Nova Law

Business Visa in Nepal: Complete Guide for Foreign Investors

Background:

Foreign investors, shareholders, business representatives, and their family members need to know about obtaining a Business Visa in Nepal, including eligibility, legal provisions, required documents, visa duration, fees, renewal process, and step-by-step procedures.

Laws Governing Business Visa in Nepal

Business Visas in Nepal are regulated under the following laws:

  • Immigration Act, 1992 (2049 BS)
  • Immigration Rules, 1994 (2051 BS)
  • Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019 (2075 BS)
  • Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Rules, 2021 (2077 BS)

Governing Authorities for Business Visa

The following government authorities are involved in the Business Visa process in Nepal:

Authority

Scope

Department of Industry (DOI)

The Department of Industry issues the recommendation letter required for obtaining the Business Visa.

Department of Immigration

The Department of Immigration grants and extends the Business Visa in Nepal.

Eligibility for Business Visa in Nepal

Under Rule 9 of the Immigration Rules, the following foreign nationals are eligible for a Business Visa in Nepal:

  1. Foreign investors or their authorized representatives who have obtained approval to invest in commercial or industrial enterprises in Nepal.
  1. Foreign nationals who have obtained permission or license to conduct export-related business from Nepal.
  2. Foreign nationals visiting Nepal from third countries for purchasing Nepalese products for export or placing export purchase orders.

Procedure to obtain Business Visa in Nepal

Step 1: Obtain Business Visa Recommendation Letter

The foreign investor or authorized representative must apply to the Department of Industry for a Business Visa recommendation letter.

Step 2: Business Visa Issuance

After obtaining the recommendation letter, the Department of Immigration grants the Business Visa.

The Business Visa is not granted for a long duration at once. The visa period depends upon the progress of the Business in Nepal. The details of the visa period, government fees, and required documents for each stage are described below:

S.N.

Steps-wise procedure

Period of visa granted upon completion of the respective steps.

Government fee (NPR)

Required documents

1.

Drafting required documents and obtaining FDI approval from the department of industry (“DOI”)

6 month business Visa:

Upon completion of FDI approval and Company registration, additional 3 month visa will be granted.

 

i.       Project Report

ii.      Passport copies(Notarized)

iii.    Joint Venture agreement (applicable for multiple investor)

iv.     Financial Credibility Certificate (Notarized)

v.      Memorandum of Association

vi.     Article of Association

vii.   Incorporation documents of the investment company (if the investor are entity) (Notarized)

2.

Drafting of the required documents and registration of the company at the Office of the Company Registrar (“OCR”).

Depends on the proposed authorized capital of the company.

3.

Registration of the Industry at the DOI.

Additional 3 month business Visa:
Upon completion Industry registration,

Completion tax registration, opening of bank account, and pre-notification at the NRB, additional 6 month visa will be granted.

NPR 20,000
as a bank guarantee

4.

Tax registration at Inland Revenue Office (“IRD“)

N/A

5.

Opening of the bank account of the company

N/A

6.

Pre-notification of the remittance of the investment by the investor at the NRB.

N/A

7.

Remittance of Investment amount, Obtaining Share Registry Certificate and Recording of the remitted investment amount at the NRB.

Additional 6-12 month of business visa each time:

Upon remittance of the investment amount, issuance of the Share Registry Certificate, and recording of the investment amount, a business visa may be extended for an additional period of 6 to 12 months each time, depending on the proportion of the injected investment amount against the total approved FDI amount.

N/A

Business Visa Fees in Nepal

The Business Visa fee is applicable separately in addition to the government and regulatory fees mentioned above.

Investment Amount (NPR)

1 Month (USD)

1 Year (USD)

5 Years (USD)

NPR 100 million or Less than NPR 100 million

USD 35

USD 400

USD 1,000

More than NPR 100 million

USD 20

USD 200

USD 500

More than NPR 1000 million

No charge

No charge

No charge

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