Travel Agency Registration in Nepal
To legally operate a travel agency, trekking company, or tour operator in Nepal, you need company registration at OCR followed by a tourism license from the Department of Tourism. The license must be renewed every 5 years.
Types of Tourism Business Licenses
| License Type | What You Can Do | Min. Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Agency | Book flights, hotels, tours, visas, packages | NPR 25 Lakhs |
| Trekking Agency | Organize treks, hire guides & porters | NPR 10 Lakhs |
| Tour Operator (Outbound) | Send Nepali tourists abroad | NPR 50 Lakhs |
Capital requirements are approximate and may vary. Check the latest guidelines from the Department of Tourism.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Register Your Company at OCR
Register a Private Limited Company at the OCR CAMIS portal. Company objectives must include tourism-related activities such as 'travel agency services', 'trekking and tour operations', 'hotel booking and travel planning', 'adventure tourism', or 'inbound and outbound tourism'. Ensure the paid-up capital in your MOA meets the minimum requirement for the type of license you want.
- 2
Get Business PAN from IRD
Register for a Business PAN at the Inland Revenue Department after receiving your company registration certificate.
- 3
Complete Ward Registration and Initial Updates
Register at the local ward office and complete the OCR initial update and share lagat requirements within 3 months of company registration.
- 4
Secure a Long-Term Office Lease
The Department of Tourism requires a minimum 5-year office lease agreement. The lease must be signed with the landlord and notarized. Your office must be in a commercially accessible location and have proper facilities for conducting tourism business.
- 5
Obtain Bank Guarantee
Get a bank guarantee certificate of NPR 5 Lakhs from a reputable commercial bank. This is a security deposit that protects tourists in case the agency fails to deliver services. Submit the bank guarantee to the Department of Tourism with your license application.
- 6
Apply for Tourism License at the Department of Tourism
Submit your complete application at the Department of Tourism (tourismdepartment.gov.np) or the relevant Provincial Tourism Office. Pay the application fee (approximately NPR 25,000 for a standard travel agency). The Department will review your documents and may inspect your office.
- 7
Receive Tourism License
After approval, you will receive your tourism agency license certificate. This license is valid for 5 years and must be displayed at your office. Renew it before it expires to continue operating legally.
Required Documents
- Company Registration Certificate from OCR
- Business PAN Certificate from IRD
- Ward Registration Certificate
- Share Registry (Share Lagat) — showing minimum paid-up capital
- Citizenship certificates of all directors and shareholders
- Office lease agreement (minimum 5 years, notarized)
- Bank guarantee certificate (NPR 5 Lakhs)
- Passport-sized photographs of authorized representative/directors
- Board meeting resolution approving tourism license application
- Power of attorney (if applying through a representative)
- Details of tourism staff and their qualifications
- Application form from the Department of Tourism
After Getting Your Tourism License
Once licensed, here are the key ongoing requirements for your travel agency:
- →Display your tourism license at your office — it must be visible to customers.
- →Register with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for additional industry recognition and marketing support.
- →Keep your PAN and VAT records updated and file taxes regularly.
- →Conduct annual audits and submit required information to the Department of Tourism.
- →Renew the license every 5 years — start the renewal process at least 3 months before expiry.
- →If you hire trekking guides, ensure they hold a valid Trekking Guide License issued by NTB.
Need help with this process? Chartered Corporate Business Consulting handles it all for you — from start to finish.