Company incorporation Nepal has become faster, more transparent, and largely digital thanks to the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) online portal.
For foreign companies entering Nepal in 2026, understanding how online company incorporation in Nepal works is no longer optional. It is essential.
This guide explains, in clear and practical terms, how foreign investors can register a company in Nepal through the OCR portal, what can and cannot be done online, timelines, costs, legal requirements, and common pitfalls. It is written for founders, CFOs, and legal teams who want accuracy, not guesswork.
Online company incorporation in Nepal refers to the digital filing and processing of company registration applications through the OCR portal.
The Office of the Company Registrar, under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, operates this portal pursuant to the Companies Act, 2006.
Through the portal, applicants can:
Reserve a company name
Submit incorporation documents
Pay government registration fees
Download digital registration certificates
However, foreign company incorporation in Nepal still involves additional offline and regulatory approvals, which we explain later.
Company incorporation Nepal is governed by multiple laws and regulations. The most relevant include:
Companies Act, 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020
Income Tax Act, 2002
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Foreign Exchange Directives
These laws collectively define:
Who can incorporate a company
Permissible sectors for foreign investment
Capital requirements
Reporting and compliance obligations
The OCR portal can be used by:
Nepali citizens
Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs)
Foreign companies and foreign nationals
Foreign companies can file incorporation documents online, but:
FDI approval is not granted by OCR
Capital remittance approval is not issued by OCR
Banking and NRB approvals remain separate
This is a common area of confusion.
Foreign investors typically choose one of the following structures:
Most common structure for foreign direct investment.
Key features:
Minimum 1 shareholder
Maximum 101 shareholders
Limited liability
Fully allowed for FDI in approved sectors
Used for large investments or regulated industries.
Not incorporated under the Companies Act but registered via OCR after approvals.
This guide focuses on private limited company incorporation in Nepal, as it is the most relevant for foreign companies.
Applicants must first create a user account on the OCR online system.
Required details:
Applicant name
Email address
Mobile number
Identification details
Foreign applicants usually appoint a local authorized representative for portal access.
Name reservation is mandatory.
Rules include:
Name must not be identical or deceptively similar
Certain words require regulatory approval
Sector-specific restrictions apply
Approval typically takes 1–3 working days.
The following documents are uploaded online:
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
Shareholder and director details
Passport copies (foreign nationals)
Board resolutions (foreign corporate shareholders)
All documents must align with Companies Act, 2006 requirements.
Once documents are ready:
Forms are completed online
PDFs are uploaded
Government fees are calculated automatically
Errors at this stage cause most delays.
Fees depend on authorized capital, not paid-up capital.
Payment is made through:
Online banking
Connected payment gateways
OCR officers review the application.
Possible outcomes:
Approved
Returned for clarification
Rejected with reasons
Most applications are approved within 3–7 working days if documents are correct.
Once approved:
Certificate of Incorporation is issued digitally
PAN registration can be initiated
Company legally exists
This completes the online portion of company incorporation Nepal.
This is critical.
Foreign company incorporation in Nepal does not end with OCR registration.
You still need:
FDI approval from Department of Industry or IBN
NRB approval for capital repatriation
Bank account opening
Capital injection certification
Sector-specific licenses
Ignoring this leads to non-compliance.
| Aspect | OCR Online Portal | Traditional Manual Process |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | Online | Physical filing |
| Document submission | Digital | Paper-based |
| Fee payment | Online | Bank drafts |
| Transparency | High | Low |
| Processing speed | Faster | Slower |
| Error tracking | Real-time | Manual follow-up |
Insight:
The OCR portal reduces administrative friction but does not replace regulatory approvals for foreign investment.
A realistic timeline breakdown:
Name reservation: 1–3 days
OCR incorporation approval: 3–7 days
FDI approval: 7–21 days
NRB clearance and bank setup: 7–14 days
Total practical timeline: 3–6 weeks
Government fees are based on authorized capital.
Typical OCR registration fees:
NPR 1 million capital: approx. NPR 9,500
NPR 5 million capital: approx. NPR 25,000
NPR 10 million capital: approx. NPR 40,000
Additional costs include:
Legal drafting
FDI processing
Tax registration
Compliance setup
Avoid these frequent errors:
Assuming OCR registration equals FDI approval
Using generic MOA/AOA templates
Selecting restricted investment sectors
Misstating authorized capital
Ignoring NRB reporting obligations
These mistakes delay operations and raise regulatory risk.
Company incorporation Nepal creates ongoing obligations.
These include:
Annual returns to OCR
Tax filings with Inland Revenue Department
Audit and financial statements
FDI reporting to NRB
Non-compliance can lead to penalties or deregistration.
Despite limitations, benefits are clear:
Faster incorporation
Transparent tracking
Reduced paperwork
Digital records
Predictable timelines
For foreign companies, the portal is a strong foundation when combined with proper advisory support.
You should seek expert help if:
Your investment exceeds NPR 50 million
Your sector is regulated
You need profit repatriation
You want tax-efficient structuring
Professional guidance reduces risk and accelerates setup.
If you are planning company incorporation in Nepal and want a compliant, fast, and future-proof setup, speak with an expert team that handles OCR registration, FDI approval, NRB compliance, and post-incorporation support end-to-end.
👉 Book a free consultation today to start your Nepal expansion the right way.
Foreigners can complete OCR registration online, but FDI and NRB approvals remain offline and regulatory.
OCR approval usually takes 3–7 working days if documents are correct.
No physical presence is required for OCR filing, but local representation is recommended.
Operations can start only after tax registration and required sector approvals.
Yes. All company incorporations must be filed through the OCR portal.