Table of Contents
Work Visa for Nepal or Work Permit is granted by the Department of Immigration to foreign Nationals eligible to work in Nepal.
The Department of Immigration and the Department of Labor in Nepal are the primary governing regulatory Bodies of Nepal for providing Work visas in Nepal.
The Following Articles provide a detailed Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Work Visa in Nepal including the Required Documents, the Procedure, and the Fees required.
Laws and Authority of Work Visa in Nepal
Laws
The following are the laws that govern Obtaining Work Visa in Nepal:
Labor Act 2017
Chapter 6 of the Labor Act has provisions related to Work Visas (Permits) in Nepal. It has restricted Foreigners from working in Nepal without obtaining Work Permit. Foreign Labor can be employed if Nepal lacks the skilled Labor required for the Employment.
Foreign Citizen Labor Permission Directive 2019
This Directive has prescribed the procedure before permitting foreign labor in Nepal. Further, it has provisioned for the Applicable fees based on the Duration of Stay, the Tenure of Labor, and the conditions under which Work Visa can be invalidated in Nepal.
Types of Work Visa (Permit)
Generally, three types of Work Visa have been allowed in Nepal:
Standard Work Visa (Permit)
Foreign Nationals have been permitted to work in Nepal if Nepal lacks the required Skilled Workers. The Employer must advertise, in a national newspaper, providing the specific details of the Job. If no one applies, they can apply for a Work Permit from the Department of Labor.
Work Permit for Foreign Investment or Foreign Aid Entity
Foreign Aid Entities or Foreign Investment Companies in Nepal have been permitted to hire up to three Foreign Nationals based on a Documentation Work Visa. Such Nationals aren’t required to prove the unavailability of Local skilled workers in Nepal.
The DOL reviews the Submitted Documents and warrants Work Permits.
Technical Casual Work
Technicians and Specialists can also obtain a Work Visa in Nepal with a Work Permit for not more than 3 Months for installing/repairing Technology or Machinery. They must submit the required documents mentioned below to the Department of Labor.
Process of Obtaining a Work Visa
The following is the complete Procedural Guide for Obtaining Work Visa in Nepal:
Publication of Vacancy by Employer in National Newspaper
The Employer in Nepal seeking a Foreign National to work in Nepal must publish a Vacancy for the required post in a National Daily Newspaper as prescribed in the directive. The Qualifications, the Functions, and other mandatory details must be stated in the Advertisement.
Application requesting Work Permit by Employer
If within One Month, no Nepali Citizen applies for the Post, the Employer can file an Application at the Department of Labor requesting a Work Permit. The Format of the Application shall be as follows:
Granting of Work Permit
After a rigorous review and seeking a No Objection Letter from the Home Ministry of Nepal, the Department of Labor, if no issues persist, grants the Work Permit to the Foreign Nationals.
Go to http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/working-visa
If the Work Permit has been secured, the Foreign National must apply for a Work Visa by accessing the Website mentioned above.
Submit the Application and Required Documents
After you have accessed the Website, submit all the prescribed documents in Digital Format including the Application. The Documents required to be submitted have been mentioned below.
Work Visa (Permit) by the Department of Immigration
Thereafter, the Department of Immigration issues a Working Visa in Nepal for up to 1 year as required by the Employer.
Documents Required
The Documents required for Obtaining Work Visa in Nepal are as follows:
- A recommendation letter from the relevant government agency.
- A work permit issued by the Department of Labor.
- A work agreement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Tax clearance certificates from the hiring organization, institution, or agency.
- Tax clearance certificate from the applicant (for renewals if taxes have been paid individually).
- A general agreement with the Social Welfare Council for NGOs and INGOs.
- Photocopies of your passport and visa.
The online visa application form (for employment) can be accessed through the provided link.
Fees and Period
The Official Visa Fee for obtaining a Work Visa in Nepal is prescribed at USD 75 a Month. Moreover, for Single Re-Entry, an additional 20 USD must be paid. For Multiple Reentry, an additional 60 USD must be paid.
The Foreign Citizen Labor Permission Directive 2019 has stated that for obtaining a Work Permit in Nepal for less than 6 Months, a One-time charge of NPR 15,000 has to be paid per Individual. However, for Individuals having a Work Permit longer than 6 Months, a charge of NPR 20,000 is to be paid.
The Tenure of Work Permit in Nepal shouldn’t exceed one year at a time and can be renewed time and again for not more than 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is a Work Visa in Nepal?
A Work Visa is a visa granted to foreigners who are:
Employed by a Nepali company
Working under a project in Nepal
Hired as experts/consultants
Appointed as directors/technical staff
It allows legal stay + employment.
But you must first get a Work Permit.
2) What is a Work Permit in Nepal?
A Work Permit is the official authorization from the Labour Department that allows a foreigner to work in Nepal.
3) Who needs a Work Visa in Nepal?
Any foreign national who:
- Works in a Nepali company
- Works as an expat staff
- Works in INGOs/NGOs
- Works as a technical expert/consultant
- Works in industrial or commercial sectors
NRNs with investment do NOT need work permits if they are directors—but employees still need it.
4) What documents are required for Work Permit in Nepal?
From Employer (Company):
Company Registration Certificate
PAN & VAT certificate
Tax Clearance Certificate
Office location and rental contract
Board decision letter
Appointment letter
Job description
Proof of Nepali recruitment attempt (if required)
From Employee (Foreigner):
Passport copy (valid 6+ months)
Visa page copy
Qualification certificates
Experience letters
Passport-size photos
Updated CV
5) What documents are required for Work Visa in Nepal?
Approved Work Permit
Original passport
Visa application form
Recent passport photos
Company recommendation letter
Tax clearance
PAN registration
Company documents (MoA/AoA)
Immigration fee receipt
6) How long is a Work Visa valid in Nepal?
Typically:
1 year (renewable)
Based on employment contract
Maximum validity depends on project duration
Some experts may get multi-year visas.
7) Can a tourist visa be converted to a work visa in Nepal?
Yes, if:
Company hires the foreigner
Work Permit is approved
Immigration approves the conversion
This is a common process.
8) Can a foreigner work in Nepal without a work permit?
No, it is illegal.
Penalties include:
Fines
Deportation
Blacklisting
Company penalties
Both employer and employee face legal trouble.
9) Can a Work Visa holder bring family to Nepal?
Yes, they can apply for:
- Dependent Visa (spouse & children)
Dependent visa holders cannot work unless they apply for their own work permit.
10) What is the renewal process for Work Visa?
Submit:
- Updated work permit
- Tax clearance
- Updated contract
- Activity progress report
- Company recommendation
Renewal is done annually.
11) Are there restrictions on hiring foreign workers?
Yes, Nepal allows foreign hiring ONLY IF:
No qualified Nepali is available
The job requires special skills
Company demonstrates clear justification
Labour Office strictly checks this.
12) How long does it take to get a Work Permit & Work Visa in Nepal?
Work Permit: 7–21 days
Work Visa: 3–10 days
Total time: 10–30 days
Processing depends on documentation quality.
13) Can freelancers or remote workers get a Work Visa in Nepal?
No, Nepal does NOT have a digital nomad visa.
Work Visa is only for:
Registered companies
INGOs
Industrial organizations
Employers with legal hiring capacity
However, consultants with proper contracts may be eligible.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as legal advice, advertisement, personal communication, solicitation or inducement of any sort from the firm or any of its members. The firm shall not be liable for consequences arising out of any action undertaken by any person relying on the information provided herein.