Filming Permit in Nepal

How to acquire Filming Permit in Nepal

Nepal has always been a filming destination for foreign filmmakers and media professionals. The diverse geography of the nation lends itself to abundant untapped stories that both national and international filmmakers seek to explore. The government claims to have been working to promote the nation as the ultimate filming destination but at the same time the government, in order to preserve the local culture and tradition, enforces certain location specific restrictions. This is a simple act by the government to avoid exploitation and misrepresentation of the local communities. 

The government has imposed the following types of Filming Permits for any and all filmmaking and media personnels visiting Nepal: 

1. Custom Clearance in Nepal
2. National Filming Permit in Nepal
3. Heritage Area Filming Permit in Nepal
4. National Park and Conservation Area Filming Permit in Nepal
5. Liaison Officer 
6. Aerial/Drone Filming Permit in Nepal

The government has recently made provisions to apply for all the permits from just one government office as opposed to earlier when the traveller would have to go to permit specific offices. However, the applicants must go through local coordinators, mainly a local line production company, and authorize that company to proceed with the dealings on behalf of the applicant. The company then submits all the necessary application documents to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Below is the list of all the necessary application documents: 

1. Synopsis
2. Assignment Letter/Authorization Letter
3. Proof of ID (Passport, citizenship, driving Licence etc) 
4. Travel Itinerary 
5. Filming Itinerary 
6. List of equipment 
7. Film Permit Application Form 

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology then verifies the documents and appoints a Liaison officer along with the permit. The Liaison Officer also popularly known as the monitoring/censor officer, has to be present during the shoot. The Liaison officer is responsible for On Location Censorship and preparing a detailed report of the shoot along with a copy of the footage which he then submits to the government for record keeping. The filmmaker/media personnel is responsible for the travel and accommodation of the Liaison officer. 

Since a lot of filmmakers/media personnels visiting Nepal have dodged the permit application process in the past, the government has started issuing copyright acts against them and has made stricter rules that entail an annual check. 

Usually, the application process takes 5-10 working days. 

As for the Aerial Filming Permit, The Ministry of Defense and The Department of Civil Aviation, has to provide a permission letter for any and all Aerial Filming and Drone Operation. The Ministry of Defense appoints an additional Liaison Officer who is solely responsible to monitor any and all Aerial Filming. 

The Department of National Park and Conservation Area has to provide permission for any and all filming done under the jurisdiction of national parks and conservation areas. These areas are more protected since they include endangered flora and fauna, hence, the department is responsible for making sure the filming does not affect them in any way.