Filming in Nepal requires clearance from multiple government authorities, depending on the nature and location of a production including cultural heritage sites, national parks, drone airspace, and the import of production equipments. Icefall Productions amanages this entire process on behalf of the client, serving a single point of contact rather than requiring the production team to coordinate independently with several government departments.
Our process begins with a full assessments of the production’s requirements locations, ariel work, equipment, and crew size followed by submission of the appropriate applications to the relevant authorities, in the correct sequence. We continue to follow up with each office until every permit is confirmed and formally issued, not merely submitted
Who This Is For
What’s Included
Nepal requires a national filming permit for any commercial, documentary, or narrative production, issued through the Department of Information and coordinated with the Nepal Tourism Board depending on the nature of the shoot. Aerial work requires separate approval from Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN). We file both applications in parallel wherever possible, so ground and aerial units are not held to separate timelines.
Nepal’s national parks, conservation areas, and certain restricted zones fall under separate authorities from general filming permits, each with distinct entry fees, escort requirements, and seasonal access rules. We manage direct applications with park wardens and conservation offices, including arrangements for any mandatory ranger escort.
Importing camera, lighting, or drone equipment into Nepal for a temporary shoot requires either an ATA Carnet or a locally arranged temporary import bond. We prepare the customs documentation prior to shipment, coordinate with airport customs on arrival, and manage the re-export documentation to avoid delays on departure.
Many locations monasteries, village squares, privately owned heritage buildings, agricultural land require direct permission from the community or property owner in addition to any government permit. We negotiate access terms directly, in the local language, before a location is confirmed for the shoot.
How It Works
Assessment of locations, ariel requirements, equipment, and crew size
Applications submitted to the relevant authorities, in the sequence that avoids one delay blocking another.
Direct follow-up with each office until approvals are confirmed in writing.
Permits, translated where necessary, remain with the production team for the duration of the shoot.
FAQ
Timelines vary by permit type, location, and season, so there isn’t one fixed number. Because national park and multi-agency approvals typically take longer than a straightforward city permit, we review your shoot dates and locations early and build the permit timeline directly into your production schedule.
Yes. Drone filming requires clearance from Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) in addition to any standard filming permit, and requirements differ depending on whether the drone is foreign-registered or locally sourced. We handle both applications together so aerial shoot days aren’t held up waiting on one or the other.
Yes access to national parks and conservation areas is one of the more involved parts of the process, and we manage it directly with park authorities, including any required ranger or escort arrangements.
We can file amendments or supplementary applications for new locations, though adding sites mid-schedule generally takes longer than including them in the original scope. Where possible, flag back-up or optional locations to us upfront.
Your Vision. Our Craft.
Tell us a bit about your project whether it’s a feature film, commercial, documentary, or high-altitude shoot and we’ll get back to you soon.