Documents Needed to Register a Company in Nepal (Checklist 2026)
If you are researching how to register a company in Nepal, documents are the single biggest factor that decides speed, cost, and approval success.
Most foreign companies face delays not because of policy barriers, but because of incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrectly prepared documents.
This 2026-ready guide gives you the most authoritative, practical checklist for company registration in Nepal. It is written specifically for foreign founders, overseas directors, and international businesses entering Nepal.
By the end, you will know exactly:
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What documents are legally required
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Which documents must be notarised or apostilled
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What changes for foreign-owned companies
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How to avoid common rejection points at the Office of Company Registrar
Why Documents Matter When Registering a Company in Nepal
Nepal follows a document-driven incorporation system.
Every application is reviewed manually by regulators.
A missing page or mismatched name can delay registration by weeks.
For foreign companies, document scrutiny is even tighter due to:
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Foreign Investment approval requirements
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Anti-money laundering checks
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Beneficial ownership disclosures
Getting the paperwork right is the fastest way to register smoothly.
Overview: How to Register a Company in Nepal (Document Perspective)
At a high level, company registration involves four authorities:
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Office of the Company Registrar (OCR)
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Department of Industry (for foreign investment)
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Inland Revenue Department
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Local ward office or municipality
Each authority requires specific documents, often overlapping but not identical.
Core Documents Required to Register Any Company in Nepal
These documents apply to all companies, local or foreign.
1. Application for Company Registration
This is submitted online through the OCR portal.
Includes:
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Proposed company name
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Company type
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Registered office address
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Share capital structure
2. Memorandum of Association (MOA)
The MOA defines:
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Company objectives
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Authorised share capital
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Shareholding structure
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Liability of shareholders
Objectives must be precise.
Overly broad objectives often trigger revisions.
3. Articles of Association (AOA)
The AOA governs internal management:
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Director powers
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Board meetings
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Share transfers
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Dividend rules
For foreign companies, governance clauses are closely reviewed.
4. Citizenship or Passport Copies
Required for:
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All shareholders
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All directors
Foreign nationals must submit passport copies, not national IDs.
5. Registered Office Address Proof
Accepted documents include:
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Lease agreement
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Ownership certificate
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Landlord consent letter
Virtual offices are not accepted for incorporation.
Additional Documents for Foreign-Owned Companies
Foreign companies must submit extra compliance documents.
6. Foreign Investment Application
Required under Nepal’s foreign investment regime.
Includes:
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Investment amount
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Business sector
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Ownership percentage
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Funding source
7. Board Resolution of Foreign Parent Company
Mandatory if:
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A foreign company is the shareholder
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A foreign entity is investing
The resolution must approve:
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Investment in Nepal
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Appointed local director or representative
8. Certificate of Incorporation (Foreign Company)
Issued by the home country authority.
Must be:
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Notarised
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Apostilled or embassy-attested
9. Company Charter or Constitution (Foreign Entity)
Confirms:
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Legal existence
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Authority to invest overseas
Must match details in the board resolution.
Notarisation, Apostille, and Attestation Requirements
This is where many foreign companies get stuck.
When Apostille Is Required
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Documents issued outside Nepal
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Countries that are Hague Convention members
When Embassy Attestation Is Required
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Countries not part of the Hague Convention
Documents Commonly Requiring Attestation
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Foreign company incorporation certificate
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Board resolutions
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Power of attorney
Incorrect attestation is a common rejection reason.
Power of Attorney (POA): When and Why It’s Needed
A POA is required if:
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Directors are not physically present in Nepal
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A consultant or representative files documents
POA must:
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Clearly define authority
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Be notarised and attested
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Match passport details exactly
Document Checklist by Company Type
| Company Type | Key Documents | Complexity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Local Private Limited | MOA, AOA, citizenship copies | Low |
| Foreign-Owned Pvt Ltd | All core + FDI documents | High |
| Branch Office | Parent documents + approvals | High |
| Liaison Office | Approval letters only | Medium |
Insight:
Foreign-owned private limited companies face the highest document scrutiny.
Common Mistakes That Delay Company Registration
Avoid these frequent errors:
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Mismatch between passport names and forms
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Objectives not aligned with investment sector
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Missing apostille or incorrect notarisation
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Incorrect share capital figures
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Using residential addresses without consent letters
Even one mistake can reset the review cycle.
Estimated Timeline Based on Document Readiness
| Document Status | Estimated Registration Time |
|---|---|
| Fully compliant | 10–15 working days |
| Minor corrections | 3–5 weeks |
| Major document issues | 6–10 weeks |
Preparation saves more time than follow-ups.
Supporting Documents After Incorporation
Once registered, you will also need:
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PAN/VAT registration documents
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Bank account opening forms
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Local ward registration
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Employment compliance documents
Many founders overlook post-registration paperwork.
Legal Basis and Compliance References
This checklist aligns with:
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Companies Act 2006
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Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019
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Industrial Enterprises Act 2020
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Inland Revenue Department guidelines
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Office of Company Registrar directives
These laws define documentation standards applied in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
1. What documents are needed to register a company in Nepal?
You need an application form, MOA, AOA, ID documents, address proof, and foreign investment approvals if applicable.
2. Can a foreigner register a company in Nepal?
Yes. Foreigners can register companies but must submit additional investment and attested documents.
3. Do documents need to be notarised?
Yes. Foreign documents must be notarised and apostilled or embassy-attested.
4. How long does document verification take?
If documents are correct, verification usually takes 7–10 working days.
5. Can I register a company in Nepal remotely?
Yes. With a properly attested power of attorney, physical presence is not required.
Conclusion: How to Register a Company in Nepal Without Document Delays
Understanding how to register a company in Nepal starts with understanding documents.
For foreign companies, paperwork is not a formality. It is the process.
A complete, compliant checklist:
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Reduces approval time
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Avoids repeated rejections
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Ensures long-term compliance
If you want registration done right the first time, document preparation matters more than speed.
Call to Action
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