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Business & Investor Visa Assistance helps foreign investors and business representatives understand the recommendation and application steps for a Nepal Business Visa. The Department of Industry (DoI) reviews investment-related recommendations; the Department of Immigration decides the visa application. Immigration Nepal is an independent advisory service, not a government office or visa-issuing authority.
Who may need this service
The Department of Industry describes Business Visa recommendations for foreign investors, their authorised representatives, and dependants. A recommendation is not automatic: DoI says it considers factors including investment level, business financial performance, employment generation, income tax paid, and investment sector when assessing the recommended visa period. The Department of Immigration makes the visa decision. Someone who plans to work as an employee in Nepal should check the separate Non-Tourist (Working) Visa and Non-Nepalese Work Permit requirements. A Business Visa is not a substitute for work authorization. Prospective investors who are still conducting feasibility research may also need to consider the separate non-tourist visa route described by DoI.
What documents may be needed
The appropriate checklist depends on whether the request concerns an investor, authorised representative, dependant, first recommendation, or renewal, and on the company’s registration and operating status. Official guidance identifies documents that can include: - Applicant bio-data and passport copy showing the latest Nepal visa; Immigration may also ask for passport-size photographs in its current format.
- Evidence of investment, industry registration, and the investor’s contact address and telephone number for the DoI recommendation file.
- Foreign investment acceptance or approval evidence, where applicable to the case.
- Company incorporation or registration documents, PAN or VAT/tax registration, and a share certificate where relevant to an equity investment.
- A current industry progress report, including operating status; an inspection or monitoring report may also be requested.
- For dependants, documents establishing the relationship.
- For an authorised representative, the investor’s authorisation letter and the representative’s passport copy.
- For an extension or renewal, current tax clearance and an updated recommendation may be required. These are examples from published government guidance, not a universal checklist. DoI recommendation documents and Immigration visa-application documents are separate stages, and published checklists vary in detail. Confirm the current list and any prescribed format with the responsible authority before submitting originals, notarised copies, or translations.
How the process generally works
- Review the case. Identify whether the applicant is the investor, a representative, or a dependant, and whether this is a first application or an extension. Check whether the relevant business and investment approvals are in place.
- Prepare the recommendation request. Assemble the applicant and company evidence required by the Department of Industry for its review. DoI accepts visa recommendation requests through the Industry Management Information System, according to its published service information.
- Request the Business Visa recommendation. DoI assesses the investment and company information and, if it recommends the case, issues a recommendation for the next step. Its guidance says recommended visa period depends on its assessment.
- Apply to Immigration. Submit the prescribed visa application and supporting documents to the Department of Immigration, following its current instructions. The Department of Immigration decides whether to issue or extend the visa.
- Track expiry and renewal requirements. Allow time to confirm the current procedure with the authorities. Requirements and fees can change; verify them before making plans or payments.
Important limits and distinctions
A recommendation letter does not guarantee visa approval, duration, or eligibility. A visa also does not replace foreign investment approval, company or industry registration, or any separate permission required for employment. Some business sectors have restrictions on foreign investment; the Department of Industry publishes sector-specific information, so a proposed activity should be checked before relying on an assumed investment route. Immigration Nepal can help organize information, review documents for completeness against the published guidance, and explain the sequence of steps. We cannot issue a visa, make a government decision, collect government visa fees as an authority, or promise a result or processing time. The relevant government offices remain the source for the latest forms, fees, and case-specific requirements.
Get help with your application preparation
Share your role in the investment, the company’s current approval and registration status, and whether you are applying for the first time or renewing. Contact Immigration Nepal to discuss document preparation and the next steps that may apply to your case.
Eligibility
- DoI identifies foreign investors, their authorised representatives, and dependants as potential Business Visa recommendation applicants.
- The investment and business case must meet requirements assessed by the responsible authorities; a recommendation or visa is not guaranteed.
- DoI considers factors such as investment level, financial performance, employment generation, income tax paid, and investment area when recommending a visa period.
- Foreign investment in some sectors is restricted; confirm that the proposed activity is eligible before relying on a Business Visa route.
- Foreign employees generally require the separate Non-Nepalese Work Permit and Non-Tourist (Working) Visa process.
Requirements
- Obtain the relevant investment and business approvals and registrations for the company or industry.
- Request a Business Visa recommendation through the Department of Industry process applicable to the case.
- Submit the prescribed visa application and current supporting documents to the Department of Immigration.
- For extensions, confirm current renewal requirements and submit updated company and tax evidence when required.
- Verify current formats, document certification rules, fees, and submission instructions with the responsible offices.
Documents to prepare
- Applicant bio-data and passport copy showing the latest Nepal visa; passport-size photographs if required by Immigration's current instructions.
- Evidence of investment, industry registration certificate, and investor contact address and telephone number for the DoI recommendation file.
- Foreign investment acceptance or approval evidence where applicable, plus company incorporation or registration and PAN or VAT/tax registration documents.
- Share certificate where relevant to the equity investment.
- Company or industry progress report and any inspection or monitoring report requested.
- Relationship evidence for dependants applying with the investor.
- Investor authorization letter and representative passport copy, if applying through an authorized representative.
- Current tax clearance and updated recommendation for an extension, if required.
Process
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1
Confirm the route
Identify the applicant’s role and whether the request is a first application or renewal. Confirm relevant investment approval, registration, and whether a separate work authorization applies.
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2
Prepare the DoI recommendation file
Collect applicant, company, investment, and dependant documents for the Department of Industry review. Confirm the latest checklist and application format.
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3
Obtain the recommendation decision
Submit through the applicable Department of Industry process. The Department assesses the case and determines whether to recommend a visa and its period.
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4
Apply to the Department of Immigration
File the prescribed visa application with the recommendation and required supporting documents. Immigration makes the visa decision.
Frequently asked questions
Who can seek a Nepal Business Visa recommendation as an investor?
The Department of Industry lists foreign investors, their authorised representatives, and dependants as potential Business Visa recommendation applicants. The Department assesses each case and the Department of Immigration decides the visa application; eligibility and approval are not guaranteed.
Does an investment automatically qualify me for a Business Visa?
No. DoI says it considers matters such as investment level, financial performance, employment generation, income tax paid, and investment area when assessing the recommended period. The final visa decision rests with the Department of Immigration.
Which documents should an investor prepare?
Official lists include passport and latest visa copies, bio-data, proof of investment, industry registration, company registration and tax documents, and company progress information. Dependants and representatives have additional relationship or authorization evidence. The current checklist varies by case, so confirm it with DoI and Immigration before filing.
Can a Business Visa holder work for a company in Nepal?
A Business Visa should not be treated as employee work authorization. The Department of Industry describes a separate Non-Tourist (Working) Visa process for expatriate personnel, including Non-Nepalese Work Permit requirements. Confirm the correct route with the responsible offices before beginning employment.
Does Immigration Nepal issue visas or guarantee approval?
No. Immigration Nepal is an independent assistance and advisory service. The Department of Industry handles the recommendation process and the Department of Immigration decides visa applications. No recommendation, visa duration, approval, or processing time can be guaranteed.
Can dependants apply with the investor?
DoI includes dependants in its Business Visa recommendation guidance. Applicants should prepare documents establishing the relationship and confirm the current dependant requirements for their specific application.
General information only. Requirements depend on the facts of each case and can change, so confirm the current position before filing.