Drone Filming in Nepal: Official Laws, Registration, and Permit Rules (2025 Guide)

9th May, 2025

- Prajwal Acharya

Nepal is a dream destination for drone operators, offering Himalayan landscapes, ancient temples, and culturally rich aerial potential. However, drone operations are tightly regulated. Any person or organization looking to film, survey, or fly drones in Nepal must follow national aviation laws, conservation area policies, and local administrative procedures.

This 2025 guide provides a complete summary of the laws governing drone filming in Nepal, including CAAN registration, Home Ministry flight rules, permit costs, airspace restrictions, and protected area regulations.

1. Drone Classification by Weight (MTOW – Maximum Take-Off Weight)

2. CAAN Drone Registration (Valid for 3 Months)

All drones above Category A must be registered with CAAN using RPA/Form/01.

Documents Required:

• Completed RPA/Form/01

• Owner/company name, address, contact

• Passport-size photo of applicant

• Drone details: manufacturer, model, serial number, manufacture year, type, payload, color, retailer

• Citizenship/passport or company registration

• Drone manual and specification sheet

• Photo of drone with model and serial number

• Purpose of operation

• VAT bill (if bought in Nepal)

• Customs clearance (if imported)

Fee: USD 50 + 13% VAT
Validity: 3 months

3. Pilot Qualifications (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Drone pilots must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have basic flight control and technical training

• Understand radio frequency operations

• Know how to land/take off and control the drone safely

• Must not interfere with telecom, security, or aviation systems

• May need third-party insurance for commercial flights

4. Flight Limits and No-Fly Zones

Prohibited flight times:

• Between midnight and sunrise

• When ground visibility is <5 km or cloud ceiling <450 m

Restricted Areas (unless authorized):

• Within 5 km of airports or air routes

• Within 5 km of international borders

• Kathmandu: Maitighar Mandala, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Budhanilkantha, all Durbar Squares, Singha Durbar, and residences of VIPs (within 1000 m radius)

• 500 m radius around military/security headquarters

• Cultural, religious, archaeological, and government buildings

• Hospitals, dense urban zones, and private property

• Areas affecting frequencies used by telecom, aviation, or security agencies

• Personal privacy and public safety zones

Flight restrictions:

• Max altitude: 100 meters

• Max horizontal distance: 300 meters

• Max endurance: 15 minutes per flight

• Permits must be coordinated with the local CAAN and CDO offices

5. Filming Laws and Permit Conditions (As per Nepal Gazette Vol. 68 No. 34)

Legal Drone Permit Fees for National Parks, Conservation Areas

Additional Charges:

• An extra 25% fee is levied when shooting a film or documentary (including drone use) that captures scenic or cultural landscapes. This fee applies on top of the base permit cost.

• This rate applies specifically to filming in protected zones managed by NTNC and DNPWC such as Annapurna, Manaslu, Everest, Langtang, and Chitwan.

Liaison Officer Requirement:

• For foreign filming teams, the Department of Information or Tourism assigns a liaison officer to accompany the crew throughout the shoot.

• The liaison officer is mandatory for projects involving drones.

• The production team must cover the officer’s daily allowance, travel, food, and accommodation.

• This rule applies to all international drone shoots labeled as documentary or cinematographic projects.

Non-Documentary Drone Use:

• According to Clause (j) of the Gazette: "When using drones for purposes other than documentary, after completing the usual procedure, the prescribed fee for cinematography (documentary, film) will be charged."

• Even if your drone shoot is not labeled as a film or documentary, you are still obliged to pay the full filming fee. Recreational or commercial drone activities must follow the same legal and financial framework.

Summary of Drone Filming in Nepal:

6. Permit Exemptions from Ministry of Home Affairs

Flight permit is not required in the following cases:

• Category A/B drones (under 2 kg), flying under 200 ft AGL within university or study centers, with institutional approval and prior police notification

• Government drones (Cat A/B) used for official purposes with prior information to local administration

• Cultural or personal events within private homes using Category A drones, under 50 ft AGL, with prior police information

7. Enforcement and Penalties

• Unauthorized drones will be confiscated immediately and handed over to CAAN

• Violators are prosecuted under the Civil Aviation Act, 2053 and the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063

• Drone flight permits are non-transferable

• Security forces may seize drones flown in restricted zones without consultation

• Any violation of no-fly conditions will lead to legal and financial penalties

Conclusion

Drone filming in Nepal is legally possible—but only through strict compliance with national, district, and conservation laws. CAAN registration, Home Ministry clearances, frequency approvals, and conservation area permits are mandatory for legal operations.

Annapurna Encounter Pvt. Ltd. can assist with:

• Drone registration and application preparation

• Ministry and district-level approvals

• Protected area permit processing (NTNC/DNPWC)

• Liaison officer coordination

Contact us today for professional drone logistics and compliance in Nepal's most scenic regions.