If you are planning market entry, the Company registrar office Nepal is your first formal checkpoint.
Before you can invest, incorporate, or hire, your company name must be approved and reserved by Nepal’s registrar.
For foreign companies, this step is more than administrative. It determines whether your brand, investment structure, and compliance roadmap can move forward smoothly.
This guide explains exactly how to reserve a company name via the Company Registrar Office Nepal, what rules apply to foreign investors, and how to avoid rejection or delays.
The Office of Company Registrar (OCR) is the government authority that regulates company incorporation under Nepal’s Companies Act, 2006.
Its core responsibilities include:
Approving and reserving company names
Registering private, public, and foreign-invested companies
Maintaining the national company registry
Enforcing naming and disclosure standards
No company—local or foreign—can legally operate in Nepal without OCR approval.
Foreign founders often underestimate this stage. In Nepal, name reservation is a legal gate, not a formality.
A reserved name:
Confirms legal uniqueness across Nepal
Locks your brand for incorporation
Enables FDI approval, bank accounts, and tax registration
Prevents conflicts with regulated or restricted terms
Without name reservation, you cannot proceed to:
Foreign investment approval
Company registration
Capital injection
Employment or contracts
Foreign investors may reserve names for:
Private Limited Company (FDI-approved)
Public Limited Company
Branch Office of a Foreign Company
Liaison Office
Each structure has naming nuances discussed later in this guide.
Name approval at the Company Registrar Office Nepal is guided by:
Companies Act, 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020
OCR Naming Directives and Circulars
These laws empower the registrar to approve, reject, or revoke a name if it violates public interest or statutory rules.
You must submit one primary name and one alternative.
Good practice:
Keep names descriptive but distinctive
Include activity indicators like “Solutions,” “Services,” or “Technologies”
Avoid sensitive or regulated words
The Company Registrar Office Nepal operates an online portal for name reservation.
You will need:
Applicant details
Proposed company name(s)
Company type (private, public, branch)
Brief business objective
Once submitted:
The application enters OCR review
A registrar checks compliance with naming rules
Similar or misleading names are screened out
The OCR typically:
Approves the name
Requests clarification
Or rejects with reasons
Average processing time: 1–3 working days, depending on complexity.
Once approved:
The name is reserved for 35 days
You can proceed with incorporation and FDI approvals
Failure to register within the validity period causes automatic expiration.
Foreign companies must comply with strict naming standards.
Identical or deceptively similar to existing companies
Offensive or misleading terms
Suggesting illegal or restricted activities
Bank
Finance
Insurance
Trust
University
Cooperative
Most rejections are avoidable.
Top causes include:
Overly generic names
Similarity to existing companies
Use of restricted words without approval
Misalignment with stated business objectives
How to reduce risk:
Conduct informal name searches first
Prepare compliant alternatives
Align the name with permitted activities
Yes, but with conditions.
Foreign companies may:
Use their global brand name
Add “Nepal” or “Private Limited” where required
Register trademarks separately if needed
OCR may request proof of:
Parent company registration
Brand ownership
| Scenario | Approval Complexity | Risk Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unique brand name | Low | Minimal | Proceed directly |
| Global brand reused | Medium | Moderate | Provide parent proof |
| Generic business name | High | High | Modify name |
| Regulated terms included | Very high | Very high | Obtain prior approvals |
This table reflects common OCR outcomes observed in practice.
A company name approved by the Company Registrar Office Nepal is valid for:
35 calendar days
If incorporation is delayed:
The reservation expires automatically
A fresh application is required
Yes. The entire process can be handled:
Online
Through an authorized local representative
Physical presence is not mandatory for name reservation.
Official government fees for name reservation are minimal.
However, professional advisory fees may apply if:
FDI structuring is required
Restricted terms are involved
Complex ownership structures exist
Use two clearly distinct name options
Avoid regulated keywords
Match your name with your business scope
Align with Nepal’s industry classifications
These steps significantly improve approval speed.
Once approved, you can proceed to:
Company registration
Foreign investment approval
Capital injection
Tax and VAT registration
Name reservation is the foundation of your Nepal entry strategy.
Usually 1–3 working days if the name complies with OCR rules.
Yes. Name reservation typically precedes FDI approval.
Yes. Registration cannot proceed without an approved name.
Yes, but it requires a fresh application and approval.
No. It only reserves the name. Registration depends on full legal compliance.
While name reservation appears simple, mistakes cause delays downstream.
Experienced advisors help:
Pre-validate names
Align branding with law
Coordinate OCR, FDI, and tax approvals
This saves weeks of time and cost.
If you are a foreign company planning to enter Nepal, start with the Company registrar office Nepal—correctly.
👉 Speak with our Nepal company-registration specialists to:
Secure name approval faster
Avoid rejection
Move seamlessly to FDI and incorporation
The Company registrar office Nepal controls the first legal milestone of your market entry.
Name reservation is not just a step—it is the foundation of compliance, branding, and investment success.