If you are researching company registration in Nepal, you want numbers you can use. This guide gives a full pricing breakdown. It covers government fees, professional charges, disbursements, and ongoing costs. It also explains what drives each line item and how to avoid avoidable spend. Everything is organized for foreign investors and cross-border teams.
All amounts are in Nepalese Rupees (NPR). USD figures are approximations for budgeting. Actual fees vary by authorized capital, activity, and city-level taxes.
This section shows typical all-in budgets for the three common entry routes. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
One-off setup: NPR 120,000–320,000 (≈ USD 900–2,500).
Initial disbursements: NPR 15,000–60,000 for notarization, translations, stamps, and bank charges.
Year-1 compliance & accounting: NPR 180,000–360,000 depending on activity and volume.
Timeline: 3–6 weeks after documents are ready.
One-off setup: NPR 180,000–420,000.
Initial disbursements: NPR 25,000–70,000.
Year-1 compliance: NPR 220,000–420,000.
Timeline: 4–7 weeks, assuming timely approvals.
One-off setup: NPR 150,000–300,000.
Initial disbursements: NPR 20,000–50,000.
Year-1 compliance: NPR 160,000–280,000.
Timeline: 4–6 weeks.
Why the ranges? Fees change with authorized capital, sector, FDI approvals, translations, and city-level levies. Your volumes and payroll also influence accounting costs.
Authorized share capital slabs. OCR registration fees scale with capital brackets. Start lean, then increase later.
FDI route vs non-FDI. FDI adds approval and banking steps. That increases both time and disbursements.
Entity choice. Branch and liaison offices require extra approvals and renewals.
Translations & notarization. Foreign documents often need certified translations and legalization.
Accounting complexity. More invoices, payroll, and imports lead to higher monthly service effort.
Tax registrations. VAT adds filings; PAN alone is simpler.
City-level items. Signboard tax and municipal fees vary by location.
Basis in law: Companies Act 2063 (2006); Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA) 2019; Labor Act 2017; Social Security Act 2017; Income Tax Act 2058; VAT Act 2052; relevant rules and directives.
Name reservation: nominal fee.
Incorporation filing: fee scales by authorized capital slab.
Stamp duty and document fees: small but material for multiple signatories.
Planning range: NPR 10,000–45,000 for typical capital levels.
Industrial approval/registration: charged at filing stage.
Share purchase or technology transfer filings: where relevant.
Post-approval updates: if terms change.
Planning range: NPR 10,000–40,000 in government fees, plus translations.
Approval and registration charges apply before operational registrations.
Periodic renewals may carry renewal fees.
Planning range: NPR 20,000–60,000.
PAN: no fee.
VAT: no fee, but inspection or site verification can add minor costs.
Social Security Fund (SSF): no fee to register; contributions apply once payroll starts.
Labor office registration: nominal fees.
Planning range: NPR 0–10,000 total for stamps, attestations, and photos.
Signboard tax: depends on size and ward.
Company seals: small one-time cost.
Bank charges: for capital remittance and certificates.
Planning range: NPR 5,000–25,000.
These are market ranges for experienced corporate service providers. Your actual quote depends on scope and SLAs.
Scope: entity strategy, document drafting, filings, stakeholder coordination.
Range: NPR 80,000–220,000 (subsidiary); 120,000–280,000 (branch/liaison).
Scope: PAN/VAT filings, payroll policy, SSF setup, templates, and training.
Range: NPR 30,000–90,000.
Scope: minutes, statutory registers, resolutions, filing calendar.
Range: NPR 60,000–180,000 per year.
Scope: bookkeeping, bank recs, monthly/quarterly returns, annual financials.
Range: NPR 12,000–45,000 per month for light activity SMEs.
Note: Import/export or high-volume invoicing costs more.
Document translations and legalization
Certified translations for foreign documents.
Range: NPR 8,000–35,000 per set.
Work visas and permits (for expatriates)
Professional fees only; government fees separate.
Range: NPR 60,000–150,000 per principal applicant.
Sector licenses
For regulated activities (e.g., healthcare, education, financial services).
Fees and timelines vary by regulator.
HR documentation
Employment agreements, handbook, and policy set.
Range: NPR 30,000–120,000 depending on customization.
The table compares typical planning ranges for a straightforward setup.
| Cost/Factor | Private Limited (Subsidiary) | Branch Office | Liaison Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government fees (setup) | 10,000–45,000 | 20,000–60,000 | 20,000–60,000 | Capital slabs affect company route |
| Professional fees (setup) | 80,000–220,000 | 120,000–280,000 | 100,000–240,000 | Scope and SLA driven |
| Disbursements | 15,000–60,000 | 25,000–70,000 | 20,000–50,000 | Banks, stamps, translations |
| Year-1 compliance retainer | 180,000–360,000 | 220,000–420,000 | 160,000–280,000 | Accounting + secretarial |
| Timeline (weeks) | 3–6 | 4–7 | 4–6 | After documents ready |
| FDI approval required? | If foreign shareholding | Usually N/A for branch, but approvals apply | Yes, as representative office | Check sector rules |
| Can trade/invoice locally? | Yes | Yes | No | Liaison cannot earn revenue |
| Tax registrations | PAN; VAT if needed | PAN; VAT if needed | PAN; no VAT | Depends on activity |
Kick-off and KYC. Collect passports, corporate docs, and addresses.
Name check and reservation. Choose alternatives to save time.
Constitutional documents. Draft MOA/AOA or board resolutions.
FDI approvals (if any). File applications and respond to queries.
Incorporation filing. Submit to OCR with fees and stamps.
PAN/VAT registration. Arrange inspections and bank letters if requested.
Bank account and capital remittance. Obtain certificates for compliance files.
Labor and SSF registrations. Activate only when payroll starts.
Accounting environment. Set up chart of accounts, templates, and calendars.
Operational go-live. Begin invoicing and vendor onboarding.
Cash-flow tip: Front-load only what is essential to reach bank account opening and PAN. Add optional spend later.
Bookkeeping & tax filings: NPR 12,000–45,000.
Payroll processing (per employee): NPR 1,500–3,500.
Registered address & secretarial: allocate monthly equivalent.
VAT returns (if applicable): included in retainer for low volume.
Annual financial statements and tax return: NPR 60,000–150,000 for SMEs.
Annual meeting/minutes and filing: NPR 15,000–45,000 including stamps.
Audit requirement: depends on thresholds and sector. Budget separately if needed.
Renewals for branch/liaison: calendar these early to avoid penalties.
IT and e-invoicing tools: modest monthly costs improve compliance quality.
Start with realistic authorized capital. Increase after go-live if needed.
Use standard bilingual templates. Reduce translation volume.
Batch filings. Combine visits and courier runs to cut disbursements.
Match VAT timing to revenue. Register when contracts require it.
Automate accounting. Bank feeds and invoice tools reduce man-hours.
Plan for inspections. Keep the office accessible with signage ready.
Over-capitalizing on day one. Higher capital increases bracketed fees.
Inconsistent names across documents. Triggers re-drafts and new stamps.
Late VAT registration when needed. Can block customer payments.
Ignoring liaison limits. A liaison cannot trade or invoice.
Skipping SSF once payroll starts. Penalties are avoidable with planning.
For straightforward, services-focused operations in Kathmandu.
Setup government fees: NPR 12,000–25,000
Professional setup fees: NPR 100,000–160,000
Disbursements: NPR 20,000–35,000
Monthly accounting & tax: NPR 15,000–25,000
Annual filings package: NPR 70,000–110,000
Year-1 total: NPR 350,000–600,000 (setup + run)
Setup government fees: NPR 20,000–45,000
Professional setup fees: NPR 160,000–260,000
Disbursements: NPR 35,000–60,000
Monthly accounting & tax: NPR 30,000–45,000
Annual filings package: NPR 110,000–160,000
Year-1 total: NPR 700,000–1,100,000
Setup government fees: NPR 20,000–50,000
Professional setup fees: NPR 120,000–220,000
Disbursements: NPR 20,000–50,000
Monthly compliance: NPR 12,000–20,000
Annual filings package: NPR 60,000–100,000
Year-1 total: NPR 350,000–700,000
1) What is the cheapest way to register a company in Nepal?
A private limited company with modest authorized capital is usually cheapest. Keep capital lean, reduce translations, and avoid VAT until needed.
2) How long does company registration take in Nepal?
Most straightforward cases complete in 3–6 weeks after documents are ready. FDI and branch/liaison routes add time.
3) Are there hidden fees in the process?
Hidden fees arise from re-drafts, extra translations, and courier repeats. Plan names carefully and batch filings to reduce these.
4) Do I need VAT at incorporation?
Register for VAT only if your customers require it or revenue model demands it. PAN alone is fine for many service firms.
5) What ongoing costs should I expect each year?
Budget for bookkeeping, tax returns, annual financials, and secretarial filings. For SMEs, plan NPR 200,000–400,000 yearly.