Things to know before applying for a Film Permit for National Parks in Nepal.

Applying for a National Park Film Permit in Nepal? Here is what you need to know:

A. List of National Parks in Nepal:

1. Banke National Park
2. Bardiya National Park
3. Chitwan National Park
4. Khaptad National Park
5. Langtang National Park
6. Makalu Barun National Park
7. Parsa National Park
8. Rara National Park
9. Sagarmatha National Park
10. Shey-Phoksundo National Park
11. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
12. Shukla Phanta National Park

B. Application Process

Before applying for a Film Permit in Nepal, make sure to get in touch with a reliable Local Co-ordinator/Fixer! Once the Local Co-ordinator/Fixer is appointed, they will apply for a National Film Permit from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Once the application process has been initiated, the Local Co-ordinator/Fixer in Nepal will then apply for a Film Permit specifically for any (or all) of the above mentioned National Parks through the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation Area.

C. Document Checklist for National Park Film Permit in Nepal

Prior to the Film Permit application, you must make sure that the documents listed below are in order and sent to the Local Co-ordinator/Fixer in Nepal. Please note that failure to present any of the following documents will cause a delay and potentially rejection of the Permit Application process.

1. Synopsis: This should include a brief detail of the overall production concept.
2. Assignment/Authorization Letter: This letter should mention the fixer to be appointed as the local coordinator for permit application on behalf of the filming crew/company.
3. Passport Scans: Scanned copies of the passports of all the foreign crew members traveling to Nepal.
4. Itinerary: Brief schedule of production with location details starting from the arrival date to the date of departure.
5. Equipment List: List of equipment to be brought in with serial numbers and price of each equipment.
6. Travel Itinerary: Travel Ticket/Details for arrival and departure of the entire crew.
7. Film Permit application form: Signed and Stamped film application form(attached in this email).
8. Agreement Contract: A signed contract between the local coordinator and the filming team for the services to be provided.

D. Liaison Officer

Liaison officers are monitoring officers mandated by the Ministry of Communication and Department of National Park. The applicant is required to pay the officers a daily allowance and cover all the travel and accommodation costs for the entire project. They will be present during the entire shoot.

E. National Park Film Permit Fee and Charges

The department of National Park and Conservation Areas in Nepal mandates a fee of $1,500 for foreign nationals planning to film in the National Park region. An additional 25% is levied for drone/aerial Film Permit in the National Parks. Other costs include, the National Film Permit fee and the daily allowance, travel and accommodation for the Liaison Officers appointed by both the Ministry of Communication and the Department of National Park and Conservation Areas.

F. Additional Information

It takes about 2-3 weeks for the Film Permit application process to complete, hence, it is suggested that you plan ahead of time keeping the Permit application duration in mind. The sooner the better as there can be unforeseen delays at the Government offices in Nepal.

The applicant must understand that there are no shortcuts when it comes to filming in National Parks in Nepal as these are highly regulated areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the Nepal Army, Defense Ministry, Forest Ministry and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.