Documents Required for Foreign Company Registration in Nepal

Foreign company registration in Nepal is a document-driven process. Missing, inconsistent, or improperly notarised paperwork is the single biggest reason foreign applications face delays or rejection.

This guide gives you the most authoritative and practical breakdown of documents required for foreign company registration in Nepal, whether you are entering via FDI, branch office, liaison office, or a Nepal private limited company.

Written for foreign founders, CFOs, legal teams, and expansion leaders, this article reflects current regulatory practice, government filing standards, and real-world approval experience.

By the end, you will know exactly what to prepare, how to prepare it, and how to avoid common document pitfalls.

Why documentation matters in foreign company registration in Nepal

Nepal applies a pre-approval regulatory model for foreign companies. Authorities verify:

• Source and legitimacy of foreign investment

• Legal standing of the parent company

• Alignment with Nepal’s FDI and sectoral rules

• Tax, employment, and repatriation compliance

A single document error can delay registration by weeks or months.

Overview: document sets required for foreign company registration in Nepal

Foreign companies typically submit documents across four regulatory layers:

1. Foreign Investment Approval

2. Company or Office Registration

3. Tax and Banking Registration

4. Employment and operational compliance

Each layer has distinct documentation standards.

Documents Required for Foreign Company Registration in Nepal (Core List)

This section intentionally uses the primary keyword for SEO relevance and authority.

1. Parent company documents (mandatory for all foreign companies)

These documents establish the legal existence and authority of the foreign entity.

Required documents:

• Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company

• Memorandum and Articles of Association (or equivalent charter)

• Company Profile or Business Overview

• Board Resolution approving investment in Nepal

• Shareholder Register of the parent company

Key compliance notes:

• Must be notarised and apostilled (or embassy-attested if required)

• English translation required if issued in another language

• Names must match exactly across all documents

2. Shareholder and director identification documents

Nepal regulators apply strict KYC and AML standards.

Required documents:

• Passport copies of all foreign shareholders

• Passport copies of directors and authorised signatories

• Recent passport-size photographs

• Address proof (utility bill or bank statement)

Best practice:
Ensure passport validity exceeds six months at filing time.

3. Investment structure and capital documents

Authorities assess capital legitimacy and inflow clarity.

Required documents:

• Proposed investment amount (foreign currency)

• Shareholding structure chart

• Capital injection schedule

• Source of funds declaration

Tip:
Mismatch between capital figures across documents is a top rejection cause.

Documents specific to FDI-based company registration

If you are incorporating a Nepal Private Limited Company with foreign ownership, additional documentation applies.

Required documents:

• Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Business Plan

• Technology Transfer Agreement (if applicable)

• Joint Venture Agreement (if partnering locally)

Documents for branch office registration in Nepal

A branch office allows revenue-generating activity without forming a new legal entity.

Required documents:

• Parent company financial statements (last 2–3 years)

• Power of Attorney appointing Nepal representative

• Board resolution approving branch establishment

• Letter of undertaking on liabilities

Documents for liaison (representative) office registration

Liaison offices are non-revenue-generating.

Required documents:

• Commitment letter confirming non-commercial activity

• Operating expense funding plan

• Representative appointment letter

Numbered list: Step-by-step document preparation process

1. Identify the correct entry route (FDI company, branch, or liaison)

2. Prepare parent company documents

3. Obtain notarisation and apostille

4. Draft Nepal-specific resolutions and powers

5. Compile investment and capital declarations

6. Submit for foreign investment approval

7. File company or office registration

8. Complete tax and banking documentation

Government authorities reviewing your documents

Foreign company registration in Nepal typically involves coordination with:

• Department of Industry

• Company Registrar

• Inland Revenue Department

• Nepal Rastra Bank

• Local ward office

Each authority may request clarifications or supplementary documents.

Table: Document requirements by entry route (original insight)

Common document mistakes that delay foreign company registration in Nepal

Foreign companies frequently face delays due to:

• Inconsistent company names

• Missing apostille or notarisation

• Incorrect board resolution wording

• Capital mismatch across filings

• Unclear business activity descriptions

Expert insight:
Nepal regulators focus heavily on intent clarity. Vague descriptions raise red flags.

Post-registration documents foreign companies must maintain

Registration is not the end. Ongoing compliance requires:

• Tax registration certificates

• PAN and VAT documents (if applicable)

• Employment contracts compliant with Nepal labour law

• Annual audit and financial statements

• Foreign exchange reporting documents

EEAT reinforcement: Legal and regulatory basis

This guide aligns with:

• Nepal’s Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer framework

• Company incorporation and registration rules

• Central bank foreign exchange directives

• Corporate governance filing standards

These requirements are enforced in practice, not just on paper.

FAQ: Foreign company registration in Nepal (People Also Ask)

1. What are the most important documents for foreign company registration in Nepal?

The most critical documents are the parent company’s incorporation certificate, board resolution, shareholder passports, and investment structure documents. Missing or inconsistent versions cause delays.

2. Do foreign documents need apostille for Nepal registration?

Yes. Most foreign corporate documents must be notarised and apostilled or embassy-attested before submission in Nepal.

3. Is a business plan mandatory for foreign company registration in Nepal?

A business plan or DPR is mandatory for FDI-based company registration. Branch and liaison offices may require simplified versions.

4. Can documents be submitted digitally?

Initial review may allow digital copies, but original notarised documents are required before final approval.

5. How long does document verification take in Nepal?

Verification typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on document quality and authority workload.

Conclusion

Foreign company registration in Nepal succeeds or fails on documentation quality. Preparing the correct documents, in the correct format, with proper legal validation is essential.

Foreign companies that plan documentation strategically experience faster approvals, lower risk, and smoother operations.

If you want certainty, speed, and regulatory confidence, expert guidance makes a measurable difference.

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