Nepal Film Production
Drone Permits in Nepal Background
DRONE & AERIAL PERMITS
CAAN-Approved Aerial & Drone Filming Clearance

Drone Permits in
Nepal

About This Service

Your Drone Permits in Nepal From Paperwork to Liftoff

Flying a drone in Nepal for any commercial, documentary, or promotional shoot requires a permit issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), and in most cases, sign-off from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs, and local security agencies as well. The process is procedural, not difficult, but it's easy to get wrong if you're filing from outside the country or unfamiliar with which office handles what.

Nepal Film Production (NFP) manages the entire drone permit process on your behalf: registering your equipment, filing with the correct authorities, clearing restricted zones, and keeping your production on schedule. You focus on the shot list. We handle the paperwork.

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verified_user Multi-Agency Clearance
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Capabilities

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Regulatory Navigation

We know exactly which combination of CAAN, MOIC, and local approvals your shoot needs, so you're not guessing or over-filing.

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Drone & Pilot Registration

We register your equipment and, where required, source a certified local pilot familiar with Nepal's airspace rules.

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Timeline Management

We build permit lead time into your production schedule so approvals never become the reason a shoot slips.

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On-Set Compliance Support

We stay reachable through the shoot to handle last-minute location changes or authority queries.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why Drone Filming in Nepal Requires a Permit Specialist

Nepal treats aerial equipment as a security and safety matter, not a formality. Drones fall under aviation law, and CAAN has the authority to seize equipment, fine operators, or halt a production entirely for unauthorized flights — regardless of whether the breach was intentional. Restricted zones around airports, military installations, borders, and heritage sites are strictly enforced, and approvals typically involve more than one government body. For international crews working on a fixed shoot window, that complexity is exactly where delays and denials happen.

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Without a Drone Permit in Nepal — What Goes Wrong

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Drone confiscation and equipment held by CAAN or local police

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Fines and legal action under Nepal's Civil Aviation Act

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Production shutdown mid-shoot if flown without authorization

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Applications rejected for missing insurance, flight plans, or pilot credentials

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Delays from filing with the wrong agency for the location or drone class

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Difficulty securing future permits after a compliance violation

OUR CAPABILITIES

Drone Permit Capabilities

From a single Kathmandu rooftop shot to a multi-week Himalayan aerial shoot, we handle every stage of getting your drone legally in the air.

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Permit Filing & CAAN Liaison

Complete application preparation and direct coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal on your behalf.

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Drone & Pilot Registration

Equipment registration, call sign issuance, and licensed pilot sourcing where a local operator is required.

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Restricted Zone Clearance Security

Clearance for filming near airports, military zones, borders, and government installations.

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National Park & Conservation Approvals

Coordination with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) for protected areas like Sagarmatha, Langtang, and Chitwan.

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Insurance Arrangement

Local aerial liability insurance sourced and submitted to meet CAAN's documentation standards.

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Flight Plan Preparation

Detailed flight plans covering altitude, coordinates, and timing, built to match your shot list.

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Local Pilot Sourcing

Certified drone operators familiar with Himalayan wind, altitude, and terrain conditions.

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Multi-Location & Multi-Drone Filing

Single coordinated application process for productions covering several locations or drone units.

OUR PROCESS

How We Secure Your Drone Permit

01

Project & Equipment Assessment

We review your drone specs, shoot locations, and flight purpose to confirm exactly which permits and agencies apply.

02

Documentation & Application Filing

We prepare and submit your CAAN application along with insurance, flight plan, and any location-specific clearances.

03

Multi-Agency Coordination & Follow-Up

We liaise with CAAN, local authorities, and — where relevant — MOIC, Nepal Police, or DNPWC until approval is confirmed.

04

Permit Delivery & On-Set Compliance

You receive your approved permit ahead of the shoot, with our team on call to manage any on-ground compliance needs.

Before We Start

What We Need From You

The faster you provide these details, the faster we can file. Most standard drone permits process within 7–14 working days once a complete application is submitted; protected areas or heavy-lift/FPV drones can take longer.

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Missing documents delay permits — send us these as early as possible in pre-production.

Document Why Required Format
Drone specifications (make, model, weight) Determines permit category and applicable CAAN restrictions PDF or spec sheet
Pilot license / flying experience certificate Confirms operator competency for CAAN review PDF
Insurance certificate Mandatory for commercial aerial operations PDF
Detailed flight plan Locations, altitude, and timing for CAAN and security review PDF, 1–3 pages
Script or shoot brief Required to file as a commercial production entity PDF
Crew and pilot passport copies Needed for foreign crew and equipment declarations PDF scan
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Where We Secure Drone Permits in Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

Heritage Sites Urban Filming Government Coordination

Permits for drone work around Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, including UNESCO heritage zones requiring separate clearance.

Everest & High Himalaya

High-Altitude Remote Logistics Sagarmatha National Park

Aerial permits for Everest region shoots, coordinated with DNPWC and local authorities for high-altitude flight conditions.

Annapurna & Pokhara Region

Lakes Trekking Routes Mountain Landscapes

Clearance for aerial filming across the Annapurna Conservation Area and Pokhara's lake and mountain landscapes.

National Parks & Conservation Areas

Wildlife Protected Zones DNPWC Approval

Specialized permits for Chitwan, Langtang, and other protected areas with added wildlife and environmental clearance.

Restricted & Border Zones

Military Zones Airports Security Clearance

Extended clearance process for locations near airports, borders, and sensitive government or military sites.

Rural & Remote Districts

Local Municipality Approval Village Filming

Coordination with local municipal offices for aerial filming outside major production hubs.

FAQ

Common
Questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often about drone permits in Nepal.

Do I need a permit to fly a drone in Nepal? add

Yes. Any commercial, documentary, or promotional drone flight requires authorization from CAAN, regardless of drone size or crew nationality.

How long does it take to get a drone permit in Nepal? add

Standard permits typically take 7–14 working days. Protected areas, heavy-lift drones, or FPV setups can take up to 21 days.

Do small or lightweight drones still need a permit? add

Very small recreational drones flown privately below a low altitude threshold may be exempt, but any commercial filming use still requires CAAN authorization.

What documents does NFP need from us to start? add

Drone specifications, pilot credentials, insurance, a flight plan, a shoot brief, and company registration details — see the requirements list above.

Can we fly near Everest, national parks, or heritage sites? add

Yes, but these areas require additional clearance from DNPWC, the Department of Archaeology, or local authorities, which we manage as part of the permit process.

What happens if we fly without a permit? add

CAAN can confiscate equipment, issue fines, and shut down filming. Repeat or serious violations can also affect approval for future productions.

Can foreign crews bring their own drones into Nepal? add

Yes, with customs declaration and CAAN registration on arrival. We help prepare this documentation in advance to avoid delays at the border.

Do you provide local drone pilots if we don't bring our own? add

Yes, we can source certified local operators experienced with Himalayan altitude and weather conditions.

READY TO FLY?

Get Your Drone Permit
Sorted Before You Land

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