Nepal residential visa

The Department of Immigration lists four groups: persons of international reputation; persons capable of rendering an outstanding contribution to Nepal's economic, social or cultural growth; persons who have invested at least USD 100,000 or the equivalent in an industrial enterprise in Nepal; and any foreigner intending to spend their life in Nepal without carrying on any business. The last group is the route used by retirees, since it requires proof of age of 60 or over or proof of retirement.

Investors of at least USD 100,000 in a Nepali industrial business submit the company registration, PAN/VAT, share and industry registration certificates and a recommendation from the Department of Industry, and add a tax clearance when renewing. Their fee on the visa information page is USD 200 for the first year and USD 100 a year on renewal.

Applicants in the no-business category show a bank statement of USD 20,000 and a certificate of regular income of at least USD 20,000 a year, verified by their embassy. They also submit a character certificate, a no-objection letter from their embassy, a health certificate from the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and proof of age or retirement. At renewal they add a statement showing expenditure of USD 20,000 in Nepal.

The Department publishes two versions of the fee. Its consolidated fee table gives USD 1,200 a year for the Residential Visa. Its visa information page breaks this down: for the no-business category USD 700 a year for a new visa, USD 1,200 for renewal and USD 100 for people who have held the visa since before 1998. Ask the Non-Tourist Visa section which applies. The visa is issued the day after the Ministry of Home Affairs approves it, and renewals are completed on the same day.