The company registration process in Nepal has evolved rapidly in recent years. Foreign companies can now complete most steps online through government portals, reducing paperwork and delays. However, “online” does not mean “simple.” Nepal’s system blends digital filing with strict legal compliance under multiple laws.
This digital guide to the company registration process in Nepal is written specifically for foreign investors, founders and international businesses. It explains what can truly be done online, what still requires physical presence, and how to register compliantly without costly mistakes.
If you are planning to expand into Nepal in 2025 and beyond, this guide gives you a clear, authoritative roadmap.
Many foreign founders assume Nepal offers a fully end-to-end digital incorporation system. The reality is more nuanced.
Nepal uses a hybrid registration model:
Online name reservation and application filing
Digital submission of constitutional documents
Physical verification and approvals by regulators
Mandatory post-registration compliance filings
Understanding this distinction is critical for timeline and cost planning.
Foreign companies must comply with several overlapping laws. Online filing does not reduce legal obligations.
Companies Act, 2006
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020
Income Tax Act, 2002
Labour Act, 2017
Social Security Fund Act, 2018
The Office of Company Registrar (OCR) administers incorporation, while Department of Industry (DOI) and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) regulate foreign investment and capital flows.
Foreign investors must first select the correct legal structure.
Private Limited Company (most common)
Public Limited Company (rare for new entrants)
Branch Office
Liaison Office
For most SMEs and startups, a foreign-owned private limited company is the optimal structure.
This section provides the most searched and most misunderstood topic: how the company registration process in Nepal actually works online.
The process starts with online name approval.
Requirements
Proposed company name
Nature of business
Shareholding details
Names are checked against existing companies and restricted words.
Timeline: 1–3 working days
Foreign companies must prepare:
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
Passport copies of shareholders and directors
Board resolution from parent company (if applicable)
All documents must align with Nepalese company law.
Documents are uploaded through the OCR online system.
This includes:
Company details
Capital structure
Director information
Registered office address in Nepal
Errors at this stage are the most common cause of delays.
This step is not fully online but starts digitally.
Foreign companies must obtain:
Foreign investment approval under FITTA 2019
Clearance from Department of Industry
Sectors such as consulting, IT, outsourcing and manufacturing are commonly approved.
Once OCR and DOI approvals align, the Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
This legally creates the company.
Registration is not the end.
Mandatory post-registration steps include:
PAN registration with Inland Revenue Department
VAT registration if applicable
Bank account opening
NRB capital injection approval
SSF and labour compliance setup
Reserve company name online
Draft MOA and AOA
Submit incorporation documents digitally
Obtain foreign investment approval
Receive company registration certificate
Complete tax, banking and labour registrations
Foreign companies should plan realistically.
Name approval: 1–3 days
OCR filing review: 3–7 days
FITTA approval: 2–4 weeks
Post-registration setup: 1–2 weeks
Total expected timeline: 3–6 weeks
Below is a practical cost comparison foreign founders rarely see.
| Cost Component | Estimated Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government registration fees | 100–300 | Based on capital |
| FITTA approval fees | 200–500 | Sector dependent |
| Legal drafting & compliance | 1,000–2,500 | Strongly recommended |
| Banking & NRB approvals | 300–800 | Capital repatriation setup |
| Total Estimated Cost | 1,600–4,100 | Excluding capital |
Avoiding these errors saves months.
Assuming 100 percent online registration
Using generic MOA and AOA templates
Choosing prohibited or restricted sectors
Incorrect capital structuring
Ignoring labour and tax compliance
Approved quickly. Low regulatory friction.
Require clarity on employment and payroll compliance.
Additional environmental and industrial approvals required.
Must clearly define scope under FITTA.
Foreign companies must maintain ongoing compliance.
Annual return filing with OCR
Tax returns and withholding compliance
Labour contracts and SSF contributions
Audit and financial reporting
Non-compliance can result in fines, blacklisting or deregistration.
While portals are digital, decisions are discretionary.
A local expert helps you:
Structure capital correctly
Draft legally compliant documents
Navigate regulator expectations
Reduce approval risk
For foreign companies, DIY registration is high risk.
Yes, but only with the right guidance.
The company registration process in Nepal is faster and more transparent than before. However, it remains legally complex for foreign companies. A digital portal does not remove regulatory scrutiny.
With the right structure, Nepal offers:
Competitive operating costs
Skilled workforce
Favorable foreign investment laws
Planning to register a company in Nepal?
Speak with a Nepal-based corporate advisor who specializes in foreign company registration, compliance and post-incorporation support. A short consultation can save weeks of delay and thousands in rework.
No. Initial filing is online, but foreign investment approvals and banking steps still require physical verification and regulator interaction.
For foreign companies, the full process typically takes three to six weeks depending on sector and approvals.
Yes. FITTA 2019 allows 100 percent foreign ownership in approved sectors.
It varies by sector. Many service companies start from USD 20,000 equivalent, subject to approval.
No local director is mandatory, but a registered local address and compliance officer are required.