As of 18th December 2021, the department of Immigration in Nepal has eased travel restrictions. People of all nationalities entering Nepal need to show a copy of their full vaccinnation certificates or a negative PCR test report to enter and exit the country. No PCR tests or hotel quarantine are required to enter or exit Nepal as of today’s date.
It takes around 15 work days to secure filming permits in Nepal. The filming permit is provided by the Ministry of Information and Communication. If you plan to film inside a National Park, Conservation Area or a restricted zone, the application will be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs as well. If the film crew intends to use drones, then approval is also needed from the Ministry of Defense and Department of Civil Aviation in Kathmandu. While applying for the filming permits, film companies need to send the following paperwork:
  • Letter of application
  • Letter of Authorisation stating that your Nepal fixer company has the authority to apply for film permits on your behalf
  • Name list, passport numbers and nationalities of all crew members
  • Passport copies of all crew members
  • A short film synopsis, minimum half page
  • Schedule of the filming with locations
  • Kit list of the camera gear with an estimated price
  • A separate application for filming with drones
  • Photo of the bar code and serial number on your drone
  • Specifications of the drone
  • A short bio of the drone operator
The fees for Film permits in Nepal depends on the region where the filming has been planned. A regular filming permit will cost 15000 NPR. If the filming is inside a national park or a conservation area, there is an additional 1875USD to pay. There are two restricted areas in Nepal and they are the Upper Mustang and Dolpo region in western Nepal. To film inside these regions, companies need to pay a special fee of 5000 USD on top of all the other fees. In addition, there will be government Liaison officers from the Ministry of Information and Communication. Each of these government minders need to be paid an additional daily fee for the duration of the filming and the film company also has to secure their logistics during the entire trip. For filming with drones, the drones need to be registered under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal prior to filming.
Yes, you can film on a tourist visa once you acquire the FIlming permit from the Ministry of Information and Communication. Filmmakers also have the option of applying for a Journalist visa or a Work visa but that takes at least 3 weeks to secure and is not mandatory for filming in Nepal.
No, you can come to Nepal and get our visit/tourist visa on arrival. The tourist visas can be granted for either 7 days or 15 days or 1 months or 3 months.
When you receive a Filming Permit, you also receive a Custom Clearance paper for all your camera gear that allows you to easily bring in all your filming equipment into Nepal.
Yes, there are a number of professional camera and audio operators in Nepal that have worked for international crews. A week’s advance notice is ideal but there is always a possibility to secure local crews even at the last minute.
Yes, there are a number of filming cameras that can be rented in Kathmandu. One can find cine cameras like the ARRI or ANTON and also other cameras like the RED cameras. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are the more commonly rented cameras.
Nepal is 5h45 ahead of the GMT.
From horses and yaks to 4x4s and choppers, all modes of transportation can be easily arranged for a crew to get from one point to the other. In addition, there are 45 domestic airports in Nepal that help to shuttle passengers back and forth from Kathmandu.
The spring months of April and May can be paired with the autumn months of September and October for the best temperatures and easy access all over the country. However, the monsoon months of July and August come with their challenges but are the prettiest times in the himalayas in terms of color and natural diversity.
The latest forex rates are regularly updated here by the Nepal government https://www.nrb.org.np/forex/
Travellers can carry bank notes in cash not exceeding 5000 US dollars or equivalent while entering Nepal. Any sum more than that in cash or travel cheques need to be declared at the customs upon arrival.