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FDI Legal Help Desk
A dedicated initiative by Bhandari Law and Partners to provide expert legal support to Foreign Direct Investors
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a key cornerstone of Nepal's economic growth and investors often face challenges related to complex regulatory approvals, unfamiliar compliance requirements, and on-the-ground operational hurdles.
To address these issues, Bhandari Law & Partners a full service corporate law firm based in Kathmandu, Nepal has launched the FDI Legal Help Desk a dedicated initiative, private-sector-driven platform offering end-to-end legal and business support for foreign investors throughout their journey in Nepal, from market entry to investment exit, ensuring compliance and confident at every step.
The Help Desk is developed to ensure that foreign investors are well-informed about Nepal's regulatory framework on FDI law in Nepal and are equipped with market intelligence to make sound investment decisions. It provides tailored advisory services to those looking to invest in Nepal, helping them navigate the FDI policies and procedures required to enter the local business ecosystem, operate compliantly, and repatriate profits and capital with confidence.
Moreover, the Help Desk empowers investors to better understand Nepal's FDI legislative landscape, identify sector-specific return on investment opportunities, and make strategic decisions after evaluating visa-related matters, policy implications, and the broader investment environment.
The Goal of FDI Legal Help Desk
Our mission is to empower foreign investors with the tools and knowledge to succeed in Nepal's dynamic market. The details of our goal are mentioned below:
Regulatory Clarity
By offering tailored legal and regulatory support on FDI Law, the Help Desk aims to ensure that investors are fully informed about the procedural, legal, and compliance requirements necessary to establish, operate, and exit a business in Nepal.
Market Intelligence
The Help Desk will assist foreign investors by providing valuable market intelligence on Nepal's economic sectors, regulatory trends, investment climate, and emerging opportunities enabling them to make informed, strategic investment decisions.
Risk Mitigation
The Help Desk plays a crucial role in assisting foreign investors to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks associated with conducting business in Nepal. It offers expert legal advice on key areas FDI law of Nepal including market entry, business registration, regulatory compliance, and annual filings. In addition, the Help Desk provides guidance on dispute resolution, contract enforcement, and investment protection, thereby minimizing legal and financial exposure. By delivering risk assessments and customized strategic support, the Help Desk empowers investors to make secure, well-informed decisions when entering and operating within the Nepalese market.
Long-Term Success
Ongoing support to ensure sustainable, compliant, and profitable operations in Nepal.
Team Members of FDI Legal Help Desk
Follow team members shall be team of FDI Legal Help Desk:
Nabin Bhandari
Rikesh Poudel
Isha Raya
Binayak Thapa
Knowledge related to Market Entry of Foreign Investor in Nepal
Before starting business in Nepal, a foreign investor should have understanding regarding the (i) permissibility of business in Nepal, (ii) selecting the correct business vehicle, (iii) proper structuring of foreign investment company, (iv) business establishment process, (v) timeline and applicable government fee and (vi) post registration compliance. Here are few articles that provide insights on the subject matter:
Compliance After Company Registration
Post-registration compliance ensures your business operates legally and avoids penalties in Nepal. After the establishment of company under FDI then such companies has to fulfill (i) three months compliance before OCR, (ii) receive Shareholder Registry from OCR, (iii) notify regarding industry operation, (iv) receive the recording of investment from Nepal Rastra Bank and (v) submit AGM document at Office of Company Registrar.
Here are few articles that provides insights on the subject matter:
Labor Law, Business Visa and Work Permit
In addition to the company compliance requirements mentioned above, the company must execute employment contracts and develop an HR policy to comply with Nepalese labor law standards. Individual investors and company directors are eligible to receive a business visa during their stay in Nepal. However, if any foreign national wishes to work as an employee of a Nepali company, they must obtain a work permit. Here are the main articles related to topic:
Understanding the Tax Law
A strong understanding of tax law is essential for foreign investment companies operating in Nepal to ensure compliance with the country's complex tax regulations. Familiarity with Nepal's tax framework including corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT), tax withholding obligations, and double taxation treaties is key to maintaining smooth and legally sound operations. Moreover, tax knowledge plays a vital role in managing cross-border transactions, profit repatriation, and adapting to evolving tax laws, ultimately supporting sustainable and compliant business growth in Nepal.
Foreign Loan, Repatriation and Closure of Company
Foreign investment companies in Nepal should possess a clear understanding of key financial and regulatory aspects such as foreign loans, profit repatriation, and company closure procedures. Knowledge of foreign loan regulations is essential to ensure compliance with approval processes and repayment terms set by Nepal Rastra Bank. Similarly, understanding the legal framework governing profit repatriation allows companies to lawfully transfer returns on investment to their home country while meeting tax and documentation requirements. Additionally, awareness of the procedures for company closure—including asset liquidation, tax clearance, and regulatory filings—is crucial for a smooth and compliant exit from the Nepali market.
Here are few articles related to the topic:
FDI Legal Help Desk Contact:
You can contact on following details. The FDI Legal Help Desk shall respond within 1 to 2 working days:
Phone
Office Location
Park Lane Road, Bhuddhanagar-10, Kathmandu, Nepal