Company registration in Nepal has become faster, more transparent, and largely digital thanks to the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) Nepal online portal.
For foreign companies exploring Nepal as a market, delivery hub, or outsourcing destination, understanding the OCR Nepal system is the first and most critical step.
This beginner’s guide explains how the company registration portal in Nepal works, what foreign investors need, common mistakes to avoid, and how to complete registration efficiently while staying compliant with Nepali law.
Whether you are setting up a private limited company, preparing for FDI approval, or evaluating Nepal as a South Asian base, this guide gives you clarity and confidence.
The Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) operates under Nepal’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
The OCR Nepal online portal is the official government platform used for:
Company name reservation
Company incorporation
Director and shareholder filings
Memorandum and Articles submission
Statutory updates and amendments
For anyone serious about company registration in Nepal, this portal is unavoidable.
Foreign companies often underestimate the importance of OCR compliance.
The OCR portal is not just a formality. It is the legal foundation of your Nepal presence.
Key reasons it matters:
It creates your company’s legal identity
Banks require OCR certificates to open accounts
FDI approval references OCR filings
Tax registration depends on OCR data
Non-compliance can invalidate contracts
In short, no OCR registration means no lawful business activity.
The OCR portal supports multiple company structures under the Companies Act, 2006.
Private Limited Company (most popular)
Public Limited Company
Not-for-Profit Company
Branch Office (via separate approvals)
Liaison Office (non-revenue activities only)
For most foreign investors, private limited company registration in Nepal is the recommended structure.
Company registration is not governed by the portal alone. It is backed by strong legislation.
Key laws include:
Companies Act, 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020
Income Tax Act, 2002
Using the OCR portal correctly ensures your registration aligns with all of these laws.
You must first register a user account on the OCR Nepal system.
You will need:
Email address
Contact details
Identity details of the applicant
This account becomes the single source of truth for all future filings.
Before incorporation, you must reserve a company name.
Name approval rules:
Must be unique
Must not resemble existing companies
Certain regulated words require approvals
Name reservation is done fully online and usually processed within 1–3 working days.
You will upload digital versions of:
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
Citizenship or passport copies
Shareholding structure
Foreign shareholders must submit notarised and apostilled documents.
Once documents are uploaded, the application is submitted through the OCR portal.
The system automatically calculates:
Government registration fees
Capital-based charges
This step legally initiates company registration in Nepal.
OCR officers review the submission.
They may:
Approve directly
Request clarifications
Reject incomplete filings
Timelines depend on document quality, not just portal speed.
Once approved, you receive:
Certificate of Incorporation
Company registration number
Digital records in the OCR system
Your company now legally exists in Nepal.
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | 1–3 working days |
| Document preparation | 3–7 working days |
| OCR review | 3–5 working days |
| Total duration | 7–15 working days |
Foreign-owned companies may take longer if FDI approvals are required in parallel.
Avoid these frequent errors:
Uploading unsigned documents
Using incorrect share capital figures
Mismatch between OCR and FDI filings
Choosing the wrong business objective
Assuming OCR equals FDI approval
OCR registration is necessary but not sufficient for foreign investment.
| Aspect | OCR Registration | FDI Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legal incorporation | Investment permission |
| Authority | Office of Company Registrar | Department of Industry |
| Mandatory | Yes | Yes for foreign capital |
| Sequence | First | Parallel or after OCR |
| Revenue activity | Not allowed without FDI | Permitted after approval |
Understanding this distinction prevents costly delays.
Foreign shareholders must provide additional documentation.
Typical requirements include:
Passport copies
Board resolution of parent company
Notarised shareholding declarations
Power of attorney
Investment commitment letter
All documents must align exactly with OCR portal data.
OCR fees depend on authorised capital.
Government fees range from:
NPR 1,000 for very small entities
Up to NPR 15,000+ for higher capital
Professional fees vary depending on complexity and foreign involvement.
Company registration is just the beginning.
After OCR approval, you must complete:
PAN and VAT registration
Bank account opening
FDI approval (if applicable)
Annual OCR filings
Shareholder and director updates
Non-compliance can lead to penalties and deregistration.
While the portal looks simple, foreign companies face hidden complexity.
Professional support helps with:
Structuring share capital correctly
Drafting compliant MOA and AOA
Coordinating OCR with FDI approvals
Avoiding rejections and delays
Long-term compliance planning
This reduces risk and saves time.
The OCR portal is suitable for:
Foreign startups entering Nepal
Outsourcing and IT companies
Consulting and professional services firms
Manufacturing and trading companies
Holding companies for South Asia
If Nepal is part of your growth strategy, OCR registration is unavoidable.
Nepal stands out due to:
English-language legal framework
Competitive labour costs
Strategic access to India and China
Growing digital government services
The OCR portal is a key part of this modernization.
Company registration in Nepal through the OCR Nepal portal is a structured, rule-based process designed to protect investors and promote transparency.
For foreign companies, success depends on:
Understanding legal requirements
Using the OCR portal correctly
Aligning OCR filings with FDI rules
Planning compliance beyond registration
With the right guidance, Nepal offers a stable and cost-effective entry point into South Asia.
Thinking about company registration in Nepal?
Speak with our Nepal market entry and FDI specialists to ensure your OCR registration, FDI approval, and compliance are handled correctly from day one.
👉 Book a free consultation today and start your Nepal expansion with confidence.
Yes. All companies must register through the OCR portal to obtain legal status in Nepal.
Yes, but foreign investment requires additional FDI approval alongside OCR registration.
Typically 7–15 working days, depending on document readiness and approvals.
No. Foreign-owned companies must complete FDI and tax registrations first.
Yes. Director changes, share transfers, and amendments are filed through the same portal.