India
Location: South Asia
Currencies
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Q. Are there any requirements, when sending INR?
A. Just your details, the beneficiary details (including their bank’s IFSC code) and the purpose of the payment.
Q. How much can I send?
A. As much as you want.
Q. Can I make payments to NRE and NRO accounts?
A. Yes, you can send funds to both Non-Resident Rupee accounts and Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee accounts.
Q. Do INR payments take a long time?
A. Not if your currency broker uses a Rupee drawing arrangement (RDA), which allows them to use the domestic banking system that facilitates same-day payments.
Q. Who can I send INR to?
A. Both individuals and businesses can receive funds.
Q. Is sending INR expensive?
A. Not if you use the right currency broker, who will be able to offer you bank-beating exchange rates and significantly lower payment charges.
Q. Can you use forward contracts with INR?
A. Yes. With the right currency broker, you can book an INR exchange rate for up to a year forward, protecting you against any adverse currency movements. With these contracts, you will always know exactly what is coming out of your bank account.
Information courtesy of Currencies Direct.
Visas & Permits
Visas & Work Permits
Before applying for a visa, the project first needs permission from the India government.
Visiting productions need to apply for a Ministry of External Affairs Location Permit at a local Indian consulate or embassy. The application must include an invitation letter from an Indian production service company, as well as full project details including synopsis, location list, visiting crew details, equipment list and other relevant information.
Travel for scouting or meetings doesn’t require prior permission, and individuals can just enter on a Business or Journalist Visa.
With regards to long-form projects, India now offers an F Visa, allowing visiting film crews multiple entries for up to one year.
For crews travelling on Western passports, India offers an online visa application service.
Please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. Alternatively, there are specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry, and may be able to assist.
Film Location Permits
India is known for its red tape, so choosing the right service producer or fixer is essential. Permits are generally not difficult to obtain as long as local customs and traditions are respected. Laws governing filming have many clauses that can be used to shut-down a shoot, making it impossible for foreign producers to exercise complete control over any production, so a patient approach is required.
India comprises of a collection of states that have their own practices, alongside central government bureaucracy. So, hiring a well-connected local producer or fixer definitely helps.
A simple b-roll shoot can take around two weeks to permit, whereas filming at a heritage location can take up to six weeks to permit.
Customs
For productions looking to bring in film equipment, India is an ATA carnet country.
When to Film
When to Film
India is a large country with a wide range of weather conditions. It hosts six major climatic subtypes, ranging from desert in the west, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, to humid tropical regions supporting rainforests in the southwest and the island territories. Many regions have very different microclimates.
India has four seasons: winter (January and February), summer (March to May), a monsoon season (June to September) and a post-monsoon period (October to December).
In Northern India, November to March are the best months to shoot. Some parts of the Himalayan range are inaccessible, due to heavy snow from November onwards, with road access not reopened until June. The north is also subject to landslides during the monsoon season. Southern India, east of the Western Ghats, remains dry during the monsoon period.
In India, Hinduism is the largest religion, but there are also Buddhist and Sikh communities.
Public Holidays
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in India.
Costs & VAT
In India, costs vary greatly depending on location. Mumbai has become very expensive. Otherwise, other parts of India are still relatively cost competitive. Crew costs are low compared to most of the world. Talent is inexpensive and most equipment is available locally.
Cities such as Mumbai have very congested traffic, which limits the number of possible crew moves in a day. This may increase the number of shoot days required.
Many impressive locations also require travel outside of major production centres, which can add significant costs to the shoot.
In India, the VAT rate is known as the GST (Goods & Services Tax) rate. At the time of writing, it ranges from 5% to 28%, depending on the type of goods and services.
Funding & Tax Incentives
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)
Tax Incentives
At the time of writing, this country does not have any filming incentives. However, up-to-date information on global filming incentives may be found on the Entertainment Partners' Production Incentives Map.