No—not for active business operations. Nepal’s Department of Immigration states that a person holding a tourist visa may not work in an industry, trade, business or institution in Nepal, whether the work is paid or unpaid. A tourist visa may be suitable for travel and certain business meetings, but it is not permission to operate a company, manage employees, provide services or earn business income in Nepal. Department of Immigration notice
What does “travel visa” mean in Nepal?
“Travel visa” usually refers to Nepal’s tourist visa category. Nepal separately recognises business, non-tourist and working visa categories.
A tourist visa is generally suitable for:
- Tourism and personal visits
- Preliminary market discussions
- A short, non-remunerative business meeting, where permitted by Immigration
- Exploring whether an investment or business opportunity is viable
It should not be used for:
- Running a shop, office or company
- Managing local staff or daily operations
- Providing paid services in Nepal
- Working for a Nepali or foreign business operating in Nepal
- Performing an ongoing commercial role
Nepal Immigration’s FAQ indicates that a foreign visitor may enter on a tourist visa for a business meeting. However, it separately advises people intending to invest and operate a business in Nepal for a longer period to consider the appropriate business-visa route. Department of Immigration FAQ
Why is a tourist visa not enough?
Visa permission and business registration are separate issues.
A foreigner may need company registration, foreign-investment approval, industry registration, tax registration and sector-specific licences. Completing any of those steps does not automatically give the individual permission to work in Nepal.
The person’s immigration status must also match the activity they intend to perform. The Department of Industry recommends business visas for qualifying foreign investors and authorised representatives. The Department of Immigration then makes the visa decision. Department of Industry visa recommendations
Which visa may apply?
Business visa for investors and authorised representatives
A business visa is generally relevant to a foreign investor, an authorised representative of an investor and eligible dependants. The application normally depends on evidence such as:
- Foreign-investment approval or acceptance
- Company or industry registration
- Proof of investment
- Passport and current visa
- Share certificate, where relevant
- Department of Industry recommendation
The exact documents depend on the applicant’s role and whether the application is new or for renewal. Immigration business-visa information
Non-tourist or working visa for employees
A foreign employee, manager, consultant or technical specialist does not automatically qualify for an investor business visa simply because the employer has foreign investment.
The employee may instead need the applicable non-tourist or working visa, labour approval and work permit. The correct route depends on the position, employer, sector and applicable approvals.
Non-tourist visa for feasibility research
The Department of Industry identifies a separate non-tourist route for foreign visitors conducting research or feasibility work connected with a possible investment. This should not be confused with starting commercial operations on a tourist visa.
Can I attend a business meeting in Nepal on a tourist visa?
Possibly, if the visit remains a short, non-remunerative meeting or preliminary discussion. Nepal Immigration’s FAQ specifically addresses business meetings separately from long-term investment and operation.
If the visit involves regular work, service delivery, management, sales activity or payment in Nepal, confirm the correct visa before undertaking it.
Can I register a company while on a tourist visa?
Company registration and visa permission are different questions.
A person may explore registration or investment procedures while visiting Nepal, but registration alone does not authorise the person to work in or operate the company. Foreign investors must also check whether the proposed activity is open to foreign investment and whether Department of Industry approval is required.
See the foreign direct investment guide for the investment and approval side of the process.
Can I invest in Nepal while holding a tourist visa?
A tourist visa should not be treated as permission to operate the investment after it is made.
Foreign investment may require approval or acceptance, banking procedures, company or industry registration and reporting. Before beginning management or commercial activity, confirm the visa category and immigration process with the Department of Immigration.
Do not assume that an investment approval automatically changes a tourist visa into a business visa.
What should I do before starting operations?
Use this order:
- Define the activity you will perform in Nepal.
- Check whether the activity is open to foreign investment.
- Obtain the necessary company, industry or investment approvals.
- Identify whether you need an investor business visa or a non-tourist working visa.
- Confirm the application or change-of-status route with Immigration.
- Start active work only after the required immigration permission and sector approvals are in place.
For a case-specific review, see Business Visa Service in Nepal.
