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Business visas in Nepal are intended for foreign investors or businessmen looking to engage in both direct and indirect investments. The process for obtaining a business visa depends on the duration of the business, the financial value of the investment, and the amount that foreign investors are willing to invest.
The primary laws regulating business visas in Nepal include:
Immigration Act, 1992
Immigration Rules, 1994
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019
Yes, according to Section 3 of the Immigration Act, foreigners must hold a valid visa and passport to enter and stay in Nepal. The Immigration Rules categorize various types of visas, such as:
Diplomatic Visa
Official Visa
Tourist Visa
Study Visa
Non-tourist Visa
Business Visa
Transit Visa
Non-residential Visa
Residential Visa
Eligibility for a business visa in Nepal includes:
Foreigners who have received approval for investment in trade or industry in Nepal or their authorized representatives.
Foreigners approved for investment to conduct export trade from Nepal.
Foreigners from third countries who wish to purchase and export goods made in Nepal or place purchase orders for exports.
The Department of Immigration is the authority responsible for the issuance, regulation, and renewal of business visas.
The steps to acquire a business visa are as follows:
Obtain a recommendation letter from the Department of Industry (DOI) or the relevant governmental agency.
The DOI will conduct an inspection before issuing the recommendation.
The Department of Immigration will grant the business visa based on this recommendation.
To apply for a business visa, you must submit the following documents to the Immigration Department:
Recommendation letter from the DOI or relevant agency
Certificate of industry registration
Bio data (for first-time applicants)
Approval letter of foreign investment
Evidence of foreign investment
Copy of the applicant's passport
Copy of the company's tax registration certificate
Copy of the company’s tax clearance certificate
Copy of the company registration certificate, including Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association
Certified copy of the company’s bank account operation
Proof of industry operation (audit report, balance sheet, progress report)
Shareholder ledgor recorded by the Office of the Company Registrar
Industry Monitoring and Supervision report
Progress report of the company
Note: Indian nationals do not require a business visa to work in Nepal.
The visa fee varies based on the investment amount:
|
Investment Amount (NPR) |
Visa Fee for 1 Month |
Visa Fee for 1 Year |
Visa Fee for 5 Years |
|
Less than NPR 10 Million |
$35 |
$400 |
$1000 |
|
More than NPR 10 Million |
$20 |
$200 |
$500 |
|
More than NPR 100 Million |
No Charges |
No Charges |
No Charges |
Note: Applicants investing over NPR 10 million must provide ‘Share Details’ along with other necessary documents.
Typically, it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to receive the recommendation letter from the DOI or relevant agency, followed by approximately 5 working days to obtain the business visa from the Immigration Department. However, processing times may vary.
A business visa can be issued for a minimum of one month and a maximum of five years. Generally, the Immigration Department grants a one-year visa that needs to be renewed annually.
Business visas in Nepal can last from a minimum of one month to a maximum of five years. After completing all required steps, applicants can typically receive their business visa within a month. A detailed submission of documents is essential, and an inspection will take place prior to the final visa issuance.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. FinLex Associates retains exclusive rights to the content.