Asia
Nepal
CAAN — Unmanned Aircraft System Requirements
Nepal has a complex, layered system: besides basic CAAN registration, a Ministry of Home Affairs clearance is almost always needed too, and for mountain/trekking areas separate permits from park authorities are required.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
For Everest, CAAN + MoHA clearance + a specific Sagarmatha National Park permit are needed; for Annapurna, CAAN + MoHA + an ACAP permit are needed. Flying without these permits, even with valid CAAN registration, is a violation: fines up to 50,000 NPR, confiscation and possible blacklisting from future permits.
The official CAAN document indicates 100 m as the standard operating condition, but several 2024-2026 sources cite 120m: the exact current value is not confirmed with certainty.
Every drone must be registered with CAAN (initial cost ~50 USD + VAT), certificate issued within 2-3 working days.
No specific licence requirement emerged for recreational pilots/tourists, beyond registration and permits.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Online registration portal with frequent downtime reported in 2026; alternatively, applications can be submitted in person at the FSSD office in Kathmandu.
Last checked: 2026-08
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Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Nepal, the official reference remains Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Every drone must be registered with CAAN (initial cost ~50 USD + VAT), certificate issued within 2-3 working days.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). No specific licence requirement emerged for recreational pilots/tourists, beyond registration and permits.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.