Filming Permit in Nepal
A filming permit for a foreign filmmaker/production house to shoot in Nepal is very critical. Permit for an international shooting is given by the information and technology Ministry. As a permit is obtained, it must be obtained from the Ministry, which will help the filming crew in all the shooting locations. If the client is bringing their equipment, we have to acquire film board permits for customs clearance. After the production company fills out the government's regular form, we are able to process the national permit. There is a different kind of permit provided by the government.
Why are National Permits needed?In order to conduct a film shoot in any location you desire, with a production crew, cast, and others, you must have a permit.
For shooting in different places in Nepal, you need a national permit, excluding heritage sites. The Ministry of Information and Technology issues a permit. For the normal permit, it would take around 7 working days. The government issues the permit. The production company will be able to shoot in Nepal. The location must be clarified before the shoot. A mandatory from the Ministry is also appointed to monitor the shooting.
Ministry of Information and Technology: https://mocit.gov.np/
Why are permits needed for heritage sites?
Heritage of Nepal is directly under the Department of Archeology. This gives the authority to shoot in heritage sites. Without a permit, the shooting equipment cannot enter the heritage site.
For filming on the heritage site, we have to acquire permits from the archeology ministry. Patan durbar square, Kathmandu durbar square, Bhaktapur durbar square, swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Lumbini birthplace of the buddha are the heritage site of Nepal. These are places rich in culture and natural significance. Depending upon the requirements, it would take 10 working days to acquire the permit for filming in heritage sites. After the completion of the project, we have to provide the raw footage to the archeology ministry.
Drone permits in heritage sites:
Drones have to be registered on the Civil Aviation Authority Network (CAAN) to be used on the heritage site. Permits need to be obtained from the Department of Archaeology and the Civil Aviation Ministry. Most importantly the drone specification has to be specified. A drone operator license is a must need
Department of Archaeology: doa.gov.np
Why are permits needed for the National Conservation Park?National conservation parks are directly under the National Trust for Nature Conservation. This organization gives authority for filming in all the national parks and conservation areas. A shooting crew with equipment cannot enter the conservation park without a ermit.
Following the acquisition of National permits from the Ministry of Information and Technology. We need to apply further to the National Conservation Trust. Filming locations have to be specified and a tax has to be paid to the National Conservation Trust. The location is Sagarmatha national park, Chitwan national park, Langtang national park, Rara national park, Khaptad national park, Shey Phoksondo national park, Bardiya national park, Makalu Barun national park, Shivpuri national park, Bake national park, Shulkaphanta national park, Parsa national park. The department also appoints a liaison officer for the shooting. After completing the project we have to prove the raw footage to the department.
National Conservation Park with the drone:
we have to acquire permits from the Civil aviation ministry, and the drone has to be registered on the CAAN. Most importantly the drone specification has to be clarified, a drone operator license is a must need.
The national trust for Nature Conservation: https://www.ntnc.org.np/