The cost of company registration in Nepal is one of the first questions foreign companies ask when exploring market entry.
And rightly so.
At first glance, Nepal looks affordable. Government fees appear modest. Online registration exists. Timelines seem short.
But the true cost goes beyond the headline number.
Company registration fees in Nepal include statutory government charges, documentation expenses, legal compliance steps, and post-registration obligations. Missing even one item can delay approvals or create compliance risk later.
This guide breaks down exactly what’s included in the cost of company registration in Nepal, with a foreign investor’s perspective. No fluff. No surprises. Just clarity.
When people talk about company registration costs, they often mix several different expenses.
In Nepal, the company registration fee is not a single payment. It is a bundle of costs spread across multiple authorities.
At a high level, it includes:
Company incorporation with the Office of the Company Registrar
Government stamp duties and filings
Tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department
Sector-specific approvals (if applicable)
Foreign investment approvals for overseas shareholders
Understanding each component helps you budget correctly.
The Office of the Company Registrar is where every company in Nepal is legally incorporated.
What’s included in the OCR fee:
Name reservation and approval
Company incorporation application review
Registration certificate issuance
Digital record creation
How fees are calculated
OCR fees are based on authorised capital, not paid-up capital.
Typical ranges:
Low capital companies pay minimal government fees
Higher capital structures pay incrementally higher fees
This tiered structure keeps Nepal accessible for startups and SMEs.
Stamp duty is mandatory for legally validating company documents.
Included in this cost:
Memorandum of Association stamping
Articles of Association stamping
Shareholder resolutions
Power of attorney (if foreign directors are involved)
These charges are relatively small but unavoidable.
After incorporation, your company must register with the Inland Revenue Department.
PAN (Permanent Account Number)
Mandatory for all companies. Required for tax filings, payroll, and banking.
VAT registration
Required only if your turnover exceeds the statutory threshold or if you operate in VAT-applicable sectors.
Costs include:
Application filing
Compliance documentation preparation
Verification process
Government fees are minimal, but preparation accuracy matters.
If even one shareholder is non-Nepali, your registration cost structure changes.
Foreign companies must obtain approval under Nepal’s foreign investment framework.
This step includes:
Foreign investment application submission
Project profile and financial projections
Shareholding and capital structure review
Approval issuance
This is often the largest cost component for foreign companies due to advisory and compliance requirements.
Some sectors require additional approvals before operations begin.
Examples include:
IT and software exports
Financial services
Education and training
Tourism and hospitality
Each license adds to the total cost of company registration in Nepal.
Many foreign investors underestimate costs because certain items are excluded from basic registration packages.
These are not usually included unless specified:
Office lease and registration
Bank account opening support
Employment contracts and HR setup
Social security registration
Ongoing tax filings
Annual compliance renewals
Knowing this upfront prevents budget overruns.
These occur only once during setup.
OCR incorporation fees
Stamp duties
Foreign investment approval
Initial licenses
These recur annually or monthly.
Tax filings
Audit fees
Company renewals
Labour and social security compliance
Foreign companies should budget for both categories.
Here’s a simplified view of what your registration fee usually covers.
Included components:
Legal incorporation
Government filings
Statutory certificates
Tax identity creation
Excluded components:
Advisory strategy
Regulatory structuring
Post-registration compliance
Operational setup
Understanding this distinction helps compare service providers fairly.
| Cost Category | Government Only | Basic Service | Full-Service (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCR registration | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Stamp duty | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| PAN registration | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Foreign investment approval | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Legal documentation | ✖ | Limited | ✔ |
| Compliance roadmap | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Risk mitigation | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
Insight:
Foreign companies almost always benefit from full-service support due to regulatory complexity.
Common reasons include:
Assuming government fees are the total cost
Ignoring foreign investment approval requirements
Overlooking post-registration compliance
Choosing the wrong company structure
Underestimating documentation complexity
Each mistake increases long-term costs.
Your chosen structure directly affects fees and approvals.
Most common for foreign investors
Moderate registration cost
Scalable and compliant
Higher regulatory scrutiny
Limited permitted activities
Different cost structure
Rarely suitable for foreign ownership
Limited legal protection
Choosing correctly reduces both cost and risk.
Even with transparent pricing, some costs appear later.
Watch out for:
Document notarisation abroad
Translation fees
Bank compliance requirements
Capital repatriation structuring
Regulatory updates
Planning early avoids friction.
You can reduce costs legally by:
Selecting appropriate authorised capital
Choosing the right entity type
Preparing documents correctly the first time
Using experienced advisors
Aligning business activities with permitted sectors
Cheap setups often become expensive later.
Nepal’s regulatory environment is clear but procedural.
Authorities prioritise:
Transparent ownership
Legitimate capital sources
Compliance with labour and tax laws
Long-term operational intent
Cutting corners during registration increases compliance risk later.
It includes government incorporation fees, stamp duties, company certificates, and tax registration. For foreign companies, it also includes foreign investment approval. Operational and compliance costs are usually excluded.
Yes. Foreign shareholders require additional approvals and documentation, increasing the overall cost compared to local companies.
Government fees are usually the smallest part. Advisory, compliance, and approval processes often form the largest portion for foreign companies.
Yes. The Office of the Company Registrar allows online filing. However, foreign investment approvals and documentation still require offline coordination.
Local companies may complete registration within weeks. Foreign-owned companies typically take longer due to approval processes.
The cost of company registration in Nepal is not just a number.
It is a combination of legal compliance, regulatory approvals, and long-term operational readiness.
Foreign companies that budget accurately from day one avoid delays, penalties, and restructuring costs later.
If you plan carefully, Nepal remains one of South Asia’s most cost-effective expansion destinations.
If you’re exploring market entry, foreign investment approval, or compliant company registration:
Speak with a Nepal market entry specialist before you commit.
A short consultation can save months of delay and unnecessary expense.