Choosing a company name may seem simple, until you try to register it in Nepal. Every year, hundreds of company name applications are rejected or delayed by the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) because they fail to meet legal or linguistic standards.
If you are a foreign investor or startup founder, your first step in company formation, name reservation, determines how fast the rest of your registration moves. A single rejection can add days or weeks to your timeline.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about name reservation in Nepal, including:
OCR’s legal and practical requirements for name approval.
Common mistakes that cause rejections.
Strategies for branding and compliance under the Companies Act 2006.
Step-by-step process to reserve your name online through OCR’s portal.
Let’s start by understanding the legal foundation behind name reservation.
The Companies Act 2006 (Section 4) sets out the rules for company naming in Nepal. It empowers the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) to approve, reject, or modify proposed names based on specific criteria.
The name must be unique — it cannot match or closely resemble an existing registered company or trademark.
The name must not be misleading — it should not imply government affiliation or false qualifications.
The name must not violate national interest or decency — politically sensitive, offensive, or discriminatory terms are prohibited.
The name must reflect the intended business activity clearly and honestly.
🟢 DCV Insight:
Many foreign investors choose brand-style names (“Xelora,” “BrightPath,” “Aventra”). OCR may request a business activity descriptor, such as “Xelora Technologies Pvt. Ltd.” or “BrightPath Consulting Pvt. Ltd.” to clarify the business purpose.
Under OCR registration procedures, name reservation is the mandatory first stage of company formation.
Without an approved name, you cannot prepare your Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Articles of Association (AOA), both documents legally require the exact registered company name.
Once approved, your reserved name is valid for 35 days (as per Companies Rules 2064). During this period, you must submit your incorporation documents. If you miss the deadline, the name automatically expires and must be re-applied for.
🟢 DCV Tip:
At DCV, we always file the full incorporation documents within 10–15 days of name approval to avoid expiry, ensuring the registration proceeds smoothly.
OCR officers evaluate every proposed name through multiple filters:
| Criteria | OCR Expectation | Example (Accepted) | Example (Rejected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniqueness | Not similar to existing company | Everest Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. | Everest Consultants Pvt. Ltd. |
| Clarity | Reflects nature of business | Himal Accounting Services | Himal Vision Pvt. Ltd. (too vague) |
| Language | Written in English or Nepali | “Global Health Nepal” | “GH Nepal” (unclear meaning) |
| Public Interest | Non-offensive, non-political | Green Future Nepal Pvt. Ltd. | Federal Movement Nepal Pvt. Ltd. |
| Legal Form | Includes correct suffix | “TechLink Pvt. Ltd.” | “TechLink” (missing Pvt. Ltd.) |
🟢 DCV Insight:
Names implying public institutions (e.g., Nepal Bank, National Authority, Government Project) are immediately rejected under OCR Rule 4(1)(d).
Here’s how to complete name reservation through the OCR Online Portal (https://ocr.gov.np/):
Go to the OCR website and select “Online Services.”
Register with your email, contact number, and identification details.
Log in and click “Apply for New Name Reservation.”
Enter the proposed name, business objectives, and company type (Private Limited, Public Limited, etc.).
Provide the promoter’s citizenship or passport copy.
If the applicant is a foreign shareholder, upload a scanned notarised passport.
The system automatically checks for similar existing names.
Submit and await OCR officer review.
OCR typically responds within 2–3 business days.
Approved names appear on your dashboard with an official reservation number.
🟢 DCV Practice:
Our team cross-checks proposed names across both OCR records and Department of Industry (DOI) databases to ensure zero overlap before filing.
Even experienced founders often see their applications rejected for preventable reasons.
Similarity to an existing entity — even small spelling variations (e.g., “Everst” vs “Everest”) can be denied.
Use of restricted words like “Authority,” “Ministry,” “Nepal Government,” or “Central Bank.”
Ambiguous abbreviations or invented acronyms that lack clear meaning.
Improper suffix usage — missing “Pvt. Ltd.” or “Ltd.” in the name.
Mismatch between name and activity — “ABC Trading Pvt. Ltd.” applying for IT services.
Incomplete documentation or missing citizenship copy.
Duplicate English-Nepali translation inconsistencies.
🟢 Example:
A name like “Mount View Construction Pvt. Ltd.” was rejected because “Mount View Builders Pvt. Ltd.” already existed. OCR flagged it for duplication.
Here are the insider strategies DCV uses to secure name approvals within two days:
Include a unique, descriptive keyword.
✅ Example: Instead of “Himal Consulting,” use “Himal Business Advisory Pvt. Ltd.”
OCR prefers descriptive names.
✅ Example: “Apex Engineering Nepal Pvt. Ltd.” is better than “Apex Pvt. Ltd.”
Search your proposed name on the OCR portal before applying. Similar names lead to automatic rejection.
OCR rejects names that refer to religion, nationality, or political ideology.
If you plan regional expansion, choose a name that fits future diversification (e.g., “VastEdge Global Pvt. Ltd.”).
🟢 DCV Advantage:
We run every client name through OCR, trademark, and domain availability checks before submission, ensuring brand and legal consistency.
For foreign investors, name reservation is not an isolated task, it directly connects to FITTA 2019, NRB, and DOI compliance.
When you apply for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under FITTA, the approved name in your company registration must exactly match the name in your investment proposal.
Apply for name reservation at OCR.
Use that name consistently in FITTA proposal at DOI or IBN.
Once FDI is approved, use the same name for NRB capital inflow verification.
🟢 DCV Tip:
Changing your company name after DOI or NRB approval requires re-endorsement by both authorities — adding two to three weeks of delay. Hence, choosing the right name early saves significant time.
Foreign companies establishing a branch or liaison office in Nepal must use their parent company’s name, but OCR still requires name validation.
If “TechGlobal Inc.” of Singapore opens a branch, it must be registered as “TechGlobal Inc. (Nepal Branch)”.
The OCR verifies:
The parent’s certificate of incorporation.
Authorised signatory documents.
Translation consistency with FITTA filings.
🟢 DCV Note:
Our legal team aligns branch name reservation with NRB and DOI guidelines to ensure uniformity across all documents.
Before reserving a name, check if it conflicts with existing trademarks in Nepal.
Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, OCR can reject names that infringe on registered trademarks, even if no company with that name exists.
🟢 Example:
A client proposed “Nike Engineering Pvt. Ltd.” OCR rejected it for being similar to a registered trademark.
Search trademarks on the Department of Industry (DOI) portal.
Ensure the name does not match international marks already protected in Nepal.
If your brand is unique, consider filing your own trademark registration after company incorporation.
Here’s a practical timeline breakdown:
| Stage | Duration | Responsible Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Online submission | 1 day | Applicant |
| OCR review | 2–3 business days | OCR Officer |
| Resubmission (if required) | 3–5 days | Applicant |
| Approval validity | 35 days | OCR |
🟢 DCV Insight:
With clear documents and compliant naming, approval often arrives within 48 hours.
Once your name is approved, OCR issues a reservation certificate with a unique reference number.
Next steps:
Prepare the MOA and AOA using the approved name.
Submit incorporation forms within 35 days.
Register your PAN with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Proceed with NRB verification and FDI filings, if applicable.
🟢 DCV Checklist:
Our incorporation workflow connects the name reservation record directly to your FDI and PAN setup, eliminating re-entry errors.
1. How do I check if a company name is available in Nepal?
You can check on the OCR’s official portal under “Company Search.” Always verify before submission to avoid rejection.
2. How long is the reserved name valid?
A reserved name is valid for 35 days. If not used, it expires automatically.
3. Can I change my company name after incorporation?
Yes, but it requires a special resolution, public notice, and OCR re-approval, taking 2–3 weeks.
4. Can foreign companies reserve names before FDI approval?
Yes. In fact, OCR name reservation is a prerequisite for FITTA and DOI filings.
5. What are restricted words for company names in Nepal?
Words implying government, political, or religious affiliation — such as “Authority,” “Government,” “Bank,” or “Temple”, are restricted.
Your company name is not just a label, it’s your first legal identity, your brand foundation, and your key to compliance.
A name approved once saves weeks of rework and ensures consistency across your OCR, DOI, FITTA, and NRB filings.
At Digital Consulting Ventures (DCV), we make sure your name reservation and full incorporation process meet every legal, linguistic, and branding standard. From name approval to FDI setup, NRB verification, and tax registration, we manage every step with precision.
💬 Book a consultation today to secure your ideal company name and complete your registration in Nepal smoothly.