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Retiree Residential Visa Assistance helps foreign nationals assess and prepare an application to live in Nepal without carrying on a business. Nepal’s Department of Immigration lists people aged 60 or older or retired among the evidence categories for the non-business Residential Visa; applicants must also meet the published financial and supporting-document requirements. The Department of Immigration and other responsible government offices decide whether to approve an application.
Who this service is for
This service is for foreign nationals who plan to spend their lives in Nepal without running a business and believe they may qualify under the non-business Residential Visa provisions. The Department of Immigration’s published criteria include persons capable of living in Nepal without carrying on a business. Its citizen charter lists proof of age 60 or retirement alongside financial, character, embassy, health, and passport evidence. Retirement by itself should not be treated as confirmation of eligibility: review all current criteria with the Department before applying. This is a Residential Visa category, not permanent residence or citizenship. The non-business route is for people intending to live in Nepal without carrying on a business. The Department states that only foreign nationals holding a Working Visa may accept employment; ask the responsible authorities about the separate permissions that apply before working or operating a business.
Published requirements to prepare for
The Department of Immigration’s citizen charter describes the following for a non-business Residential Visa application. Another current Department listing specifies embassy verification for the income certificate, so confirm the applicable format and authentication rules directly before collecting or submitting documents: - Online application receipt.
- Bank statement showing USD 20,000.
- Certificate of regular income of at least USD 20,000 per year.
- Character certificate.
- No-objection letter from the applicant’s home-country embassy.
- Health certificate from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
- Proof of age 60 or older, or proof of retirement.
- Passport and copy of the most recent Nepal visa. The Department also lists an expenditure statement for renewal applications. Do not assume documents issued abroad will be accepted without a particular translation, legalization, validity period, or format; confirm those details with the Department and the issuing authority. The official online service and Department instructions should be checked for the current application workflow.
How the application generally proceeds
- Check fit. Compare your circumstances with the Department of Immigration’s current non-business Residential Visa criteria, including the requirement to live in Nepal without carrying on a business.
- Confirm evidence. Verify the exact application channel, current document formats, and any embassy or medical certificate instructions with the Department before arranging documents.
- Prepare the application. Organize the application receipt and supporting evidence so the information is consistent across your passport, financial records, and certificates.
- Submit for government review. Apply through the official channel and follow any request for additional information. The authorities determine eligibility, required follow-up, and the decision.
- Plan renewals separately. A Residential Visa is not permanent residence. Check the renewal requirements and current charges directly with the Department when relevant; requirements and fees may change.
How Immigration Nepal can assist
Immigration Nepal is an independent immigration assistance and advisory service, not a government office. We can help you understand published instructions, organize your evidence, identify questions to verify with the authorities, and prepare for the application steps. We cannot issue a visa, collect government fees on the government’s behalf, determine eligibility, or promise approval or a decision date. Current Department pages differ on fees: the visa-information page and citizen charter list USD 700 per year for a new visa and USD 1,200 for renewal, while another Department page lists USD 1,200 per year. Confirm the applicable amount and payment method directly with Immigration before paying. For an initial discussion about your circumstances and document preparation, contact Immigration Nepal.
Eligibility
- For foreign nationals seeking to live in Nepal without carrying on a business under the non-business Residential Visa category.
- The Department of Immigration lists proof of age 60 or older, or proof of retirement, among the required evidence.
- Applicants must satisfy the Department’s current criteria; age or retirement alone does not guarantee eligibility or approval.
Requirements
- Apply through the official Department of Immigration process and provide the current application receipt.
- Meet the published financial evidence requirements, including a USD 20,000 bank statement and regular annual income of at least USD 20,000, subject to current authority instructions.
- Provide the required character, home-country embassy no-objection, health, age or retirement, passport, and current Nepal visa evidence; confirm any embassy verification required for the income certificate.
- Confirm document formats, certification, and any additional instructions with the Department before submission.
Documents to prepare
- Online application receipt.
- Bank statement showing USD 20,000.
- Certificate of regular income of at least USD 20,000 per year; confirm whether embassy verification is required.
- Character certificate.
- No-objection letter from the applicant’s home-country embassy.
- Health certificate from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
- Proof of age 60 or older, or proof of retirement.
- Passport and copy of the most recent Nepal visa.
- For renewal: expenditure statement, as listed by the Department of Immigration.
Process
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1
Assess the non-business category
Check the Department’s current criteria and confirm that the intended stay is without carrying on a business.
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2
Confirm the document instructions
Verify the required formats and any current authentication or submission instructions with the Department and the relevant issuing authorities.
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3
Prepare and submit the application
Organize the listed supporting evidence, complete the official application, and submit it for government review.
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4
Respond to official follow-up
Follow instructions from the responsible authorities. They make the eligibility and visa decision.
Frequently asked questions
Can a retired foreign national apply for a Residential Visa in Nepal?
The Department of Immigration lists proof of age 60 or older or proof of retirement among the documents for the non-business Residential Visa. Applicants must meet the other current criteria as well; retirement alone does not assure eligibility or approval.
What financial evidence does the Department list?
The Department’s citizen charter lists a bank statement showing USD 20,000 and a certificate of regular income of at least USD 20,000 per year for the non-business category. Confirm current evidence formats and acceptance requirements with the Department.
Which documents are listed for a retiree application?
The citizen charter lists an online application receipt, bank statement, regular income certificate, character certificate, home-country embassy no-objection letter, health certificate from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, age or retirement proof, and passport with the most recent Nepal visa. It also lists an expenditure statement for renewal.
Can I work or run a business on this category?
The non-business category is described for people intending to live in Nepal without carrying on a business. The Department of Immigration states that only foreign nationals holding a Working Visa may accept employment. Ask the responsible authorities about any separate permissions before undertaking work or business.
How much does the visa cost and how long does approval take?
Department pages list different fees: USD 700 per year for a new visa and USD 1,200 for renewal on the visa-information page and citizen charter, but USD 1,200 per year on another Department listing. Confirm the applicable fee directly. The citizen charter lists processing on the next day after Home Ministry approval; this is conditional and does not guarantee a decision date or outcome.
What does Immigration Nepal do?
We provide independent assistance with understanding published requirements, organizing documents, and preparing for application steps. We are not the Department of Immigration, cannot issue a visa or decide eligibility, and cannot guarantee approval.
General information only. Requirements depend on the facts of each case and can change, so confirm the current position before filing.