Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal · work sponsored
Working (Non-Tourist) Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. The labour permit, ministry recommendation and visa stages run through different bodies; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.np page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Visa fees apply and depend on the labour permit period; refer to the official page for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Tied to your labour permit and employment - the number of visa days depends on the labour permit issued; renewed while you keep the job.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Working Visa is a Non-Tourist Visa issued by the Department of Immigration, and it is the only visa that allows you to accept a job and work in Nepal. It is granted on the strength of several things together: a recommendation from the line agency (the relevant ministry), a labour permit from the Department of Labour, and, in most cases, a work agreement. You can only apply for the labour permit once you have a job or a firm offer. Good to know: the process runs through several government agencies before you finally apply at the Department of Immigration, and a common path is to handle the paperwork while on a tourist visa and then convert to the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa. Treat any fee figure as indicative and confirm on the official immigration.gov.np page.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You have a job or a firm offer of employment in Nepal.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You obtain a labour permit from the Department of Labour (which you can only apply for once you have a job).Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You secure a recommendation from the relevant line ministry and, in most cases, a work agreement.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ✓You apply at the Department of Immigration for the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Common blockers
- !Trying to work on a tourist visa - only the Working Visa permits employment in Nepal.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Applying for the labour permit before you actually have a job or offer.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- !Missing the ministry recommendation or work agreement the visa depends on.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 labour permit from the Department of Labour.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·The recommendation from the relevant line ministry.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
- ·Your work agreement or employment documents, where required.Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Secure your job or firm offer and confirm which ministry recommendation you will need.
Build the evidence pack
Apply for the labour permit from the Department of Labour and gather your ministry recommendation.
Submit through the official channel
Apply at the Department of Immigration for the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa through the official channel.
After approval
After approval, keep your labour permit and visa valid and renew them while you remain employed.
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 guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Working (Non-Tourist) Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Working (Non-Tourist) Visa.
Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal) · verified
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Related routes
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.
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
Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?+
No. Only foreign nationals holding a Working Visa are allowed to accept a job and work in Nepal. A common path is to handle the paperwork while on a tourist visa and then convert to the Working (Non-Tourist) Visa once the labour permit and recommendations are in place. Until that conversion, you are not permitted to work, so confirm the steps on the official immigration.gov.np page.
What do I need before applying for the Working Visa?+
You need several things in place: a job or firm offer, a labour permit from the Department of Labour, a recommendation from the relevant line ministry, and usually a work agreement. The labour permit can only be applied for once you have a job. You then apply at the Department of Immigration. Because it runs through multiple agencies, check the current sequence on the official 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.
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