Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019 and administered by the Department of Industry (DoI) and Department of Immigration (DoI). The residence visa category provides long-term stay authorization for investors making substantial capital commitments, offering benefits beyond standard business visas including extended validity periods and family inclusion. Understanding the investment thresholds, application procedures, and compliance obligations ensures successful immigration status for investors establishing business presence in Nepal.
The Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019 specifically addresses visa facilities for foreign investors in Nepal. Section 6(4) of FITTA establishes tiered visa benefits based on investment amounts:
The Immigration Act, 2049 (1992) and Immigration Rules, 2051 (1994) provide the procedural framework for visa issuance, renewal, and enforcement. The Immigration Procedure, 2008 details specific documentation and processing requirements.
| Authority | Residence Visa Function |
|---|---|
| Department of Industry (DoI) | Investment verification and recommendation letter issuance |
| Investment Board Nepal (IBN) | Approval for investments exceeding NPR 6 billion |
| Department of Immigration (DoI) | Visa grant, renewal, and status maintenance |
| Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) | Security clearance and final approval for initial residence visas |
| Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) | Foreign investment registration and repatriation authorization |
| Inland Revenue Department (IRD) | Tax clearance verification |
For investments meeting minimum thresholds but below USD 1 million:
| Investment Level | Visa Type | Duration | Family Inclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPR 20 million - USD 1 million | Business Visa | 1-5 years | Spouse and dependents |
| NPR 10 million+ | Business Visa | Up to 5 years | Available |
Features:
For investors committing USD 100,000 or more in industrial enterprises:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Investment threshold | Minimum USD 100,000 (or equivalent convertible currency) |
| Investment type | Industrial enterprise registered in Nepal |
| Visa duration | 1 year initial, renewable annually |
| Family inclusion | Spouse and dependent family members |
| Government fee | USD 200 (first year), USD 100 (renewal) |
| Processing time | 1-2 days after MoHA approval |
Key Advantages:
For individuals not undertaking business but seeking residence:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 60 years or retired |
| Income requirement | USD 20,000 annual income or equivalent |
| Bank deposit | USD 20,000 in Nepali bank |
| Health certificate | From TU Teaching Hospital |
| Government fee | USD 700 (first year), USD 1,200 (renewal) |
This category is distinct from investor residence and requires demonstration of self-sufficiency without business income.
| Visa Category | Minimum Investment | Investment Form |
|---|---|---|
| Business Visa (Basic) | NPR 20 million (~USD 150,000) | Equity, venture capital, or technology transfer |
| Business Visa (Enhanced) | NPR 100 million (~USD 750,000) | Equity with extended duration |
| Residential Visa | USD 100,000 | Industrial enterprise equity |
| Residential Visa (FITTA provision) | USD 1 million | Immediate residential visa eligibility |
Note: The USD 100,000 threshold for residential visa is the current operational standard, while FITTA mentions USD 1 million for automatic residential visa eligibility. In practice, the lower threshold applies for standard residential visa processing.
Qualifying investments for residence visa include:
Excluded Investments:
Investment must be in industrial enterprises as defined under the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076 (2020):
| Sector Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Production, processing, assembly |
| Energy | Hydropower, solar, renewable energy |
| Infrastructure | Construction, transportation, telecommunications |
| Information Technology | Software development, IT parks, digital services |
| Tourism | Hotels, resorts, tourism infrastructure |
| Agriculture | Processing, agro-industry (not primary farming) |
| Health | Hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturing |
Restricted Sectors for Foreign Investment:
Step 1: Foreign Investment Approval
Obtain approval from Department of Industry (investments up to NPR 6 billion) or Investment Board Nepal (investments above NPR 6 billion):
Required documentation:
Timeline: 4-8 weeks for standard approvals
Step 2: Company Registration
Incorporate company at Office of Company Registrar (OCR):
Step 3: Industry Registration
Register industrial enterprise at Department of Industry:
Step 4: Foreign Investment Implementation
Step 5: Department of Industry Recommendation
Submit to DoI for residence visa recommendation letter:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Online application | Formal request |
| Company registration certificate | Legal entity verification |
| PAN/VAT certificate | Tax compliance |
| Share certificate | Ownership proof |
| Industry registration certificate | Industrial enterprise confirmation |
| NRB investment certificate | Foreign investment verification |
| Passport copy | Identity verification |
| Bio-data | Investor profile |
DoI conducts inspection to verify:
Timeline: 3-4 weeks for recommendation letter
Step 6: Ministry of Home Affairs Approval
For initial residence visa, MoHA approval is mandatory:
Timeline: Variable, typically 2-4 weeks
Step 7: Department of Immigration Visa Issuance
Upon MoHA approval, apply to DoI Non-Tourist Visa Section:
Required documents:
Processing: 1-2 days after approval receipt
Residence visas require annual renewal with simplified procedures:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Timing | Before current visa expiry |
| Tax clearance | Current year clearance certificate |
| Company compliance | Active operation, no blacklisting |
| Fee payment | USD 100 equivalent |
| Processing | Same-day renewal at DoI |
Renewal Documentation:
To maintain residence visa validity, investors must:
Residential visa investors may include:
Dependent Visa Features:
| Feature | Business Visa | Residential Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Investment threshold | NPR 20 million+ | USD 100,000+ |
| Annual fee | USD 200-500 | USD 200 (first year), USD 100 (renewal) |
| Duration | 1-5 years | 1 year (renewable) |
| Work authorization | Yes | Yes (with work permit if employed) |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Processing complexity | Standard | Requires MoHA approval initially |
| Renewal ease | Annual or periodic | Annual, simplified |
| Long-term stability | Good | Better for extended residence |
| Investment flexibility | Active business required | Passive investment permitted |
The Department of Immigration has implemented:
DoI-established One-Stop Service Centre provides:
The minimum investment for Nepal residence visa is USD 100,000 (or equivalent convertible foreign currency) in an industrial enterprise registered in Nepal. This threshold applies to standard residential visa processing, though FITTA 2019 mentions USD 1 million for automatic residential visa eligibility.
The residence visa process Nepal typically requires 2-3 months total: 4-8 weeks for foreign investment approval, 3-4 weeks for DoI recommendation and inspection, 2-4 weeks for MoHA security clearance (initial only), and 1-2 days for DoI visa issuance. Renewals process same-day at DoI.
Essential residence visa documents Nepal include: DoI recommendation letter, company and industry registration certificates, PAN/VAT certificates, share certificates, NRB investment certificate, tax clearance, passport (6+ months validity), bio-data, and MoHA approval (for initial visa).
Yes, but with conditions. The residence visa Nepal itself does not automatically authorize employment. If the investor wishes to work as an employee (rather than business owner), a separate work permit from the Department of Labour is required. Business management and ownership activities are permitted under the residence visa.
The business visa Nepal is for active business operation with annual fees of USD 200-500 and requires ongoing business engagement. The residence visa Nepal is for long-term residence with lower fees (USD 200 first year, USD 100 renewal), permits passive investment, and offers greater stability for extended stays. Both allow family inclusion.
No, dependent family members on residence visas cannot work without obtaining independent work permits from the Department of Labour. Dependent visas are for residence only, not employment authorization.
Yes, the Nepal residence visa is renewable annually without statutory limitation, provided the investment remains active, tax compliance is maintained, and no disqualifying circumstances arise. However, indefinite renewal is subject to continued satisfaction of original eligibility criteria.
Investment exit is permitted after one year from initial investment (per commitment letter). Upon exit, the residence visa basis is lost, and the investor must either: reinvest to maintain visa, convert to alternative visa category (if eligible), or depart Nepal. Proper exit procedures including tax clearance and NRB approval are required.
Nepal does not currently offer a direct permanent residency pathway based on investment. Long-term residence is maintained through annual visa renewals. Nepali citizenship is generally not available to foreign investors except through marriage to Nepali citizen (naturalization after 15 years) or exceptional contribution recognition (rare).
Generally no nationality restrictions apply to investor residence visas. However, MoHA security clearance may involve enhanced scrutiny for certain nationalities, potentially extending processing timelines. All nationalities meeting investment and compliance requirements are eligible.
Attorney Nepal Pvt. Ltd. provides comprehensive residence visa services for foreign investors in Nepal, including:
Contact Attorney Nepal Pvt. Ltd. to navigate residence visa requirements for foreign investors in Nepal and establish secure long-term immigration status for your investment activities.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information about residence visa requirements for foreign investors in Nepal and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa laws and investment regulations are subject to frequent amendments and administrative practice variations. Specific circumstances vary significantly, and professional consultation is recommended for particular investment immigration situations. Attorney Nepal Pvt. Ltd. assumes no liability for actions taken based on this information.
Last Updated: March 3, 2026
March 03, 2026 - BY Admin