Drone Permission in Nepal: Complete Guide to CAAN Registration & National Park Permits (2026)

Drone Permission in Nepal: Complete Guide to CAAN Registration & National Park Permits (2026)
If you are planning to fly a drone in Nepal for filming, tourism, research, mapping, or commercial projects, you must obtain proper approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and other concerned authorities.

Drone operation in Nepal is strictly regulated. This guide explains everything you need to know about:
-Drone registration process in Nepal
-Required documents for CAAN registration
-National park drone permits
-All authorities involved
-Processing time (often within 3 days for registration)
-Important rules & restricted zones
Step 1: Drone Registration with CAAN (Mandatory):
Before flying any drone in Nepal, it must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
After successful registration, CAAN issues a Unique Identification Number (UIN), which must be clearly displayed on your drone.
Required Documents for CAAN Drone Registration
-For Nepalese Citizens / Companies:
-Citizenship certificate or passport copy
-Company registration certificate (if company-owned)
-Drone serial number & model photo
-Drone specification/manual
-VAT bill (if purchased in Nepal)
-Customs clearance certificate (if imported)
-Application form & commitment letter
-Registration fee payment
-Insurance (mandatory for drones above 2kg)

For Foreign Nationals:
-Passport copy with valid Nepal visa
-Customs declaration at airport
-Drone serial number photo
-Application form
-Purpose of use letter
-Registration fee
🕒 Processing Time:
Drone registration is usually completed within 2–3 working days if all documents are correctly submitted.

Step 2: Flight Permission (Per Location Approval)
Registration alone does NOT allow you to fly anywhere.
For actual operation, you must obtain:
1. Local District Administration Office (DAO) approval
2. Security clearance (if required)
3. National Park permit (if flying inside protected areas)
4. Additional approval if flying near airports or restricted zones

Drone Flying in National Parks & Conservation Areas
If you plan to fly inside protected areas, you must obtain permission from the concerned authority under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).
Major protected areas include:
• Sagarmatha National Park
• Chitwan National Park
• Annapurna Conservation Area
• Langtang National Park
• Rara National Park
Required for National Park Drone Permit:
• CAAN UIN certificate
• Detailed purpose letter
• Flight location map
• Flight date & time schedule
• Copy of passport/citizenship
• Park entry permit
• Applicable permit fees
⚠️ Drone flying without park permission can result in heavy fines, equipment seizure, or legal action.

Authorities Involved in Drone Permission (Nepal)
Depending on your location and purpose, the following authorities may be involved:
• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Registration & airspace control)
• District Administration Office (CDO Office)
• Nepal Police / local security agencies
• Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation
• Nepal Army (in sensitive zones)

Restricted & Sensitive Areas (No-Fly or Special Clearance Required)
Drone flying is prohibited or restricted in:
• Around international airports (e.g., Tribhuvan International Airport)
• Military barracks & army zones
• Government buildings
• Border areas
• Security-sensitive installations
• Over dense public gatherings
• UNESCO heritage sites without special permission

General Drone Flight Rules in Nepal (2026)
• Maximum altitude: Typically 200–400 feet AGL (depending on category)
• Always maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
• No night flying without special approval
• No flying over crowds
• Respect privacy laws
• Drone must carry visible UIN
• Insurance mandatory for heavier drones
• Commercial filming requires additional permissions

Drone Categories (General Classification)
Drones are typically categorized by weight:
• Below 250g (micro)
• 250g–2kg
• 2kg–25kg
• Above 25kg (special category)
Higher weight = stricter documentation and insurance requirements.

Estimated Overall Timeline (If All Documents Ready)
Process Approximate Time
CAAN Registration 2–3 working days
District Approval 1–3 days
National Park Permit 1–5 days
Total Preparation Time 3–7 working days
For large filming projects, allow at least 1–2 weeks for full clearance.