuku Mountains Protected
Area).

N.B. Adequate notice must be given prior to the commencement of filming.
For film companies interested in abseiling in Kaieteur National Park, a more detailed process has to be
followed. Below are details on this process:

1. Formal letter of request along with proposal outlining the details of the activity with infrastructural
requirements, safeguards that will be put in place and emergency measures in case of an accident must be
submitted to the PAC.

2. If permission is granted, the company will be required to sign a document taking responsibility for any
injuries to persons and damage to property and waiving the Commission’s liability for all such.

3. There is also a flat Tour Guide Fee of GY $4,500 for the group and Landing Fee of GY $3,000 per person,
which can be purchased at the PAC’s Office at the National Park in Georgetown.
Mr. Thadaigh Baggallay can be contacted on telephone numbers 592 227 1888 or 227 2265 or email
thadaigh.baggallay@fzs.org for alternative sites for abseiling in Kaieteur National Park.

N.B. Permission from PAC for any film activities will not be granted if companies do not seek the necessary
EPA Permit.

MINISTRY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ AFFAIRS/ VILLAGE COUNCIL
Film Application Process
Submit a letter to the respective Village Council requesting permission to enter the village.
Once you obtain a letter of approval from the communities for e.g. Rewa or Surama, the Ministry of
Indigenous Peoples Affairs permit will be issued quickly.

See application form attached which must be completed per person and submitted to
minister@indigenouspeoples.gov.gy and copied to Secretary, Ms. Shoma Shalini at
bravey4u@yahoo.com.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
Film Application Process
Submit a letter requesting permission to film the Arapaima Fish to the Fisheries Department at
fisheriesguyana@gmail.com. Please see contact list for details.
ST. GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL
Film Application Process
Submit a letter requesting permission to film the cathedral to the Management of the Cathedral. Please
see contact list for details.
TRANSPORT AND HARBOURS DEPARTMENT (TH & D)
Film Application Process
Submit a letter requesting permission to film the Lighthouse to the General Manager of the TH&D. Please
see contact list for details.
DEMERARA HARBOUR BRIDGE
Film Application Process
Submit a letter requesting permission to film the Harbour Bridge to the General Manager at
gmharbourbridge@gmail.com.
GEORGETOWN MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Film Application Process
Submit a letter requesting permission to film the Stabroek Market to the Georgetown Mayor and City
Council. Please see contact list for details.

VISA APPLICATION PROCESS
Work Permits are not required once the company is not working for a local company and as such, is not
paid by any local company for work completed.
To determine whether any personnel require a visa, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at
http://www.minfor.gov.gy/; alternatively you can request a copy of the document from the Guyana Tourism
Authority.
For individuals that require a visa, an application (form attached) can be submitted to Immigration upon
entry into Guyana.

The personnel will need to have the following documents:
1. Letter requesting visa on arrival
• Letter should indicate the reason (s) for requesting visa on arrival
• Duration of stay while in Guyana
2. Document with filming information
3. Letter from Employer with Company Information
4. Copy of Bio data page in passport
5. One passport size photograph
DRONE OPERATIONS PROCEDURES
Operators or owners of drones are required to notify the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The
letter to GCAA should include the following:
1. Purpose of drone operations
2. Area of intended operations
3. The specific time

4. Satellite locations (the geographic latitude and longitude pinned on a Google map is advised).
A similar letter should also be addressed to the Minister of Public Security with attention to the
Commissioner of Police requesting drone security clearance.
N.B. To fast track the permit process the Operator/Owner permits (if applicable) from EPA, PAC and GTA should be
attached.

For any questions on drone operations you can contact Capt. Christine Marcus via email at
cmarcus@gcaa-gy.org or Mr. Bentick at rbentick@gcaa-gy.org.