For a foreign national appointed or contracted to work in Nepal with labour approval and the relevant government recommendation.
Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Southern Asia · Immigration
Nepal
Nepal sits in Southern Asia. Its immigration system runs 12 distinct routes — led by investment, family and work, each set out in official law. 11 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
1 further route is recorded for Nepal but not shown here — its details are still under review.
- Immigration routes
- 12across 10 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 11 of 12cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Investment2 of the 12 routes — see them under Investment below
- Region
- Southern Asia
- Capital
- Kathmandu
- Population
- 29,618,118
- Official language
- Nepali
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- UTC+05:45
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 12 routes, grouped by purpose — 11 of 12 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
1 route
Investment
2 routes
For a foreign investor or businessperson investing in or operating an approved business in Nepal.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 8
Official government source: immigration.gov.np · checked 2026-07-26
For an investor placing at least USD 100,000 in a Nepalese industrial enterprise.
Investment from USD 100,000
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 8
Talent & merit
1 route
Information on a discretionary residential category for internationally reputed persons or people capable of exceptional contribution to Nepal.
Process & costs: 3Report facts: 3
Official government source: immigration.gov.np · checked 2026-08-03
Study
1 route
For an admitted foreign student, researcher, teacher or professor undertaking approved academic work in Nepal.
Can bring: spouse, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 8
Family
2 routes
For a foreign national whose marriage to a Nepalese citizen is documented and verified.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
For a foreign national with a qualifying kinship to a Nepalese citizen who is not a foreign-passport holder.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 4Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: immigration.gov.np · checked 2026-07-26
Independent means
1 route
For a person aged at least 60 or retired who intends to live in Nepal without conducting business and can meet the income threshold.
Income from USD 20,000/yr · Savings from USD 20,000
Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 8
Short stay & visit
1 route
For temporary tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or family, and entry for a business meeting.
Humanitarian protection
1 route
Information for a person seeking international protection in Nepal; no current public intake procedure could be verified.
— Secondary source — not the enacting authority · checked 2026-07-26
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a foreign citizen of Nepalese origin, or qualifying family member, holding the official NRN card or NRN citizenship.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Transit
1 route
For an air traveller passing through Nepal to another country, including an overnight connection.
Official sources
- Department of ImmigrationGovernment
See which Nepal routes you actually qualify for.
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