How to Register a Company in Nepal: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Registering a company in Nepal is a multi-step process governed primarily by the Companies Act 2063. This guide covers the key stages every founder should know.

The first step is name reservation at the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR). You submit your proposed company name along with the proposed shareholding structure and nature of business. OCR typically processes name reservations within 3 to 7 working days.

Once the name is reserved, you file the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA) along with shareholder details and capital structure. A registration fee is paid based on your authorized capital. The company certificate is usually issued within 5 to 10 working days.

After receiving the company registration certificate, you must register for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). If your projected annual turnover exceeds NPR 5 million (goods) or NPR 2 million (services), VAT registration is also required.

You will also need to obtain a ward-level business operating licence from your local municipality or metropolitan city office. Some sectors require sector-specific licences from relevant government regulators.

For foreign-invested companies, additional approvals from the Department of Industry (DOI) and the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) are required under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA) 2075.

The entire process typically takes 3 to 6 weeks when documents are prepared correctly. We assist clients through every stage, from name reservation to obtaining the first operating licence.