Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal visas
Nepal administers foreigner stay through the Department of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Headline non-tourist routes include the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa, the Business Visa for approved investors, the long-stay Residential Visa for those with proof of income, and the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) visa for people of Nepali origin. There is no clear permanent-residence-to-citizenship pathway for ordinary foreigners.
6 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 0 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Department of Immigration ↗ · Department of Immigration (Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Nepal Bar Association (NBA) — Professional body for advocates in Nepal. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Visa routes (6)
Working (Non-Tourist) Visa
For you if you are taking up employment in Nepal: the Working Visa is the only visa that allows you to work, and it depends on a separate labour permit plus a recommendation from the relevant government ministry.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives)
For you if you are an approved foreign investor or business representative in Nepal: the Business Visa is the long-stay route for people investing in or running an approved business, granted on a recommendation from the relevant authority.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Residential Visa (long-stay, proof of income)
For you if you want to live in Nepal long term without doing business: the Residential Visa is a long-stay route that requires proof of income - but please read the honesty note, because it is not a settled-status or citizenship pathway.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Visa
For you if you are of Nepali origin and hold an NRN identity card: the NRN Visa is a long-stay route for the Nepali diaspora, and recent law changes have made it more generous - including free issuance.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Study Visa (foreign students)
For you if you are studying in Nepal: the Study Visa lets you live there for your course, issued by the Department of Immigration on a recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Relation (Dependent) Visa
For you if you have a close family member in Nepal: the Relation Visa lets relatives of a Nepali citizen, or dependents of certain visa holders, stay on the basis of the family relationship.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal have?+
We cover 6 Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, investor, general residence, study, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 6 Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 2 are employer-sponsored.
Which Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal visas lead to permanent residence?+
The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal routes we cover are temporary rather than direct settlement routes.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Nepal