Drone permit in Nepal

Nepal has rich and diverse natural landscapes, making it a paradise for flying drones and small UAVs for enthusiasts and professionals. It is compulsory to take a drone permit in Nepal. For filmmakers planning to film in Nepal, bringing a drone is essential as it provides opportunities for unique moments, stunning backdrops, and unexpected POVs and camera angles. In this land of mountains, rivers, and temples, UAV-based filming will allow you to capture the magnitude of nature and man’s insignificance separately and in a single frame.

If you plan to make any film in Nepal, need access to a supportive team, or obtain any kind of support in Nepal, please feel free to join cinemake or contact us.

Flying UAVs and drones for filming in Nepal is allowed legally by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) under the Nepal drone permit laws. Filmmakers need to follow the procedure outlined by CAAN and get an appropriate drone permit in Nepal based on the purpose, location, and drone / UAV type. Drone permit for film in Nepal is a necessity for enthusiast and professional filmmakers,

For casual filmmakers and small film crews using amateur or semi-professional UAV equipment (within 2 kgs). There are various things you need to consider before getting your Nepal drone permit:

• Evaluate if your drone meets the security standards of the airline or the airport in your nation
• Check whether your drone is equipped with any dangerous materials that do not meet transport requirements (such as high voltage batteries that might need additional clarification during airport security checks)
• Search and examine the particular regulations of your airline on traveling with a drone
• Also, ensure you are familiar with Nepali drone legislation and other regulations before getting your drone to permit Nepal.

Climate

For UAV and drone operators interested in aerial photo and videography, you must be fully aware of the climatic conditions in Nepal before arriving. It will determine the success or failure of your UAV endeavors and the quality of your footage. Before getting your drone permit for film in Nepal, you must pay attention to this area.

Specifically for filming in the high Himalayas, it is recommended that you travel during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). Which are the also among the best seasons for traveling to Nepal. During this time, the weather is fair, the skies are blue, and the mountains are full of snow. The wind is also within a controllable range, making for a smooth and risk-free flying experience.

Following this recommendation is unnecessary if you are not filming high in the mountains. You can arrive at any time of the year, except for peak monsoon (July-August) due to the unpredictable rainfalls and during the peak of winter (December – January) due to heavy fogs throughout the country. It is better to avoid these two time periods to reduce the risk of damage and loss of your drone / UAV.

Getting your drone permit in Nepal

Drone and UAV legislation was passed in Nepal in 2015 to facilitate journalistic and humanitarian relief and rescue operations during the 2015 earthquake that shook the country. This catastrophe also set the stage for UAV and drone operation inside a legal framework in the country, which made getting the Nepal drone permits possible. This also popularized the concept of drone permits for film in Nepal.

The legal framework to acquire a drone permit in Nepal reads as follows:

• Operating drones in Nepal by a foreign visitor requires permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)
• Tourists who wish to get a drone permit in Nepal must first acquire authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. However, it is not crucial if a drone is less than 2kg and flies below 200ft from the ground.
• Prior authorization from the department relating to the subject matter of study, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal are required to fly a drone (more than 2kg) for research and educational purposes.
• Suppose Tourists wish to fly a drone inside national parks and conservation areas. They must acquire a drone permit in Nepal from the authorization of Boddy Conservation Area/ National Parks, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Tourism, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
• Less than 2kg drones weighing (4.5 pounds) need not require a permit from the CAAN authorization. If flying over private land at a height not exceeding 200 feet, it does not require a Nepal drone permit.
• Drone pilots should have skills in flight and a basic understanding of drone operation rules and laws in Nepal.
• Do not fly a drone in a way that endangers the safety of the UAV flying in the area.
• Use a UAV only within the extent of your authorization.
• Flying a drone without a permit is forbidden and will result in penalties in conformity with civil aviation laws.
• Flying a UAV in a public place for recreational purposes necessitates authorization from the local security agency.
• The person operating a drone is solely responsible for any injury to individuals or damage to property caused by the operation of the drone.
• Don’t fly a drone higher than 120m (394ft) and outside of the operator’s line of sight, and that too no further than 500m (1,640ft).
• Avoid flying a drone carelessly, and don’t use it to harm the local flora and fauna.
• Flying within 50 meters (164 feet) of any locomotive or a construction venue is prohibited.
• Airport zones should be clean from all drone activities.

Drone permit in Nepal is a very messy topic due to the different laws and policies that apply to different types of drones / UAV, the purpose of flying, region, and so on. So, it is recommended that you get in touch with us, and we will answer all your queries.

Recognized UAV types and risk rating

The government of Nepal has classified drones into four categories based on weight and risk:

• Operating drones in Nepal by a foreign visitor requires permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)
• Tourists who wish to get a drone permit in Nepal must first acquire authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. However, it is not crucial if a drone is less than 2kg and flies below 200ft from the ground.
• Prior authorization from the department relating to the subject matter of study, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal are required to fly a drone (more than 2kg) for research and educational purposes.
• Suppose Tourists wish to fly a drone inside national parks and conservation areas. They must acquire a drone permit in Nepal from the authorization of Boddy Conservation Area/ National Parks, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Tourism, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
• Less than 2kg drones weighing (4.5 pounds) need not require a permit from the CAAN authorization. If flying over private land at a height not exceeding 200 feet, it does not require a Nepal drone permit.
• Drone pilots should have skills in flight and a basic understanding of drone operation rules and laws in Nepal.
• Do not fly a drone in a way that endangers the safety of the UAV flying in the area.
• Use a UAV only within the extent of your authorization.
• Flying a drone without a permit is forbidden and will result in penalties in conformity with civil aviation laws.
• Flying a UAV in a public place for recreational purposes necessitates authorization from the local security agency.
• The person operating a drone is solely responsible for any injury to individuals or damage to property caused by the operation of the drone.
• Don’t fly a drone higher than 120m (394ft) and outside of the operator’s line of sight, and that too no further than 500m (1,640ft).
• Avoid flying a drone carelessly, and don’t use it to harm the local flora and fauna.
• Flying within 50 meters (164 feet) of any locomotive or a construction venue is prohibited.
• Airport zones should be clean from all drone activities.

Drone permit in Nepal is a very messy topic due to the different laws and policies that apply to different types of drones / UAV, the purpose of flying, region, and so on. So, it is recommended that you get in touch with us, and we will answer all your queries.

Recognized UAV types and risk rating

The government of Nepal has classified drones into four categories based on weight and risk:

 

Basis	A	B	C	D
Weight	Up to 250gm	250gm-2kg	2kg-25kg	Above 25kg
Risk	Very Low Risk	Low Risk	Moderate Risk	Very High Risk

 

Conclusion

As we said below, Nepal is a paradise for flying drones / UAVs for photo and videography. While you will enjoy getting those excellent shots, you will also need to bear the hassle of paperwork to be safe and within the bounds of the law. Especially for small crews and independent filmmakers, the legal troubles will take all the fun out of filming and travel. So, whether you are a small team or a large crew, you can contact us to handle your paperwork.

We also provide professional travel, logistical, creative, and rental solutions for film projects across Nepal. You are definitely in good hands with us.