Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal · investor
Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. It depends on your investment approval and the recommending agency; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.np page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Fees apply and can scale with investment and period; refer to the official page for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Issued for periods from around a month up to a year, and in some cases for several years at a time, renewable while the business continues.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 1 June 2026, the Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives) for Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is an unsponsored Nepal immigration route. Sources: official Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal government pages, reviewed 1 June 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/nepal/business-visa#answer
What is the Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives) in Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal?
Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives) is an unsponsored Nepal route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. Fees apply and can scale with investment and period; refer to the official page for current amounts; indicative processing time is Indicative only. It depends on your investment approval and the recommending agency; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.np page; typical duration is Issued for periods from around a month up to a year, and in some cases for several years at a time, renewable while the business continues. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Nepal offers a Business Visa for foreign investors and businesspeople investing in and undertaking business in the country. It is granted on the strength of a recommendation from the Department of Industry or the relevant line agency, together with your foreign-investment approval and company documents. It can be issued for periods up to a year, and in some cases for several years at a time, which makes it a practical long-stay route for genuine investors. Good to know: it is built around approved foreign investment, so your business needs the proper registrations and approvals behind it. Treat any fee figure as indicative and confirm on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You are investing in and undertaking genuine business in Nepal.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You hold a foreign-investment approval and the relevant company registrations.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You obtain a recommendation from the Department of Industry or relevant line agency.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You apply at the Department of Immigration for the Business Visa.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Common blockers
- !Having no approved foreign investment or proper company registrations behind the business.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Lacking the recommendation from the Department of Industry or line agency.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Treating it as an employment visa - working for an employer runs through the Working Visa instead.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and the completed application.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·Your foreign-investment approval letter.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·Company registration, tax and related documents.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·The recommendation from the Department of Industry or relevant line agency.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your investment is approved and your company registrations are in order.
Build the evidence pack
Obtain the recommendation from the Department of Industry or relevant line agency.
Submit through the official channel
Apply at the Department of Immigration for the Business Visa through the official channel.
After approval
After approval, keep your business and documents in order and renew the visa as needed.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives).
Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) · verified
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Related routes
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Business Visa for?+
It is for foreign investors and businesspeople genuinely investing in and undertaking business in Nepal, backed by a foreign-investment approval and a recommendation from the Department of Industry or relevant line agency. It is not an employment visa - if you are taking a salaried job you would use the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa instead. Confirm which fits your situation on the official immigration.gov.np page.
How long can a Business Visa last?+
It can be issued for periods from around a month up to a year, and in some cases for several years at a time, which makes it practical for long-stay investors. The exact period depends on your case and the recommending authority. Treat any duration or fee you read online as indicative and confirm the current terms on the official page.
What do I need in place before applying for a Nepal Business Visa?+
You need to be investing in and undertaking genuine business in Nepal, holding a foreign-investment approval and the relevant company registrations, plus a recommendation from the Department of Industry or relevant line agency before applying at the Department of Immigration. Confirm the current requirements on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Can I take a salaried job in Nepal on a Business Visa?+
No. The Business Visa is for genuinely investing in and undertaking your own business in Nepal, not for salaried employment - working for an employer runs through the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa instead. Confirm which route fits your situation on the official immigration.gov.np page.
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 NepalHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal)
Last checked: 1 June 2026