Foreign companies can now register businesses in Nepal via the OCR’s online portal for company registration, streamlining the entire process. The Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) has launched a fully digital system (CAMIS) so incorporation tasks – from name approval to certificate issuance – can be done online. This guide walks you through registering a subsidiary, branch office, liaison office, or joint venture on the OCR portal. It covers each step, key documents, fees, and recent 2024 updates. Our expert legal team provides end-to-end support to simplify your Nepalese company registration and ensure full compliance.
Nepal’s OCR online portal offers a fast, transparent way to start your business. As of March 2025, OCR “fully implemented the Company Administration Management Information System” (CAMIS) to cover company services – from registration to closure – entirely online. This means no physical visit to Kathmandu is needed. Key advantages include:
24/7 Online Access: File your application anytime, from anywhere, using the secure CAMIS portal.
End-to-End Digital Service: You can complete name reservation, document submission, fee payment and certificate issuance all on one platform.
Faster Processing: Since mid-2024, CAMIS has streamlined workflows. Name reservations can be approved in days and follow-up steps are quicker.
Cost Savings: Initial incorporation fees are modest. (Registration is technically free under Companies Act, though in practice a small government fee applies based on capital.) OCR also recently waived 90% of late penalties on filings to encourage digital compliance.
Using the OCR portal ensures you meet Nepal’s legal requirements under the Companies Act (2063) and Foreign Investment Act. All foreign businesses – whether wholly-owned or joint ventures – must register with OCR. The portal’s automation and updates (OCR even allows migration of old data) make the process much more efficient than the old paper-based system.
Foreign investors in Nepal typically establish one of these entities:
Private Subsidiary (Private Limited Company): A Nepalese company (under the Companies Act) with foreign ownership, often 100%. Used for most commercial ventures. Requires at least NPR 100,000 in paid-up capital.
Local Joint Venture (Private Limited with Nepali Partner): A private company shared between foreign and Nepalese shareholders. Common in sectors where local participation is mandated. Setup is the same as a private subsidiary but with a local co-promoter.
Branch Office: An extension of the foreign parent company. Can undertake the parent’s business activities in Nepal (e.g. projects, contracts, trading) once approved. Requires Foreign Investment Board or Department of Industry approval plus OCR registration. No fixed capital requirement, though the project scope and funding must be justified.
Liaison Office: A non-commercial representative office for market research or coordination. It cannot engage in profit-generating activities. It requires Department of Industry approval and must register with OCR, but it only reports expenses and cannot invoice locally.
| Entity Type | Ownership / Investment | Activities Allowed | Registration & Regulators | Minimum Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Subsidiary (Pvt Ltd) | Up to 100% foreign (subject to sector caps) | Full business activities as per company objectives (e.g. trade, services) | Register as a Nepali company under the Companies Act via OCR; industry-specific approvals (e.g. DOI) if required | NPR 100,000 (authorized) |
| Local Joint Venture (Pvt Ltd) | Foreign partner(s) plus Nepali partner(s) | Same as Private Subsidiary | Register via OCR with Nepali co-promoter; follow same process as any private company | NPR 100,000 (authorized) |
| Branch Office | Foreign parent company (100% foreign) | Commercial operations (projects, consulting, sales) similar to parent | Must obtain DOI/IBN license and then register with OCR | No fixed minimum (set by project size) |
| Liaison Office | Foreign parent company (100% foreign) | Non-commercial liaison (market research, coordination); no revenue generation | Obtain DOI approval for liaison and register with OCR | N/A (operational budget based) |
Key points: Branch offices require an industry-specific permit and must comply with Nepal’s tax/audit rules (taxable on local income at ~25%). Liaison offices submit annual expense reports to the OCR. In all cases, the OCR portal is used for formal registration. For most private companies (subsidiaries/JVs), you simply incorporate via OCR’s online portal under the Companies Act.
Follow these steps to register on the OCR portal:
Create an OCR Portal Account. Visit the CAMIS portal (e.g. camis.ocr.gov.np) and sign up as a new user. You need a valid email and a Nepali mobile number to receive an OTP for verification. Once confirmed, you can log in and access the company registration module.
Reserve a Company Name. After logging in, propose your company name in the portal (in both English and Nepali). You will also specify the basic company details (structure, objectives, number of directors/shareholders, etc.). The OCR system will review the name for conflicts. If approved, you will instantly get a Name Reservation Certificate, typically valid for 90 days. (Tip: Submit 2–3 name options to improve chances of approval.)
Prepare & Upload Documents. Draft the required legal documents (Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association) and gather essential information. Required items usually include:
Company Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA).
Name Reservation Certificate from Step 2.
Shareholder and Director details: passport or Nepali citizenship IDs, and address proofs.
Proof of the company’s registered office address (e.g. utility bill).
Power of Attorney (if you appoint a local agent to file for you).
Sector-specific approvals or feasibility reports (if required by DOI/sector regulator).
Upload all documents on the portal in PDF form. Pay special attention to the OCR’s document requirements (for example, signatures and notarizations). Our team can assist in preparing compliant MoA/AoA and supporting papers to avoid delays.
Pay Registration Fees and Submit. Nepal’s registration fee (rajaswa) depends on the company’s authorized capital. For example, a company with NPR 10 million capital pays about NPR 15,000. You can pay online via the portal’s e-payment system or by bank deposit as instructed. Keep the payment receipt. Once payment is made, formally submit the application on the portal.
OCR Review and Certificate Issuance. The OCR will examine your submission. By law, OCR must complete the registration (for branches and liaison offices) within 30 days of application. In practice, straightforward private company applications often finalize within 1–2 weeks, barring any queries. If all is in order, the portal will issue a Digital Certificate of Incorporation and assign your unique Company Registration Number. You can download this certificate directly from the portal dashboard. Congratulations – your company is now legally registered in Nepal!
After incorporation, you must fulfill Nepal’s post-registration obligations:
Tax Registration: Obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from the Inland Revenue Office within 35 days. If your annual turnover is above NPR 2 million, register for VAT.
Social Security Fund (SSF): If you hire employees, register your company with Nepal’s Social Security Fund and enroll staff for social insurance contributions.
Annual Filings: Appoint an auditor and file annual audited financial statements and tax returns. Branch offices must follow Nepal Financial Reporting Standards and submit accounts to OCR/IRD. Corporate income is taxed at 25% (with sectoral variations).
Foreign Investment Compliance: Maintain records of foreign capital inflows. For profit repatriation or equity changes, obtain the required NRB approvals.
Staying compliant avoids penalties. Our firm can handle all these post-registration tasks – PAN/VAT registration, SSF enrollment, accounting filings, and liaison with tax authorities – so you remain focused on operations.
How can foreign companies register a business in Nepal?
Foreign firms use the OCR’s CAMIS portal. You start by creating an account and reserving a company name. Then you prepare and upload the MoA, AoA, shareholder IDs, and other documents, pay the fee, and submit. OCR reviews and issues a digital incorporation certificate. (For branches/liaisons, also secure DOI/NRB permissions first.)
What documents are needed for online company registration?
You need a drafted Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), the OCR Name Reservation Certificate, ID copies of all shareholders and directors (passport or Nepali citizenship), proof of company address, and often a Power of Attorney if using a local representative. Depending on your sector, you may also need pre-approvals from the Department of Industry or Investment Board.
How long does it take to register a company in Nepal?
Once you submit a complete application, the OCR typically processes it within a couple of weeks. By law, branch or liaison registrations must be finalized within 30 days. Name reservation is often instant. Delays usually occur only if additional information or corrections are requested by OCR. In practice, expect around 1–2 weeks for the full process if all paperwork is in order.
Can foreign investors fully own a company in Nepal?
Yes. Nepal generally permits up to 100% foreign ownership in most industries. You can incorporate a wholly foreign-owned private limited company via the OCR portal. Certain sectors (banking, telecom, media, etc.) have caps or require a local partner per the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA) and sector rules. It’s important to check if your business falls under any restricted category before finalizing ownership structure.
What are the registration fees for a new company?
Fees are based on authorized capital (rajaswa). For small companies (e.g. up to NPR 10 million capital) the OCR fee is roughly NPR 15,000. Larger capital attracts higher fees on a sliding scale (see OCR fee schedule). The fee is paid through the CAMIS portal or designated banks at submission time. Note: late filing penalties have been mostly waived (90% discount) by OCR’s recent announcement.
Registering a company in Nepal can be smooth with the right guidance. Our firm offers end-to-end registration and legal compliance services for foreign investors. We draft your legal documents, prepare applications, liaise with authorities, and handle all filings and taxes. Let us manage the OCR portal process on your behalf – saving you time and ensuring compliance at every step.
Get started today: contact our team to schedule a consultation. We will tailor the registration process to your needs, from reserving your company name to obtaining your incorporation certificate and beyond. Focus on your business goals; we’ll handle the paperwork and regulatory details.
In summary, Nepal’s online portal for company registration (OCR’s CAMIS system) enables a fully digital incorporation process. By following the steps above and leveraging expert support, foreign investors can establish a Nepali subsidiary, branch, liaison office, or joint venture quickly and confidently. Use the OCR portal to simplify your Nepal entry, and reach out if you need professional help making it happen.