Drone Laws in Nepal 2026: Where You Can and Cannot Fly

Drone Laws in Nepal are very important for those travel enthusiasts who want to capture the stunning landscape, tropical jungles, pristine lakes, alpine valleys, and snow-capped mountain peaks from a bird’s eye view.

Nepal offers some of the most spectacular aerial photography opportunities in the world but before launching your drone, you should follow the government’s strict rules and regulations. Nepal drone regulation 2026 ensures public safety, protects sensitive locations, and prevents interference with aviation operations.

No matter what type of travel interest you have, whether it’s trekking, filming a travel documentary, or capturing stunning vacation footage, you should know about the latest drone rules that can help you avoid fines, equipment confiscation, and unnecessary travel disruptions in 2026.

In this guide, we’ll break down the essential Drone Laws in Nepal for 2026 from flying or no-flying zones along with required permits, to practical tips for flying legally and responsibly.

Can I bring Drone to Nepal?

Yes, you can bring drones to Nepal. As of 2026, bringing a drone is legal but you must have a drone flying permit and follow proper procedure and rules regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

As we all know that the airspace of Nepal is quite unique, you will witness helicopters constantly flying for medical evacuation for those who suffered from altitude sickness or carrying cargo and visitors in remote regions like Khumbu and Manaslu.

Flying drones haphazardly in those regions, may result in the helicopter crash and to reduce this, Nepal Government made a policy of safely operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in April 2021. The other goals of Drone Laws in Nepal also include national security and respect for Cultural sites.

Drone Category in Nepal 2026

Before learning about rules and regulation of Drone laws in Nepal 2026, let’s learn about the drone categories based on their Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW). CAAN has categorized drones rules into four according to the type, weight and risk level and they are given below:

DJI Mini drones are usually confiscated on the trail, as trekkers assume that the rules for under 250 gm rule so their home country applies in Nepal also. To fly, you need to have CAAN registration and a Unique Identification Number (UIN) no matter the size of your drone. In addition to this, your drone will only get registered in Nepal if it carry a CE marking or type approval certificate in 2026.

Flying Drone in Nepal: Rule and Laws

According to CAAN, flying drone in Nepal is legal with permit but we advise you to be aware of following Nepal’s drone rules and regulation:

• At first, visitors need to obtain permission to fly drones from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs, and CAAN Nepal. If you want to fly above 400 feet and your drone weighs more than 2 kgs and falls in Category C, it’s very important.
• Your drone must follow height restrictions like you cannot fly a drone higher than 100 meters above ground level and not farther than the horizontal distance of 500 meters from the location of the remote pilot.
• You should make sure that your drone will not fly near 30 meters to an unknown person and private property.

• It is restricted to fly drones near restricted areas like airport zones, government buildings, and sensitive locations.
• You are prohibited to operate two drones at once.
• Every drone should be registered with CAAN Nepal.
• You can not fly drones over the crowded areas or nearby private ceremonies.
• You are refrained from flying drones near fire, police, construction areas or vehicles.
• Foreigners can fly drones only after obtaining permits from CAAN.
• You should operate drones only in the areas which your eye can see.
• Your drone should not kill insects or other arthropods.

How to Register Drone in Nepal?

According to the Drone laws in Nepal, you should register your drones with Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) in 2026. Visitors must obtain permits for legal drone flights in Nepal from authorities like:

• The Department of Tourism,
• Ministry of Home Affairs, and
• CAAN Nepal.

You must have a document which shows model, weight, serial number, with your details of purchase receipts or invoices in order to register with CAAN. After registering you will get a unique identification number for your drone.

With this registration, you can use Drone for a year and after that you have to again renew the registration with CAAN. In addition to this, you need to also have a drone permit to fly in the airspace of Nepal.

In Nepal, the drone permit cost around USD 50 with 13 % VAT which you can pay via bank deposits or Connect IPS in 2026. Here is the detailed step which involved drone registration in Nepal:

CAAN Registration (UIN)

Drone owners should visit the flight safety standard department of CAAN which is located at Sinamangal, Kathmandu. You should carry documents like:

• Citizenship photocopy, Valid passport with Nepal visa, or company registration certificate.
• Photocopy of manual specification of drone and picture of clear color of drone with brand and serial number visibility.
• If you bought the drone in Nepal, bring retailers VAT bill or if imported bring a copy of custom clearance certificate.

All of your documents with the filled application form will be checked by authorized personnel. Then, you will get a registration certificate with a unique identification number (UIN) after 2 to 3 working days.

Drone Permits for Nepalese

If you are planning to fly a drone in Everest Base Camp or other trekking trails like Annapurna, Manaslu, and Upper Mustang, you will still need a drone permit even though you are Nepali citizen. You must submit documents with details like:

• Purpose of drone usage,
• Flight plans, and
• Proof of insurance coverage to the CAAN.

After getting approval and permits from CAAN, you can fly drones legally in Nepal. Still, you have to follow the rules of specific flight restrictions of Drone laws in Nepal.

Drone Permits for Foreigners

Foreigners must have a drone permit in order to fly drones legally in Nepal. You must visit the Ministry of communication and information technology first. Then, fill out the permit form along with documents like:

• Project summary and Itinerary
• Drone registration (temporary)
• Details of the crew you are filming along with their passport and list of camera gear.
• Company registration, tax clearance certificate with authorization letter of local travel agency.

Then, you have to wait for 2 to 3 days to get clearance from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. After 2 weeks, you will get clearance from the Ministry of Defense and have to visit the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Babarmahal. There you will pay some amount of money and all of your procedures get completed.

If you are planning to operate a drone in the Everest region in 2026, then you have to submit all the copy of above mentioned documents to the district administration office of Solukhumbu along with the air traffic control in Lukla via email.

•  Email: daosolukhumbu11@gmail.com
• Email: caanlukla@gmail.com

Then, you have to show all these documents received from DAO of Solu, ATC letter from Lukla with Departments of National Park and Wildlife Conservation at Namche’s National Park office to obtain a permit.

Altogether, you have to pay USD 1850 for a drone permit in these protected region whereas you have to pay around USD 100 to USD 300 for recreational permit.

Eligibility for Pilot

Drone laws in Nepal demand eligible pilots to receive remote licenses in 2026. The pilots will only be eligible if:

• He/she is above 18 years and completed their high school equivalent to 12 standard.
• Have remote pilot training course to operate drone as per PELR 6.33.12.3.2
• According to PELR 6.33.12.1.4, one must have enough medical fitness.
• Applicants should reconsider a decision related to the denial, suspension, revocation, modification, or conditioning of a license with CAAN.

 Remote Pilot License Form

When applying a remote pilot license form, you need to include details like:

• Flight crew license or air traffic control license for controlled aerodrome operation,
• Any aeronautical experience, military qualification equivalent to a flight crew license, aeronautical radio operator certificate
• Drone Operating Experience and training course in UAS operation.

No-Fly Zones and Restrictions

One of the most important aspects of understanding Drone Laws in Nepal is knowing the restricted zones or No-fly zones.

• Airports and airfields like Tribhuvan International Airport, Pokhara International Airport, and other regional domestic airports.
• Near military bases, army compounds, police facilities, or other security-sensitive locations.
• Government buildings and residences of high-ranking officials like PM or VP.
• UNESCO Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square.
• National Parks and Conservation Areas,
• International Border Areas,
• Maitighar Mandala.

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In Nepal, you cannot fly drones during night time and in low-visibility conditions.

Cost of Breaking the Drone Laws in Nepal

Ignoring Nepal’s drone regulations can result in serious consequences in 2026. If you are found breaching the Drone laws in Nepal, you have to face legal action, serious penalties, and seizing of your drones. You will even get arrested if you are found violating other privacy with other legal charges. The cost of breaking the drone laws in Nepal includes:

• Monetary fines ranging from NPR 25,000 to 100,000 if found flying without permit.
• Seizing of the drone
• Suspend permits
• Initiate legal proceedings
• Restrict future drone operations

You have to face severe penalties if found violating rules in airports, security installations,  or protected areas along with penalty of NPR 100,000 to 500,000+ and possible criminal charges.

It will cost you NPR 50,000 to 150,000 plus separate fines if found flying drones in heritage sites. If you’re found repeated violation, then, you have to pay NPR 100,000 to 500,000+.

Tips for Flying Drone Responsibly in Nepal

When flying drone in Nepal, visitors should fly responsibly in 2026. Following these tips help you have a memorable journey in Nepal:

• Always research local regulations before departure.
• Focus on registering your drone if required.
• Make sure you secure permits early.
• Always carry copies of approval documents during flights.
• Show respect to local communities and religious sites.
• Always check weather forecasts especially when flying in mountain regions like Everest or Annapurna.

• Do not disturb habitat of flora and fauna.
• Pack spare batteries and emergency landing plans ready.
• Always prioritize safety over capturing footage in remote regions of Nepal.
• Do not use drone to carry loads which causes danger to humans.
• Avoid flying drones under the influence of toxic substance like alcohol.

Final Verdict

From snow-covered Himalayan peaks to centuries-old cultural landmarks, Nepal offers a lot of aerial photography opportunities to visitors all around the world. However, every drone operators should follow Drones laws in Nepal to capture breathtaking footage of pristine Himalayan landscapes, lowlands, or alpine meadows in 2026.

Necessary permits and licenses, flying drones is legal in Nepal and you should also focus on respecting local laws, heritage sites, and environmental protections. If you follow above guidelines of Drone Laws in Nepal seriously, it will surely help you have a safe and enjoyable experience in Nepal.

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