Nepal
Nepal has no freedom of panorama, but its centuries-old temples and stupas are out of copyright; the real constraint is heritage permits and Kathmandu drone bans.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Department of Archaeology for World Heritage sites; site management for temples; no permit for personal photography
Cost: No permit for tourist photography; professional and commercial shoots at heritage sites need approval, and temples charge camera fees
Tourist photography needs no permit. Commercial work at Kathmandu Valley heritage sites needs Department of Archaeology approval. Avoid military and government sites.
Drone / airspace
Regulated by CAAN with Ministry of Home Affairs sign-off; the Kathmandu Valley is effectively a no-fly zone
For category detail, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes, broadly accepted; be culturally cautious at religious sites and with sadhus, who often expect a tip
Get consent for commercial publication of an identifiable person.
Freedom of panorama
Restricted (no freedom of panorama)
The Copyright Act 2002 has no panorama exception. Most iconic temple architecture is centuries old and out of copyright, which is the basis for selling those images, not a panorama defense.
Practical notes
- Pashupatinath bars non-Hindus from the main temple and restricts photography of cremation areas; Durbar Squares need Archaeology approval for commercial work.
- Carry your heritage entry tickets; some sites charge separate still and video camera fees.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: