Job Center / Employment Agency Registration in Nepal
Nepal has two types of employment agencies: domestic job placement agencies (registered with the Department of Labour) and foreign employment agencies (licensed by the Department of Foreign Employment — DoFE). Both require OCR company registration first.
Two Types of Employment Agencies
Domestic Employment Agency
- → Places workers in jobs within Nepal
- → Regulated by Ministry of Labour (MoLESS)
- → Lower capital requirement
- → Simpler registration process
- → Must follow Labour Act, 2074
Foreign Employment Agency (Manpower)
- → Sends Nepali workers to jobs abroad
- → Regulated by DoFE under Foreign Employment Act, 2064
- → Minimum capital: NPR 50 Lakhs
- → Bank guarantee: NPR 20 Lakhs
- → Strict compliance requirements
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Register Your Company at OCR
Register a Private Limited Company at the OCR CAMIS portal. For a foreign employment agency, your objectives must specifically mention 'foreign employment services', 'manpower supply', or 'overseas job placement'. The company must have a minimum paid-up capital of NPR 50 Lakhs declared in your MOA.
- 2
Get Business PAN from IRD
Register for a Business PAN at the Inland Revenue Department. This is required before applying for your employment agency license.
- 3
Complete Ward Registration and Initial Updates
Register at your local ward office and complete all initial OCR post-registration requirements: initial update, share lagat, and auditor appointment. These must be done before applying for the employment agency license.
- 4
Deposit Capital and Obtain Bank Guarantee
For foreign employment agencies: deposit the required minimum capital (NPR 50 Lakhs) into your corporate bank account and obtain a bank guarantee of NPR 20 Lakhs from a commercial bank. Both the bank statement showing capital and the bank guarantee certificate must be submitted to DoFE.
- 5
Apply for Foreign Employment License at DoFE
Submit your application at the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) in Kathmandu. Along with all required documents, pay the license fee of NPR 25,000. DoFE will inspect your office and verify all documents before issuing the license. This process typically takes 30–45 days.
- 6
Receive License and Register with Welfare Fund
After DoFE approval, you will receive your Foreign Employment Agency License. You must also register workers with the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund and contribute NPR 1,500 per worker sent abroad as a welfare fund contribution.
Required Documents
- Company Registration Certificate from OCR (with minimum capital NPR 50 Lakhs for foreign employment)
- Business PAN Certificate from IRD
- Ward Registration Certificate
- Initial Update Certificate from OCR
- Corporate bank account statement showing minimum capital
- Bank Guarantee Certificate (NPR 20 Lakhs) from a commercial bank
- Citizenship certificates of all directors and shareholders
- Office lease agreement (minimum 1-year lease)
- Passport-sized photographs of directors
- Affidavit confirming no criminal record (directors)
- Tax clearance certificate (for renewals)
- Application form as prescribed by DoFE
Compliance After Getting the License
Running a foreign employment agency comes with serious legal obligations:
- →You can only send workers to countries where Nepal has bilateral labour agreements or general permission from DoFE.
- →Workers must receive proper job contracts before departure — verified by DoFE.
- →You must contribute NPR 1,500 per worker to the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund.
- →License renewal is required every 2 years with updated documents and tax clearance.
- →Any exploitation or fraud against workers can result in immediate license cancellation and criminal charges.
- →Maintain proper records of all workers placed abroad.
Need help with this process? Chartered Corporate Business Consulting handles it all for you — from start to finish.