Drone Registration in Nepal: CAAN
Process, Fee, Documents & Penalties
How Do You Register a Drone in Nepal?
Drone registration in Nepal is handled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
Nepal's Drone Related Procedure, 2019 states that flying equipment used for any purpose must be registered with CAAN and receive a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
Registration identifies your drone.
It does not automatically give you permission to fly it.
Step 1: Find Your Drone Category
Before registering, check your drone's Maximum Take-off Weight.
Nepal uses four categories: A, B, C and D.
If you do not know yours, read our guide to the drone category for registration in Nepal.
You need the correct weight and aircraft details for registration.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
The documents differ slightly for Nepalese and foreign applicants.
For an individual Nepalese applicant, CAAN's registration checklist includes identification such as a passport-size photograph and citizenship certificate, together with the required drone information and registration application. CAAN maintains a separate official checklist for Nepalese applicants.
For a foreign applicant, CAAN's current checklist includes:
Registration application
Passport-size photograph
Drone photograph showing the serial number
Passport with a valid Nepal visa
Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Declaration for the drone
Registration fee
Purpose of Operation and Letter of Commitment
CAAN also states that the aircraft should have a proper model and serial number.
Step 3: Apply Through CAAN
Nepalese applicants can follow CAAN's drone registration procedure.
Foreign nationals have a separate process.
CAAN currently states that a foreign national who intends to operate a drone in Nepal must obtain Temporary Drone Registration from its Flight Safety Standards Department (FSSD).
CAAN's current instruction also tells foreign applicants to visit FSSD in person and present the drone for inspection.
How Much Does Drone Registration Cost in Nepal?
As of August 2026, CAAN's current registration checklists list a registration fee of:
USD 50 + 13% VAT
That equals USD 56.50 including VAT, before any currency conversion or payment-related difference.
The current CAAN search listing shows the same USD 50 + 13% VAT fee in its updated Nepalese registration checklist, while the current foreign-applicant checklist also states USD 50 + 13% VAT.
Because fees can be revised, use CAAN's current checklist at the time you apply rather than relying on older blogs.
Step 4: Get Your UIN
After CAAN approves the registration, the drone receives a Unique Identification Number or UIN.
The government procedure requires the registration number to be placed on the aircraft in the required manner.
Keep the registration details available whenever you operate the drone.
Do Category C and D Drones Need Extra Checks?
Yes.
CAAN's current checklist says Category C and D drones above 2 kg must be brought to the Flight Safety Standards Department for physical verification during registration.
These heavier categories have stricter requirements than small consumer drones.
Can I Fly Immediately After Registration?
Not necessarily.
This is the most important part of the process:
Drone registration and drone flight permission are two different approvals.
Where flight permission is required, Nepal's Drone Related Procedure says Category A and B drones flying up to 200 ft AGL apply through the concerned District Administration Office. Other cases may require an application through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Depending on your location and purpose, coordination or approval may also be required from the local administration or other concerned authority.
For professional filming, our team can manage this process through Nepal Film Production's drone permit service. We coordinate with the concerned authorities so the production does not have to manage each office separately.
What Is the Fine for Not Registering a Drone in Nepal?
There is no single fixed fine in the Drone Related Procedure labelled only as “the fine for not registering a drone.”
That distinction matters.
Section 25 of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Act, 2053 provides different penalties depending on the offence.
Doing an activity regulated or prohibited by CAAN without its prior approval, or breaking conditions attached to an approval, can result in a fine of up to NPR 50,000. Other offences under Section 25 can carry fines of up to NPR 25,000 or NPR 10,000, depending on the violation. See the official CAAN Act.
So it would be misleading to say every unregistered drone automatically receives a fixed NPR 50,000 fine.
Can an Unauthorized Drone Be Seized?
Yes.
Nepal's Drone Related Procedure says that when a drone is flown without the required authorization, the unauthorized drone can be seized.
The procedure provides for the seized aircraft to be sent to CAAN and handled under the legal process. It also refers to auction of a seized drone under the applicable rules.
This is why registration and the required flight permission should be completed before take-off.
The Registration Process in One Line
Check category → prepare documents → register with CAAN → pay the official fee → receive the UIN → obtain the required flight permission → fly.
For most drone owners, that is the legal path to follow in Nepal.