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 Council (NBC) — Statutory body regulating 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 across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. 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.
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