Online company registration Nepal begins with one critical step that foreign companies often underestimate: checking company name availability. Before you invest time, legal fees, or capital, Nepalese law requires your proposed company name to be unique, compliant, and approved by the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR).
For foreign investors, this step is not just administrative. A rejected name can delay Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval, banking, tax registration, and licensing. This guide explains, in clear and practical terms, how to check company name availability online in Nepal, what rules apply, and how to get it right the first time.
Company name approval is the first legal gate in Nepal’s incorporation process. Without it, no further filings are accepted.
Under the Companies Act, 2006 (Nepal), the OCR must ensure that:
No two companies operate under identical or deceptively similar names
Names do not mislead the public or regulators
Restricted or regulated words are used only with approval
For foreign companies, name rejection can create downstream risks such as:
Delays in FITTA approval
Banking and tax registration hold-ups
Branding conflicts in Nepal
The company name approval process is governed primarily by:
Section 18 – Prohibition of identical or misleading names
Section 19 – Power of OCR to reject or cancel names
Company Registration Rules issued by OCR
These provisions apply equally to local and foreign-owned companies, including FDI subsidiaries.
Any entity registering through online company registration Nepal must reserve a name first, including:
Foreign-owned private limited companies
Joint ventures with Nepalese partners
Liaison offices converting to subsidiaries
Branch registrations (where applicable)
Visit the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) online system. This is the only legally valid platform for name checking and reservation.
Important: Third-party websites do not reflect real-time OCR decisions.
Enter your proposed company name in:
Full English name
Key words only (recommended)
This helps identify:
Exact matches
Similar or confusingly close names
Even if your name is in English, OCR evaluates:
Pronunciation similarity
Literal and implied meaning in Nepali
Sector association
A name that looks unique in English may still be rejected if it implies similarity in Nepali.
Certain words require special approval or are prohibited, including:
Bank
Insurance
Trust
Government
Authority
National
Foreign companies frequently fail at this stage by assuming global naming freedom applies in Nepal.
OCR allows you to submit multiple options. This significantly reduces delays if your first choice is rejected.
Once satisfied:
Log in to the OCR system
Submit the proposed name(s)
Await approval or objection
Approval timelines typically range from 1–3 working days, depending on complexity.
Foreign investors often face rejection due to avoidable issues.
Similarity to existing companies
Use of regulated industry terms
Misleading geographic or government references
Abbreviations implying public authority
Overly generic business descriptions
Your proposed name must:
End with “Private Limited” or “Pvt. Ltd.”
Reflect lawful business activities
Not imply monopoly or state ownership
Avoid names that:
Suggest government affiliation
Infringe trademarks
Imply illegal or unlicensed activities
Are offensive or misleading
Many foreign founders confuse these two concepts.
| Aspect | Company Name Approval | Trademark Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Office of Company Registrar | Department of Industry |
| Purpose | Legal incorporation | Brand protection |
| Mandatory | Yes | Optional but recommended |
| Territorial scope | Nepal only | Nepal (can be international) |
| Risk covered | Legal identity | Brand infringement |
Insight: OCR approval does not protect your brand from copying. Trademark registration is a separate process.
Use distinctive, coined words
Avoid regulated industry terms unless licensed
Check trademark databases in parallel
Avoid country names unless justified
Keep spelling simple and clear
Certain sectors face stricter scrutiny:
Financial services
Education
Healthcare
IT and telecom
Energy and infrastructure
Foreign companies in these sectors should seek pre-validation before submission.
In Nepal, company name approval comes before:
FDI approval under FITTA
PAN and VAT registration
Bank account opening
Share capital injection
A rejected name can delay the entire investment cycle.
Assuming global brand availability equals Nepal approval
Submitting only one name option
Using regulated words without clearance
Ignoring Nepali language implications
Proceeding with branding before approval
Experienced Nepal market-entry advisors:
Conduct pre-search risk analysis
Validate against OCR practice trends
Align name with FDI and tax filings
Coordinate trademark strategy
This approach significantly improves first-time approval rates.
Online company registration Nepal starts with a compliant, well-researched company name. For foreign investors, this step determines how smoothly your incorporation, FDI approval, and operations will proceed.
By understanding OCR rules, legal restrictions, and best practices, you can avoid costly delays and start your Nepal expansion with confidence.
Planning to register a foreign-owned company in Nepal?
Speak with our Nepal FDI and company registration specialists for end-to-end support, from name approval to operational setup.
Usually 1–3 working days after online submission, depending on name complexity and OCR workload.
Yes. Foreign-owned companies use the same OCR online system as local companies.
Yes. FDI applications require an approved company name.
Yes, if it is unique, compliant, and not restricted. Trademark checks are recommended.
No. OCR approval is not trademark protection. Separate trademark registration is required.