If you are a foreign investor planning market entry, the Company Registrar Office Nepal is your first and most critical legal checkpoint. Every private limited company, public company, or non-profit entity must be incorporated through this authority before doing business in Nepal.
This guide explains how foreign companies register at the Company Registrar Office Nepal, what documents are required, timelines, costs, and compliance risks—written clearly, practically, and from an on-the-ground legal perspective.
The Office of Company Registrar (commonly called OCR Nepal) is the government body responsible for:
Incorporating companies in Nepal
Maintaining the official company registry
Approving constitutional documents
Recording directors, shareholders, and capital changes
Enforcing company law compliance
It operates under the Companies Act 2006, which governs how companies are formed, managed, and dissolved in Nepal.
Foreign companies cannot legally operate, hire staff, open bank accounts, or remit profits without OCR registration.
Registration at the Company Registrar Office Nepal enables you to:
Establish legal presence in Nepal
Apply for foreign direct investment approval
Open corporate bank accounts
Hire employees and enroll in SSF
Sign enforceable contracts
Repatriate dividends legally
Without OCR registration, all business activities remain legally invalid.
Foreign companies usually register one of the following:
Separate legal entity
Shareholders’ liability limited to capital
Eligible for FDI
Suitable for IT, outsourcing, consulting, trading
Minimum seven shareholders
Heavily regulated
Rare for foreign SMEs
For NGOs or social enterprises
Cannot distribute profits
Branch offices and liaison offices follow a different approval route but still require OCR registration after sectoral approvals.
You must reserve a unique company name through the OCR’s online portal.
Name rules include:
Must not be misleading or offensive
Cannot duplicate existing names
Should reflect business activity
Approval usually takes one business day.
Foreign companies must submit:
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
These documents define:
Company objectives
Share capital structure
Governance rules
Director powers
Errors here often cause delays or future compliance issues.
All incorporation filings are now digital.
You upload:
Name approval letter
MOA and AOA
Shareholder and director details
Passport copies of foreign investors
Registered office address in Nepal
Fees depend on authorized capital size and company type.
Payment is made through designated banks linked to OCR.
Once approved, the Company Registrar Office Nepal issues:
Certificate of Incorporation
Company Registration Number
Your company now legally exists.
Foreign companies should prepare the following checklist:
Passport copies of shareholders and directors
Passport-size photos
Board resolution approving Nepal investment
MOA and AOA (Nepali language)
Registered office address proof
Authorized capital declaration
All foreign documents may require notarization and apostille.
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | 1 day |
| Document preparation | 2–4 days |
| OCR review and approval | 3–7 working days |
| Certificate issuance | Same day after approval |
Total timeline: 7–14 working days if documents are accurate.
NPR 1,000–15,000 for small companies
Scales upward with authorized capital
Legal drafting
FDI coordination
Tax and compliance setup
Professional support reduces rejection risk and speeds approval.
| Criteria | Online Filing | Physical Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Transparency | High | Moderate |
| Error correction | Easier | Manual |
| Recommended | Yes | No |
The OCR strongly encourages online filing for foreign investors.
Avoid these frequent errors:
Using generic or restricted company names
Drafting MOA objectives too narrowly
Mismatch between passport names and filings
Incorrect capital structuring
Ignoring post-registration obligations
These mistakes often lead to rejection or costly amendments.
Registration at the Company Registrar Office Nepal is only the beginning.
Foreign companies must also:
Obtain PAN/VAT registration
Open corporate bank accounts
Register with Social Security Fund
Maintain statutory registers
File annual returns with OCR
Comply with foreign exchange rules
Non-compliance can lead to penalties or company suspension.
OCR registration is linked with:
Inland Revenue Department
Nepal Rastra Bank (for FDI)
Department of Industry
Social Security Fund
Proper sequencing matters. OCR is step one, not the last step.
Although the process appears simple, foreign companies face unique risks:
Regulatory interpretation issues
Language barriers
FDI compliance overlap
Future repatriation challenges
Expert guidance ensures your OCR registration aligns with long-term business strategy.
Registering at the Company Registrar Office Nepal is a legal milestone that shapes your entire Nepal operation.
If you want:
Faster approvals
Zero compliance risk
Proper FDI structuring
End-to-end support
👉 Book a consultation with our Nepal incorporation specialists today.
The Company Registrar Office Nepal is the legal gateway for foreign companies entering Nepal. Understanding its role, requirements, timelines, and compliance obligations is essential for a smooth market entry.
With proper planning and expert support, OCR registration becomes a strategic advantage—not a bureaucratic hurdle.
The Company Registrar Office Nepal is the government authority responsible for registering and regulating companies under the Companies Act 2006.
Yes. Foreign nationals and companies can register private limited companies in Nepal, subject to sector eligibility and FDI rules.
Typically 7–14 working days if documents are accurate and complete.
Online registration is strongly recommended and is now the standard method for company incorporation.
You must complete tax registration, bank setup, SSF enrollment, and annual compliance filings.