The company registration process in Nepal may seem complex at first, especially for new founders and foreign investors navigating local laws. However, once you understand the steps, documentation, and approval timeline, the process becomes clear and highly manageable.
This guide explains how registration works in practical, simple terms while referencing relevant legislation such as Nepal’s Companies Act 2006, FITTA 2019, and Government fee structures. Whether you are starting a private limited company, registering a foreign subsidiary, or planning long-term expansion, this article walks you through everything you need to know.
Registering a company in Nepal involves submitting your details to the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR), receiving approval, and obtaining your legal certificates. Although it sounds procedural, each stage has unique compliance rules, timelines, and government fee requirements.
Most local founders take 7–10 working days to complete the process, while foreign companies typically require 3–6 weeks due to additional approvals under FITTA.
Below is a structured walkthrough of the entire process. This applies to Private Limited, Public Limited, Non-Profit Companies, and Foreign Companies (with slight variations).
This is the first and most important step. You submit a name to OCR through its online portal.
Your company name must:
Not duplicate existing registered names
Not violate public morality
Not use restricted words like "Government", "National", "Bank", unless approved
Timeline: Usually 1 business day
Validity: 35 days
OCR will issue a Name Reservation Certificate, which you will need for the next step.
Once your name is approved, prepare the following:
MOA (Memorandum of Association)
AOA (Articles of Association)
Copy of citizenship certificate(s) of shareholders
Corporate documents (for foreign companies)
Passport copies (if foreign shareholder is an individual)
Proof of registered office (rental agreement or ownership document)
For Foreign Companies Registered in Nepal (as a Branch or Subsidiary)
You must submit:
Parent company incorporation certificate
Board resolution authorising Nepal office
Details of authorised representative
FITTA approval (if foreign investment is involved)
All foreign documents must be notarised and translated into English or Nepali.
Upload all documents to the OCR portal and pay registration fees online.
Below is a comparative table of government fees for different structures:
| Company Type | Minimum Paid-Up Capital | OCR Registration Fee | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited | NPR 100,000 | NPR 10,000 | Most common structure |
| Public Limited | NPR 10,000,000 | Starts NPR 15,000 | Increases with capital |
| Non-Profit | N/A | NPR 3,000 | Requires special objectives |
| Foreign Company Branch | No capital requirement | NPR 50,000 | Must submit parent documents |
| Subsidiary with Foreign Investment | As proposed | OCR fee per capital slab | FITTA approval mandatory |
Source: Office of Company Registrar (OCR) fee schedule
This stage usually takes 1–3 working days as OCR reviews your documentation.
OCR conducts a legal review to verify:
Share structure
Capital allocation
Address proof
MOA & AOA compliance with the Companies Act
Legitimacy of foreign investment documents (if applicable)
If errors are found, OCR sends a rejection note.
If approved, you receive the official Company Registration Certificate, which legally establishes your company.
Registering with OCR isn’t the end. You must complete several compliance steps:
PAN/VAT Registration with Inland Revenue Department
Employer Registration with Social Security Fund (SSF)
Labour Registration at Labour Office
Opening a Business Bank Account
Share Certificate Issuance within 60 days
Shareholder Register Preparation
Tax, HR, and Accounting Setup (monthly compliance begins)
For foreign companies, additional steps include:
NRB approval for inward foreign investment
Reporting obligations to FITTA
Quarterly and annual submissions
Foreign investment in Nepal is governed by the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019 (FITTA).
FITTA classifies foreign investment into two major categories:
Equity investment in a Nepal company
Branch office or liaison office setup
You will require:
Bulleted List: FITTA Documentation Requirements
Investment Proposal
Financial statements of parent company
Tax clearance certificate
Authorized representative details
Industry classification under Industrial Enterprises Act
Foreign direct investment must be routed through Nepal Rastra Bank via a documented banking channel.
| Task | Local Founders | Foreign Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | 1 day | 1 day |
| Document preparation | 2–3 days | 7–14 days |
| OCR approval | 2–5 days | 7–14 days |
| FITTA & NRB processes | N/A | 2–4 weeks |
| Post-registration | 1–3 days | 1–3 days |
Many applications are rejected due to name similarities.
This is the most common mistake. Incorrect objectives or capital structure often delay approval.
PAN/VAT, SSF, Labour Registration, and bank accounts must be completed before operations begin.
Without FITTA-compliant documents, foreign registration cannot proceed.
The OCR system is improving, but challenges remain:
Changing compliance interpretations
Occasional OCR rejections
Difficulty drafting legally compliant MOA/AOA
Complexities for foreign shareholders
This is why many local and international companies choose to work with a specialised advisory partner who handles registration, HR setup, tax compliance, and ongoing legal support in one place.
If you are a foreign or local entrepreneur planning to register a business in Nepal, DCV provides end-to-end incorporation support including:
Company registration
Branch office and liaison office setup
FITTA and NRB approvals
HR, payroll, SSF compliance
EOR (Employer of Record) services
Talent hiring and outsourcing
We help you launch quickly, compliantly, and confidently.
The company registration process in Nepal is structured and predictable once you understand each step, the required documentation, and the compliance framework. Whether you are a local founder or a foreign investor entering Nepal for the first time, following a clear roadmap will save time and prevent unnecessary rejection or delays.
If you want expert help managing the entire process, we’re here to support you at every stage—from name reservation to full operational readiness.
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Local companies take 7–10 business days. Foreign companies require 3–6 weeks due to FITTA and NRB approvals.
MOA, AOA, citizenship copies, passport copies for foreign shareholders, office address proof, and notarised parent company documents if registering a foreign entity.
Government fees range from NPR 3,000 to NPR 50,000 depending on the company type. Private limited companies typically pay NPR 10,000.
Yes. They can register as a branch office, liaison office, or a subsidiary with foreign investment. FITTA and NRB approvals are required.
Not legally, but most founders prefer assistance to avoid OCR rejections, legal errors, and delays in FITTA/NRA approvals.