Company registration in Nepal starts with one critical step that many foreign founders underestimate: reserving the company name. A rejected or poorly chosen name can delay incorporation by weeks. In some cases, it can force a complete rebranding before you even enter the market.
The good news is that Nepal offers both online and offline company name reservation options. When done correctly, the process is straightforward, affordable, and fast. This guide explains everything foreign companies need to know, from legal rules to practical tips that prevent rejection.
Under Nepal’s Companies Act, 2006, no company can be incorporated unless its proposed name is approved by the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR).
Name reservation ensures:
Legal uniqueness across Nepal
Protection from trademark conflicts
Alignment with permitted business activities
Faster approval during company registration in Nepal
For foreign investors, this step also signals regulatory seriousness and compliance readiness.
Foreign companies can reserve a name if they plan to register as:
Private Limited Company
Public Limited Company
Branch Office
Liaison Office
Subsidiary under Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
The reservation process is the same, although FDI-linked entities require additional scrutiny on sector alignment.
Company name approval in Nepal is governed by:
Companies Act, 2006
Company Registration Regulation, 2007
OCR Naming Directives and Circulars
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020 (for sector relevance)
The OCR has full discretion to accept or reject a name.
Visit the OCR online company registration portal
Create a user account
Select “Name Reservation”
Enter proposed company name
Choose company type
Define business objectives
Upload supporting documents (if required)
Pay the prescribed fee
Submit for review
Most approvals are issued within 1–3 working days.
Proposed company name
Business objective description
Passport copy (foreign promoter)
Board resolution (for corporate shareholders)
Power of attorney (if applying through a consultant)
Name resembles an existing company
Use of restricted or regulated words
Vague or misleading business objectives
Sector mismatch with FDI rules
Improper suffix usage (Pvt. Ltd., Limited)
While less common today, offline reservation is still permitted.
Visit the Office of the Company Registrar
Fill the physical name reservation application
Submit supporting documents
Pay the fee at the counter
Collect acknowledgment slip
Receive approval or rejection notice
Processing time is usually 3–5 working days.
Offline filing may be useful when:
OCR portal is down
Complex foreign ownership structures exist
Regulated sector clarification is needed
Urgent in-person clarification is required
| Criteria | Online Method | Offline Method |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 1–3 days | 3–5 days |
| Convenience | High | Moderate |
| Transparency | Real-time status | Manual follow-up |
| Best for foreigners | Yes | Case-specific |
| Error correction | Faster | Slower |
Must be unique
Must not mislead the public
Must align with business objectives
Must include proper legal suffix
Must not violate public morality or sovereignty
Some examples include:
Bank
Finance
Insurance
Cooperative
University
Government
National
Using these words requires approvals from relevant regulators like Nepal Rastra Bank or line ministries.
Prepare three alternative names
Avoid generic terms like “Global” or “International” unless justified
Clearly define your business scope
Match name tone with sector
Check existing OCR records before submission
These steps significantly increase approval success during company registration in Nepal.
A reserved company name is valid for:
35 days from approval date
If incorporation documents are not filed within this period, the name expires and must be re-applied.
Name reservation fees are nominal and regulated by the OCR.
| Company Type | Approximate Fee (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Private Limited | 100 |
| Public Limited | 1,000 |
| Branch / Liaison | 1,000 |
Professional advisory fees may apply if you use consultants.
Foreign companies often appoint local advisors to:
Conduct name availability checks
Align naming with FDI rules
Draft compliant business objectives
Handle OCR correspondence
This reduces rejection risk and speeds up company registration in Nepal.
Assuming trademark registration equals name approval
Copying parent company names without localization
Ignoring sector restrictions
Missing the 35-day validity deadline
Filing incomplete objectives
Avoiding these errors saves time and cost.
Name reservation is followed by:
MOA and AOA drafting
FDI approval (if applicable)
Capital injection
Tax and VAT registration
Bank account opening
A rejected name delays all downstream steps.
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can reserve names through the OCR, subject to sector and FDI compliance.
Online applications usually take 1–3 working days. Offline applications take slightly longer.
Yes. Multiple applications can be submitted, but each requires a separate fee.
The name becomes publicly available again. You must reapply.
Yes. Without name approval, OCR will not process incorporation documents.
Company registration in Nepal begins with a compliant, well-thought-out company name reservation. For foreign companies, this step sets the tone for regulatory success. Choosing the right name, following OCR rules, and using the correct filing method can save weeks of delay and unnecessary rejections.
With proper guidance, name reservation becomes a smooth and predictable process that accelerates your Nepal market entry.
Planning company registration in Nepal as a foreign investor?
Speak with our compliance and FDI specialists to reserve your company name correctly the first time and fast-track incorporation.
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Sources referenced:
Companies Act, 2006 (Nepal)
Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) Guidelines
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020