If you are researching how to register a company in Nepal without a lawyer, you are not alone. Many foreign founders, startups, and SMEs want a cost-effective way to test the Nepali market before committing to full legal representation.
The good news is that Nepal’s online company registration system allows self-registration in straightforward cases. The less obvious news is where foreign founders usually struggle. This guide explains what you can do yourself, what you should not do alone, and how to stay compliant while saving time and money.
This is the most practical, up-to-date guide written specifically for foreign companies.
Yes, foreigners can register a company in Nepal without a lawyer, provided the structure is simple and documents are prepared correctly.
However, this only applies to company incorporation, not foreign investment approval.
Key distinction:
Company registration can be done online via the OCR portal.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval requires government review and is rarely successful without professional support.
Most foreign founders start with a Nepali Private Limited Company and then proceed to FDI approval.
Understanding the law improves approval speed and credibility.
Company incorporation in Nepal is governed by:
Office of the Company Registrar
Companies Act 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019
Department of Industry
These laws define ownership limits, capital thresholds, and compliance obligations.
This section directly answers how to register a company in Nepal independently.
For foreign founders, the most common option is:
Private Limited Company
Requirements:
1–101 shareholders
Limited liability
Can be 100 percent foreign-owned (subject to FDI approval)
Avoid sole proprietorships. They are not suitable for foreigners.
Log in to the OCR portal and submit three proposed names.
Rules:
Must be unique
Must not resemble existing companies
Must reflect actual business activity
Approval time: 1–3 working days
You will upload:
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
These define:
Business objectives
Shareholding structure
Director powers
Common mistake: copying generic templates that conflict with FDI rules.
Prepare clear, scanned documents:
Passport copies
Passport-size photos
Address proof
Board resolution (for corporate shareholders)
All foreign documents must be:
Notarised
Apostilled or consularised
Fees depend on authorised capital.
| Authorised Capital (NPR) | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| 1,000,001 – 5,000,000 | NPR 4,500 |
| 5,000,001 – 10,000,000 | NPR 9,500 |
Payment is made online.
Once approved, OCR issues:
Certificate of Incorporation
PAN registration eligibility
Timeline: 5–10 working days if documents are correct.
Foreign founders can safely handle:
Name reservation
OCR portal submission
Basic MOA/AOA uploads
Government fee payments
These steps are procedural and digitised.
Certain areas create legal risk if mishandled.
Avoid DIY when dealing with:
Foreign Direct Investment approval
Capital repatriation clauses
Restricted sector classification
Share transfer structuring
Tax optimisation and double taxation treaties
These mistakes can delay approvals by months.
| Aspect | Without Lawyer | With Expert Support |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low upfront | Moderate |
| Timeline | 10–30 days | 7–14 days |
| Compliance risk | High for foreigners | Low |
| FDI approval | Uncertain | Structured |
| Bank account opening | Difficult | Assisted |
This table reflects real OCR and DOI processing trends.
Numbered overview:
Name reservation: 1–3 days
Document preparation: 3–7 days
OCR approval: 5–10 days
PAN registration: 1–2 days
Bank account setup: 7–14 days
Total realistic timeline: 3–6 weeks
Bullet breakdown:
OCR registration fee
Notarisation and apostille
Translation (if required)
Bank minimum deposit
Accounting setup
Budget range: USD 500–1,500 excluding FDI capital.
Avoid these errors:
Using incorrect business objectives
Choosing restricted sectors
Uploading uncertified documents
Ignoring post-registration compliance
Assuming incorporation equals FDI approval
Each mistake leads to rejection or regulatory flags.
Registration is only the beginning.
You must:
Register for PAN and VAT if applicable
Maintain statutory registers
File annual returns
Comply with labour and tax laws
Non-compliance leads to penalties and blacklisting.
For simple market entry, yes.
For long-term operations, expert oversight saves cost and time.
Most foreign companies start DIY and later correct structural issues at higher expense.
Foreign founders face:
Extra scrutiny by regulators
Banking due diligence
Currency repatriation controls
Sector-based restrictions
Understanding these early prevents costly restructuring.
Yes. Subject to sector eligibility and FDI approval under FITTA 2019.
Company incorporation takes 5–10 working days. Full operational setup takes 3–6 weeks.
No. Lawyers are optional for basic incorporation but recommended for FDI and compliance.
Yes. The OCR portal supports full online submission and approval.
Minimum FDI threshold is NPR 20 million, subject to sector rules.
Understanding how to register a company in Nepal without a lawyer empowers foreign founders to enter the market faster. Nepal’s OCR system allows self-registration, but foreign ownership introduces legal complexity.
For simple incorporation, DIY works. For compliant, scalable expansion, expert guidance is a strategic advantage.
If you want a free eligibility assessment or a document checklist tailored to your business, speak with our Nepal expansion specialists today. We help foreign companies register, invest, hire, and operate compliantly in Nepal.