Register Your Company Online in Nepal: What You Need to Know

Online company registration Nepal has transformed how foreign companies enter the Nepali market. What once required weeks of physical filings can now be initiated digitally through the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR).

For international founders, investors, and CFOs, the opportunity is clear. Nepal offers a cost-competitive workforce, growing digital adoption, and a formal FDI framework under FITTA 2019. But the process still involves multiple regulators, compliance checkpoints, and local documentation standards.

This guide explains everything you need to know. You will learn how online registration works, what foreign companies must prepare, how long it takes, and how to avoid common mistakes that delay approval.

What Does Online Company Registration in Nepal Mean?

Online company registration in Nepal refers to the digital incorporation process managed by the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR). The system allows promoters to submit applications, reserve company names, upload documents, and track approval status online.

However, “online” does not mean automatic approval. Foreign companies must still comply with:

• 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 OCR portal digitises filings, but regulatory scrutiny remains rigorous.

Who Can Use Online Company Registration in Nepal?

Online registration is available to:

• Foreign companies setting up a Private Limited Company
• Joint ventures with Nepali shareholders
• Wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries (subject to sector approval)
• Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs)

It is not suitable for informal representative offices or unregistered liaison arrangements.

Why Foreign Companies Choose Online Company Registration in Nepal

Foreign founders increasingly prefer the online route for three reasons.

1. Faster name reservation and filing

Name checks that once took days now complete within hours.

2. Transparent tracking

Applicants can monitor file status digitally, reducing uncertainty.

3. Lower administrative friction

Reduced dependency on physical visits and manual follow-ups.

That said, success still depends on document accuracy and regulatory alignment, not just digital submission.

Step-by-Step Online Company Registration Process in Nepal

Step 1: Name Reservation via OCR Portal

You begin by applying for a company name through the OCR system.

Key rules:
• Name must be unique
• No similarity to existing companies
• Restricted terms require justification

Approval usually takes 1–3 working days.

Step 2: Prepare Constitutional Documents

Foreign companies must upload:

• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Articles of Association (AOA)

These documents must reflect:
• Shareholding structure
• Foreign investment percentage
• Business objectives aligned with FITTA

Errors here are the most common cause of rejection.

Step 3: Upload Foreign Investor Documents

Each foreign shareholder must submit:

• Certificate of Incorporation (home country)
• Board resolution approving Nepal investment
• Passport copies of directors and shareholders
• Power of Attorney to local representative

All documents must be notarised and apostilled.

Step 4: Submit Online Application to OCR

Once documents are uploaded, the application is submitted digitally.

OCR officers review:
• Legal compliance
• Sector eligibility
• Capital structure

Clarifications may be requested through the portal.

Step 5: Company Registration Certificate Issued

Upon approval, the OCR issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation.
Your company legally exists at this stage.

Documents Required for Online Company Registration in Nepal

Foreign companies must prepare more documentation than local firms.

Mandatory documents checklist

• Proposed company name
• MOA and AOA
• Foreign investor incorporation certificate
• Board resolution for Nepal investment
• Passport copies of shareholders and directors
• Nepali office address details
• Power of Attorney

How Online Registration Differs for Foreign Companies vs Local Companies

This distinction explains why foreign companies often underestimate timelines.

FDI Approval: The Missing Piece in Online Company Registration Nepal

Online OCR registration is only one part of foreign entry.

Foreign companies must also secure approval from:
• Department of Industry (DOI) or
• Investment Board Nepal (for large projects)

This step validates:
• Sector eligibility
• Investment amount
• Technology transfer elements

Without FDI approval, OCR registration alone is insufficient.

Timeline for Online Company Registration in Nepal (Foreign Companies)

A realistic timeline looks like this:

1. Document preparation and apostille: 7–14 days

2. Name reservation and OCR filing: 3–5 days

3. FDI approval: 15–30 days

4. Company incorporation certificate: 3–5 days

Total average timeline: 25–45 days

Fast-track cases are possible with clean documentation.

Common Mistakes That Delay Online Company Registration Nepal

Foreign applicants frequently face delays due to avoidable issues.

Most common errors

• Business objectives too broad or vague
• Improper apostille formatting
• Shareholding mismatch across documents
• Incorrect capital declaration
• Sector restrictions ignored

These errors trigger repeated clarification cycles.

Costs Involved in Online Company Registration in Nepal

Government fees are relatively modest, but compliance costs add up.

Typical cost components

• OCR registration fee
• Name reservation fee
• FDI application fee
• Notarisation and apostille costs
• Professional advisory fees

Total cost varies based on capital size and structure.

Post-Registration Compliance After Online Company Registration Nepal

Registration is only the beginning.

Foreign companies must complete:

• PAN and VAT registration
• Bank account opening
• Capital inflow reporting to Nepal Rastra Bank
• Social Security Fund enrollment
• Monthly tax compliance
• Annual audit

Failure here leads to penalties and repatriation restrictions.

Why Online Registration Alone Is Not Enough for Foreign Companies

Many founders assume OCR approval equals operational readiness.

In reality, you cannot:
• Hire employees
• Repatriate profits
• Remit salaries abroad

without completing tax, labour, and NRB compliance.

Online registration simplifies entry. It does not replace governance.

Strategic Advantage of Getting Online Company Registration Right

When structured correctly, Nepal offers:

• 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors
• Competitive operational costs
• Access to skilled English-speaking talent
• Legal profit repatriation under FITTA 2019

The advantage lies in compliance-first structuring, not shortcuts.

When to Use an Employer of Record Before Online Company Registration

Many foreign companies start with an Employer of Record (EOR) model.

Benefits:
• Immediate hiring
• No entity setup
• Lower regulatory exposure

Later, they transition to online company registration once scale is proven.

This phased approach reduces early risk.

Final Thoughts on Online Company Registration Nepal

Online company registration Nepal has made market entry more accessible, but not simpler. The system rewards preparation, accuracy, and regulatory understanding.

Foreign companies that succeed treat online filing as a legal process, not a technical formality. With the right structure, Nepal can become a powerful regional hub.

Call to Action

Planning to register your company online in Nepal?
Speak with a Nepal-based compliance specialist before you file.

👉 Book a free consultation to review your structure, documents, and timeline before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)

Is online company registration in Nepal fully digital?

Yes. OCR filing is digital. However, FDI approvals, banking, and tax compliance still require offline coordination.

How long does online company registration in Nepal take for foreigners?

Most foreign-owned companies complete registration within 25–45 days, depending on FDI approval and document readiness.

Can a foreigner own 100 percent of a Nepali company?

Yes. FITTA 2019 permits full foreign ownership in many approved sectors.

Is physical presence required during registration?

No. A Power of Attorney allows local representatives to complete the process.

What happens after online registration is completed?

You must complete tax registration, capital reporting, labour compliance, and annual audits to remain compliant.