Industry registration in Nepal is the mandatory legal process through which businesses establish their status as recognized industrial enterprises under the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076 (2020). No person, firm, or company can operate an industry in Nepal without first completing registration with the appropriate government authority — either the Department of Industry (DOI) for medium and large industries or the Department of Cottage and Small Industries (DCSI) for smaller operations. This practical guide covers the complete step-by-step registration process, required documents, fees, timelines, environmental requirements, post-registration compliance, and the online application system.
| Industry Category | Registration Authority | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Micro, cottage, small | Dept. of Cottage and Small Industries (DCSI) | District/province level |
| Medium, large | Department of Industry (DOI) | Kathmandu (federal) |
| Foreign-invested | DOI (with FDI approval) | Kathmandu |
| Schedule-1 (restricted) | DOI (with Board/Cabinet permission) | Kathmandu |
| Multi-province operations | DOI | Kathmandu |
For the legal framework, industry classifications, and incentives, see our detailed guide on the Industrial Enterprises Act 2076.
Any Nepali citizen, firm, partnership, or company can apply for industry registration. Foreign investors can register after obtaining approval under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act. The applicant must not be blacklisted by the Government of Nepal and must comply with the Industrial Enterprises Act 2076. Companies registered at the Office of Company Registrar must also register their industry under the Act before commencing business operations.
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application form | Schedule-1 format as prescribed by the Act |
| 2 | Project proposal / business plan | Schedule-2 format — industry details, objectives, capacity, raw materials, machinery |
| 3 | Company registration certificate | From OCR (for companies); or firm registration from DCSI/Dept. of Commerce |
| 4 | Memorandum and Articles of Association | For companies registered under Companies Act |
| 5 | Citizenship certificates | Of all promoters/shareholders (passport for foreigners) |
| 6 | Land ownership or lease documents | Proof of industrial premises |
| 7 | Environmental clearance | IEE or EIA report, if applicable |
| 8 | Financial details | Investment structure, capital sources, bank statements |
| 9 | Passport-size photographs | Of all promoters |
| 10 | Sector-specific licenses | Food, pharma, tourism, financial services, etc. (if applicable) |
| 11 | Technology transfer agreement | For foreign-invested industries (if applicable) |
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Determine classification | Identify whether your industry is micro, cottage, small, medium, or large based on capital investment |
| 2 | Register company (if applicable) | Complete company registration at OCR + obtain PAN |
| 3 | Obtain environmental clearance | Conduct IEE or EIA if required by industry type |
| 4 | Create online account | Register at doind.gov.np (DOI portal) |
| 5 | Upload documents | Scan and upload all required documents with digital signature |
| 6 | Submit application | Complete online form with industry details, objectives, capacity, location |
| 7 | Pay registration fees | Submit fee voucher (varies by industry category) |
| 8 | Physical submission | Submit original/physical copies to DOI or DCSI office |
| 9 | DOI verification | DOI examines documents; may request additional information (90-day window) |
| 10 | Certificate issued | Industry Registration Certificate issued within 5 working days of complete submission |
| Industry Category | Registration Fee (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Micro enterprise | Free |
| Cottage industry | 500 – 2,000 |
| Small industry | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Medium industry | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Large industry | 50,000 – 100,000+ |
| Foreign investment registration | Additional fees under FITTA |
Additional costs may include environmental assessment fees (IEE: NPR 100,000–500,000; EIA: NPR 500,000+), professional consultant fees, and document notarization charges. Female entrepreneurs receive 35% exemption on registration fees.
| Scenario | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Complete application (all documents + fees) | 5 working days |
| Incomplete documents — DOI requests additional info | Up to 90 days (applicant response window) |
| Application rejection (after failed response) | 5 days after 90-day deadline |
| Large industries with EIA requirement | 60–90 days overall |
| Schedule-1 industries (Board permission needed) | Additional 2–4 weeks for Board approval |
Industries with potential environmental impact must obtain clearances before registration. The Environment Protection Act, 2076 requires an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for medium-impact industries and a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for high-impact operations such as mining, large-scale manufacturing, chemical processing, and energy production. Environmental clearance is submitted as part of the registration application. Industries that begin operations without required clearances face penalties and potential shutdown orders.
After receiving the Industry Registration Certificate, industries must complete several steps before and during operations:
| Requirement | Deadline / Frequency |
|---|---|
| Report commencement of operations to DOI | Within 30 days of starting |
| Register at local ward office | Before operations begin |
| Obtain PAN (if not already done) | Before financial transactions |
| Register for VAT (if above threshold) | Within 30 days of crossing threshold |
| Submit annual financial reports | Annually to DOI |
| Comply with labour law | Ongoing |
| Environmental monitoring and reporting | As prescribed |
| CSR allocation (medium/large industries) | 1% of annual net profit |
| Industry renewal | Before registration expiry |
Industries must submit operation details within 6 months of the fiscal year end for renewal. The process requires updated documentation, payment of renewal fees, compliance reports, and clearance of all pending government dues. If an industry does not begin operations within the period specified in its registration certificate, it must notify the authority at least 30 days before expiry. Failure to renew can result in ineligibility for government incentives, import-export benefits, and potential cancellation of registration.
Depending on industry type, additional licenses may be needed beyond the basic registration:
| Industry Sector | Additional License From |
|---|---|
| Food processing / manufacturing | Department of Food Technology and Quality Control |
| Pharmaceutical manufacturing | Drug Controller, Department of Drug Administration |
| Financial services | Nepal Rastra Bank |
| Tourism (hotels, travel agencies) | Department of Tourism |
| Telecommunications | Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) |
| Mining / mineral extraction | Department of Mines and Geology |
| Import-export operations | EXIM code from Department of Customs |
While Nepal Divorce Services is Nepal's first specialized divorce and family law firm, our legal team also handles business registration matters. We can assist with determining your industry classification, preparing project proposals and applications, filing with DOI or DCSI, obtaining environmental clearances, and ensuring post-registration compliance.
For legal assistance, contact us at +977 9841114443 or on WhatsApp.
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Industrial Enterprises Act 2076 | Industrial Enterprises Act in Nepal |
| Small business registration | Small Business Registration in Nepal |
| Company registration | Company Registration in Nepal |
| EXIM code | EXIM Code Registration in Nepal |
| VAT law | VAT Law in Nepal |
| Foreign investment | Foreign Investment Law in Nepal |
Steps: (1) Determine your industry classification (micro/cottage/small/medium/large), (2) Prepare required documents including project proposal and company registration certificate, (3) Create an online account at doind.gov.np, (4) Upload documents and submit the application, (5) Pay registration fees, (6) Submit physical copies to the Department of Industry or DCSI, (7) DOI verifies documents, (8) Receive Industry Registration Certificate within 5 working days of complete submission.
Registration authority depends on industry type:
See the Industrial Enterprises Act 2076 for classification details.
Required documents include:
Registration fees vary by category:
Additional costs may include environmental assessment fees (NPR 500,000+), professional consultant fees, and document notarization charges.
The DOI issues the Industry Registration Certificate within 5 working days of receiving complete documents and fees. If documents are insufficient, DOI informs the applicant to submit required details within 90 days. If the applicant fails to provide them, DOI can reject the application within 5 days with written reasons. Large industries with EIA requirements may take 60–90 days overall.
Yes. The Industrial Enterprises Act 2076 allows online submission of applications with digital signatures. Create an account at the DOI portal (doind.gov.np), upload all required documents electronically, and submit the application. Physical copies of documents must still be submitted to the DOI office after online filing.
Yes. If you are registering as a company (private limited or public limited), you must first register with the Office of Company Registrar (OCR) under the Companies Act, 2063. You will also need a PAN card and ward office registration. Sole proprietorships can register directly at DCSI or DOI without OCR registration.
Registered industries must submit operation details within 6 months of the fiscal year end. Renewal requires: updated documentation, payment of renewal fees, compliance reports, and clearance of all pending dues. If an industry does not start operations within the period specified in its registration certificate, it must inform the authority at least 30 days before expiry or within 6 months after expiry (with a delay fee).
Industries in environmentally sensitive sectors must obtain clearances before registration:
These are governed by the Environment Protection Act, 2076. The cost of EIA can range from NPR 500,000 to several million rupees depending on project scale.
After registration, industries must: report commencement of operations within 30 days, submit annual financial reports to DOI, comply with labour laws, maintain environmental safeguards, file tax returns through PAN, register for VAT if turnover exceeds threshold, cooperate with DOI inspection teams, and fulfill CSR obligations (1% of net profit for medium/large industries).
Depending on the industry type, additional licenses may be required: food industries need approval from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control; pharmaceutical manufacturing needs Drug Controller approval; financial institutions need Nepal Rastra Bank licensing; tourism businesses need Department of Tourism registration; and industries dealing with hazardous materials need environmental and safety certifications.
Yes. Foreign investors can register industries at the Department of Industry after obtaining approval under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act. Additional requirements include minimum investment thresholds, technology transfer agreements (if applicable), repatriation documentation, and compliance with sector-specific restrictions on foreign ownership.
Operating an industry without registration is an offence under the Industrial Enterprises Act 2076. Penalties include monetary fines, mandatory registration, ineligibility for government incentives or import-export benefits, and potential operational suspension. Industries existing before the Act's commencement had one year to register.
The One-Stop Service Centre (OSSC) at the Department of Industry provides all registration, permit, clearance, and incentive services from a single location — representing multiple government agencies. It significantly reduces bureaucratic delays. The OSSC handles registration, environmental clearances, tax registration coordination, and incentive processing in one place.
A lawyer can assist with: determining correct industry classification, preparing project proposals and registration documents, filing online and physical applications, obtaining environmental clearances, securing Schedule-1 permissions, ensuring post-registration compliance, and resolving DOI disputes. Contact Nepal Divorce Services at +977 9841114443 for legal assistance.
At Nepal Divorce Services, Nepal's first specialized divorce law firm, we understand that taking the first step toward divorce can feel overwhelming. Our experienced divorce lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Whether you're inside or outside Nepal and need assistance with filing a divorce case, our services are accessible worldwide. Contact us at +977 9841114443, on WhatsApp, or Viber.
