Company registration in Nepal is often faster than foreign investors expect. Yet timelines vary widely based on structure, approvals, and documentation. If you are a foreign company planning market entry, understanding the realistic registration timeline helps you avoid delays, cost overruns, and regulatory frustration.
This guide explains how long it takes to register a company in Nepal, step by step. It is written specifically for foreign companies, investors, and founders who want clarity before committing capital. You will learn average timelines, legal stages, and practical tips to accelerate the process.
For foreign investors, time equals risk. Delays can affect:
Investment approvals
Hiring and payroll start dates
Bank account opening
Lease agreements
Tax registration and invoicing
Nepal allows foreign ownership under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA) 2019, but timelines depend on compliance accuracy and structure.
Before diving deeper, here is the high-level timeline most foreign companies experience:
Name reservation
Company incorporation
Foreign investment approval
Tax and VAT registration
Bank account and capital injection
Post-registration compliance
Each step has its own timeframe and approval authority.
| Stage | Authority | Average Time |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation | Office of Company Registrar (OCR) | 1–2 working days |
| Company Incorporation | OCR | 3–5 working days |
| FDI Approval | DOI or IBN | 7–30 days |
| PAN / VAT Registration | Inland Revenue Department | 1–2 days |
| Bank Account Opening | Commercial Bank | 3–7 days |
| Total Timeline | — | 15–45 days |
Timeline assumes complete and compliant documentation.
The process begins with reserving a company name through the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) online system.
Key points:
Names must be unique
Certain words require justification
Reservation is valid for 35 days
Delays occur when names resemble existing companies or regulated terms.
Once the name is approved, incorporation documents are submitted:
Memorandum of Association
Articles of Association
Shareholder details
Registered office address
For foreign companies, documents must align with Companies Act 2006.
With clean filings, incorporation is usually completed within five working days.
This is the most time-sensitive stage for foreign companies.
Approval authority depends on investment size:
Department of Industry (DOI): Investment below NPR 6 billion
Investment Board Nepal (IBN): Investment above NPR 6 billion
Documents include:
Investment proposal
Parent company documents
Board resolutions
Financial projections
Under FITTA 2019, approvals are legally time-bound, but practical timelines vary.
After incorporation, the company registers for:
PAN (Permanent Account Number)
VAT, if applicable
This is handled by the Inland Revenue Department.
Delays usually arise from mismatched incorporation and FDI details.
A Nepalese bank account is mandatory to bring in foreign capital.
Banks require:
FDI approval letter
OCR certificate
Tax registration documents
Once opened, capital must be remitted through formal banking channels per Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) regulations.
Registration does not end incorporation obligations.
Foreign companies must comply with:
Annual filings at OCR
Tax returns
SSF registration for employees
Audit requirements
Missing these steps does not delay registration, but causes future penalties.
| Structure | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (FDI) | 15–45 days | Most common structure |
| Branch Office | 30–60 days | Parent company approval needed |
| Liaison Office | 20–40 days | No revenue allowed |
| Project-Based Entity | 45–90 days | Sector-specific approvals |
Common delay triggers include:
Incomplete foreign documents
Improper notarization or legalization
Sector-restricted activities
Banking compliance reviews
Shareholding inconsistencies
Parent company constitutional documents
Investment source clarification
Here are proven ways to reduce registration time:
Prepare documents before name reservation
Use Nepal-compliant MoA and AoA
Pre-clear sector eligibility
Coordinate OCR, DOI, and bank steps together
Apostilled parent documents
Clear capital structure
Local legal and tax advisor
Company registration timelines are governed by:
Companies Act 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019
Industrial Enterprises Act 2020
Nepal Rastra Bank Foreign Exchange Directives
These laws mandate processing efficiency but allow discretion for compliance review.
For foreign companies, company registration in Nepal usually takes 15 to 45 days, depending on FDI approval speed and documentation accuracy.
Name reservation and incorporation filings are online. However, foreign investment approval and banking steps still require offline coordination.
A private limited company with pre-approved documents and professional handling can be registered in under three weeks.
Yes. FDI approval is the most time-consuming stage and can take 7–30 days depending on sector and authority.
No. Foreign companies must complete incorporation, FDI approval, and tax registration before commencing operations.
Company registration in Nepal is efficient when approached strategically. While the legal framework supports foreign investment, timelines depend heavily on preparation and compliance quality.
For most foreign companies, the realistic timeline ranges from 15 to 45 days. With expert guidance, delays can be minimized, and approvals accelerated.
If you are planning company registration in Nepal and want a clear timeline, fixed costs, and zero regulatory surprises, speak with a local specialist.
👉 Book a free consultation to assess your structure, timeline, and compliance roadmap.