Company registration in Nepal is the legal foundation for any limited liability business operating in the country. The process of business registration is administered and regulated by the Office of the Company Registrar (“OCR”) under the Companies Act, 2063 (2006). Completing company registration in Nepal creates a distinct legal entity, separate from its owners, that can sign contracts, own assets, open bank accounts, hire employees, and sue or be sued in its own name. Formalizing your business through OCR registration also gives shareholders limited liability protection, meaning personal assets are shielded from business debts and liabilities.
This article guide the complete process of starting a business in Nepal, covering company types, required documents, government fees, timelines, and post-registration compliance, so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.
1. Legal Framework Behind Company Registration in Nepal
The process of business registration in Nepal is governed by:
- The Companies Act, 2063 (2006)
- The Companies Directives, 2072 (2015)
2. Types of Companies You Can Register in Nepal
Before starting the business registration process, it’s important to choose the right legal structure, since this determines your minimum capital, promoter requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations.
a. Private Limited Company. This is the most common structure chosen by startups, consultancies, IT firms, trading businesses, and small-to-medium enterprises. A private limited company in Nepal requires a minimum of 1 promoter and can have up to 101 promoters.
b. Public Limited Company. A public limited company requires a minimum of 7 promoters and NPR 1 crore (10 million) in paid-up capital, making it suited to larger enterprises seeking public investment.
c. Profit-Not-Distributing Company. Used by organizations such as schools, research bodies, and social enterprises that operate without distributing dividends to members.
3. Step-by-Step Company Registration Process in Nepal (via CAMIS)
The entire process of registering the Company in Nepal is now handled through the OCR’s online CAMIS portal. Here is how it works, step by step.
Step 1: Create a CAMIS Account:
Register on camis.ocr.gov.np using a valid email address and a Nepali mobile number for OTP verification.
Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name
Submit your proposed company name. The OCR checks it against existing registrations and restricted words. Approval usually takes 1 to 3 working days, and the reserved name stays valid for 90 days.
Step 3: Draft the Memorandum of Association (“MOA”) and Articles of Association (“AOA”)
The MOA defines the company’s objectives and authorized capital, while the AOA sets out the rules governing its internal management and administration. Both documents must be drafted by a licensed advocate.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
CAMIS provides a 90-day window from name approval to upload all documents needed for company registration.
Step 5: Pay the Government Registration Fee
Fees are calculated based on proposed authorized capital and can be paid online via Connect IPS, eSewa, Khalti, or bank transfer.
Step 6: Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation
Once the OCR reviews and approves the application, it issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation along with the verified MOA, AOA, and an incorporation letter bearing a QR code completing the core company registration process.
Step 7: Obtain a PAN Registration Certificate
After registration, the required details for PAN registration are submitted through the CAMIS portal, which then generates the PAN Registration Certificate directly.
Step 8: Register the Business with the Concerned Local Government
The company must register with the relevant local (ward) authority, paying the applicable business registration fee and rental tax based on the nature of the business and its premises.
Step 9: Open a Company Bank Account
Finally, the company opens an account with a local bank to begin operating.
4. OCR Company Registration Fees in Nepal
Government fees for company registration are tiered by authorized capital.
a. Private Limited Company
Authorized Capital | Registration Fee |
Up to NPR 100,000 | NPR 1,000 |
NPR 100,001 – NPR 500,000 | NPR 4,500 |
NPR 500,001 – NPR 2,500,000 | NPR 9,500 |
NPR 2,500,001 – NPR 10,000,000 | NPR 16,000 |
NPR 10,000,001 – NPR 20,000,000 | NPR 19,000 |
NPR 20,000,001 – NPR 30,000,000 | NPR 22,000 |
NPR 30,000,001 – NPR 40,000,000 | NPR 25,000 |
NPR 40,000,001 – NPR 50,000,000 | NPR 28,000 |
NPR 50,000,001 – NPR 60,000,000 | NPR 31,000 |
NPR 60,000,001 – NPR 70,000,000 | NPR 34,000 |
NPR 70,000,001 – NPR 80,000,000 | NPR 37,000 |
NPR 80,000,001 – NPR 90,000,000 | NPR 40,000 |
NPR 90,000,001 – NPR 100,000,000 | NPR 43,000 |
Above NPR 100,000,000 | NPR 30 per additional NPR 100,000 |
b. Public Limited Company
Authorized Capital | Registration Fee |
Up to NPR 100,000,000 | NPR 15,000 |
NPR 100,000,001 – NPR 1,000,000,000 | NPR 40,000 |
NPR 1,000,000,001 – NPR 2,000,000,000 | NPR 70,000 |
NPR 2,000,000,001 – NPR 3,000,000,000 | NPR 100,000 |
NPR 3,000,000,001 – NPR 4,000,000,000 | NPR 130,000 |
NPR 4,000,000,001 – NPR 5,000,000,000 | NPR 160,000 |
Above NPR 5,000,000,000 | NPR 3,000 per additional NPR 100,000,000 |
c. Profit-Not-Distributing Company
A flat registration fee of NPR 15,000 applies regardless of capital.
4. Required Documents
a. Documents for company registration in Nepal:
- Signed copies of the MOA, AOA, and company registration application
- Notarized copies of citizenship certificates of all promoters or shareholders (both sides)
- National Identity (“NID”) numbers of all promoters or shareholders
- Copies of citizenship certificates of the witnesses for each promoter or shareholder
- Personal PAN certificates of all promoters/shareholders
b.Documents for registering the business with the local government: - Copy of the duly signed rental agreement
- Copy of the land or house ownership certificate
- Copy of the citizenship certificate of the landlord or house owner
- Board resolution
- Latest property tax payment receipt
- Company incorporation certificate, and verified MOA and AOA issued by the OCR
6. Post-Registration Compliance after Company Registration in Nepal
a. At the OCR:
- Submission of the first compliance document within 90 days of registration
- Appointment of an auditor for the current fiscal year
- Submission of the annual financial statement, certified by the auditor, within six months of the end of the financial year (following the Annual General Meeting)
b. At the Inland Revenue Office:
- Submission of the audit report within three months of the end of the financial year
c. At the Ward Office:
Renewal of the business registration within three months of the end of the financial year
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with our legal team for advice specific to your situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About 7 working days for a purely Nepali-owned company.
Yes. The OCR’s CAMIS portal supports name reservation, document upload, fee payment, and digital certificate issuance, though some cases may require limited physical verification.
Private limited company, public limited company, profit-not-distributing company, and foreign companies operating via a branch office or liaison office.
An application form, notarized MOA and AOA, citizenship certificates and NID numbers of shareholders, witness citizenship copies, Personal PAN of the shareholder.
Government fees are depends on the authorized capital of the Company
90 days from approval the application must be completed within this window, or the name must be reserved again.
Yes, for every promoter and shareholder; applications without it are typically rejected.
PAN registration, VAT registration (if applicable), ward office registration, opening a corporate bank account, appointing an auditor, and AGMs.