Registering Your Business Name in Nepal: Step-by-Step

If you plan to start a business in Nepal, registering your business name is the first legal milestone.
For foreign companies, this step determines whether you can incorporate, invest, hire, open bank accounts, or repatriate profits.

Nepal’s company-name rules are strict, process-driven, and fully regulated by law.
Choosing the wrong name or filing it incorrectly can delay your entire market-entry plan.

This guide explains exactly how foreign companies register a business name in Nepal, what the regulators check, how long it takes, and how to avoid common rejections.
It is written for founders, CFOs, legal teams, and expansion managers who want certainty, speed, and compliance.

Why Business Name Registration Matters When You Start a Business in Nepal

Your business name is not branding alone.
In Nepal, it is a regulated legal identity.

A registered name allows you to:

• Incorporate a Private Limited Company or public company

• Apply for Foreign Direct Investment approval

• Open a corporate bank account

• Sign leases and contracts

• Hire staff and register for tax and social security

Without an approved name, nothing else can move forward.

Legal Authority Governing Business Name Registration in Nepal

When foreign companies start a business in Nepal, name registration is regulated by:

• Companies Act, 2006

• Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) directives

• Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020

• FITTA 2019 for foreign investors

The Office of the Company Registrar is the sole authority approving company names.

Who Must Register a Business Name in Nepal?

You must register a business name if you are:

• A foreign company incorporating a Nepal subsidiary

• A foreign investor entering via FDI

• A joint venture with Nepali partners

• A local entity reserved for future foreign investment

Freelancers and sole proprietors follow different rules and are not covered here.

Types of Business Names Allowed in Nepal

Before you start a business in Nepal, you must understand name categories.

Permitted Name Structures

Your name must be:

• Distinct and non-misleading

• Not identical or confusingly similar to existing entities

• Aligned with your approved business activities

Restricted Words and Phrases

Certain words require prior approvals or are prohibited.

Commonly restricted terms include:

• Bank, finance, insurance, cooperative

• Government, national, authority

• University, academy, council

Using these words without approval leads to automatic rejection.

Step-by-Step: How to Register a Business Name in Nepal

Step 1: Conduct a Name Availability Search

Before filing anything, check whether your proposed name is already registered.

The Company Registrar database is authoritative.
Similarity in spelling, pronunciation, or meaning can trigger rejection.

Best practice: Prepare 2 to 3 alternative names.

Step 2: Align the Name With Business Objectives

Nepal regulators assess whether the name matches the stated business activities.

For example:

• A technology name cannot be used for trading

• A consulting name cannot be used for manufacturing

Your Memorandum of Association and name must align.

Step 3: Prepare Required Information

To start a business in Nepal, you must submit:

• Proposed company name

• Business objectives

• Registered office address in Nepal

• Shareholding structure

• Details of promoters and foreign shareholders

Foreign documents must be notarized and legalized.

Step 4: File the Name Reservation Application

The application is submitted electronically to the Office of the Company Registrar.

Processing time is typically 1 to 3 working days.

If approved, the name is reserved temporarily for incorporation.

Step 5: Respond to Objections or Clarifications

If the Registrar raises questions, you must respond promptly.

Common objections relate to:

• Name similarity

• Restricted words

• Activity mismatch

Delays occur when responses are incomplete or poorly justified.

Step 6: Secure Name Approval Certificate

Once approved, you receive a formal name approval confirmation.

This certificate allows you to proceed with:

• Company incorporation

• FDI approval

• Bank account opening

Without this, no downstream approvals are possible.

Timeline: How Long Does Name Registration Take?

Well-prepared applications often complete in under a week.

Common Reasons Business Names Are Rejected in Nepal

Foreign companies starting a business in Nepal often face rejection due to:

• Names similar to existing companies

• Generic or misleading terminology

• Use of regulated words without approval

• Mismatch between name and objectives

• Incomplete foreign documentation

Professional pre-screening reduces rejection risk significantly.

Business Name Rules for Foreign-Owned Companies

Foreign companies must pay extra attention to:

• English language accuracy

• Global brand alignment

• Trademark considerations

• Nepal-specific naming conventions

Registering a name in Nepal does not automatically grant trademark protection.

Business Name vs Trademark in Nepal

This distinction is critical when you start a business in Nepal.

Company Name Registration

• Approved by the Company Registrar

• Grants legal incorporation rights

• Does not prevent others from using similar brand names

Trademark Registration

• Approved by the Department of Industry

• Protects branding and logos

• Separate process from incorporation

Smart investors register both.

Sector-Specific Name Restrictions

Some sectors require additional clearance:

• Banking and financial services

• Insurance and microfinance

• Education and healthcare

• Telecommunications

If your name implies regulated activity, approvals are mandatory.

Name Reservation Validity Period

Name approval is not permanent.

Typically:

• Valid for incorporation within a limited period

• Expired reservations require re-application

Delays in FDI approval can cause name lapses if not managed.

Foreign Investor Tips When Registering a Business Name in Nepal

When you start a business in Nepal as a foreign company:

• Avoid overly broad names

• Keep objectives precise

• Align name with long-term expansion plans

• Prepare legalization early

• Use local compliance advisors

These steps save weeks of back-and-forth.

Compliance Checklist Before Submitting a Name

• Name uniqueness verified

• Objectives clearly defined

• Restricted words reviewed

• Foreign documents legalized

• Shareholding structure finalized

Skipping any item increases rejection risk.

Frequently Asked Questions: Start a Business in Nepal

Can a foreign company reserve a business name in Nepal?

Yes. Foreign investors can reserve a company name before incorporation, provided ownership and objectives are disclosed accurately.

How many names can I submit at once?

You may propose multiple alternatives, but approval is granted to only one name at a time.

Is English allowed for company names in Nepal?

Yes. Most foreign-owned companies register names in English.

Does name registration mean the company is incorporated?

No. Name registration is only the first step. Incorporation requires additional filings.

Can my approved name be rejected later?

Yes. If incorporation documents conflict with the approved name, authorities may revoke approval.

Why Professional Support Matters

Registering a business name seems simple.
In practice, it is one of the most common bottlenecks for foreign companies entering Nepal.

Errors at this stage delay:

• FDI approvals

• Hiring timelines

• Bank account opening

• Market entry

Professional guidance reduces regulatory friction.

Conclusion: Start a Business in Nepal With Confidence

To start a business in Nepal, registering your business name correctly is non-negotiable.

It sets the legal foundation for incorporation, investment, hiring, and growth.
With proper planning, compliance, and expert handling, the process is fast and predictable.

Foreign companies that get this step right enter Nepal with clarity and confidence.

Ready to Register Your Business Name in Nepal?

If you are planning to start a business in Nepal, our team supports foreign companies with:

• Name reservation and incorporation

• FDI structuring and approvals

• Tax, payroll, and compliance setup

• Employer of Record and scaling

Book a consultation today and start your Nepal expansion the right way.