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.
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.
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.
Foreign founders increasingly prefer the online route for three reasons.
Name checks that once took days now complete within hours.
Applicants can monitor file status digitally, reducing uncertainty.
Reduced dependency on physical visits and manual follow-ups.
That said, success still depends on document accuracy and regulatory alignment, not just digital submission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Upon approval, the OCR issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation.
Your company legally exists at this stage.
Foreign companies must prepare more documentation than local firms.
• 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
| Aspect | Local Company | Foreign-Owned Company |
|---|---|---|
| OCR filing | Online | Online |
| Additional approval | No | Yes (FDI approval) |
| Document authentication | Not required | Apostille required |
| Capital verification | Simple | Strict |
| Timeline | 7–10 days | 25–45 days |
This distinction explains why foreign companies often underestimate timelines.
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.
A realistic timeline looks like this:
Document preparation and apostille: 7–14 days
Name reservation and OCR filing: 3–5 days
FDI approval: 15–30 days
Company incorporation certificate: 3–5 days
Total average timeline: 25–45 days
Fast-track cases are possible with clean documentation.
Foreign applicants frequently face delays due to avoidable issues.
• 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.
Government fees are relatively modest, but compliance costs add up.
• 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. OCR filing is digital. However, FDI approvals, banking, and tax compliance still require offline coordination.
Most foreign-owned companies complete registration within 25–45 days, depending on FDI approval and document readiness.
Yes. FITTA 2019 permits full foreign ownership in many approved sectors.
No. A Power of Attorney allows local representatives to complete the process.
You must complete tax registration, capital reporting, labour compliance, and annual audits to remain compliant.