Nepa~laya Productions acts as your local production contact/fixer. We obtain all the necessary permits required to legally film in Nepal. It is highly recommended to obtain legal permits as film permits are required per Nepali law.
To obtain permits, you will need to provide the following documents to us:
i) Authorization Letter (Local Crew Filming): This letter confirms that we are authorized by you to deal with the authorities on your behalf. Please provide a letter on your company letterhead.
ii) Documents: Synopsis of the documentary /objectives of the program.
iii) Crew Member List: Name list, passport numbers, positions, arrival and departure dates of the foreign film crew with bio-data.
iv) Itinerary: Schedule of filming in Nepal, location, and dates.
v) Equipment List: List of equipment that would be brought in Nepal with its USD value.
Stages of Getting Permits in Nepal (steps we will be doing on your behalf)
Step 1: Visit the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, submit the registration for the permit by the Fixer, and obtain a letter from the ministry to submit to the relevant organization.
Required Documents: Application Form, Synopsis, List of Equipment to be brought into Nepal, List of Visiting Crew, Itinerary, Passport copies of the crew, Authorization Letter)
(If the documents are incomplete the official will return them, and they need to be resubmitted with proper/missing items.)
Step 2: Visit various government agencies to acquire permits, such as:
Department of Archeology (for permission to film in historical and archaeological sites, including monumental areas of the world heritage site in Kathmandu Valley.)
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (for the permission to shoot in Chitwan National Park and other protected areas.)
Lumbini Development Trust (for the permission to film at the birthplace of Buddha)
Ministry of Home Affairs (for the permission to film in Dolpa and Mustang and for operating drone in the concerned area)
Civil Aviation Authority (for permission for aerial filming and airline operations.)
Ministry of Defense (for the permission to film in Restricted Areas and other concerned cases)
Nature Trust for Nature Conservation (for permission to film in Annapurna, Manasalu, Gaurishankar Conservation Area.)
Step 3: Visit the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology: Submit all the documents, and pay Rs. 15,000 (approximately $150) for the permit and to obtain a letter from the Film Development Board.
Step 4: Visit the Film Development Board and receive a letter from the board to submit to the customs office.
Step 5: The letter from the film development board along with the filming permit and list of equipment to be brought in by the visiting crew with the value in US$ will be submitted to the Department of Customs. A letter to the customs office of the entry port will be issued. The Fixer will send you the customs letter, you can show this letter to customs officials to bring your equipment into the country on a temporary basis.