Non-Resident Nepali Association
गैरआवासीय नेपाली संघ
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is NRN?

The term ‘Non Resident Nepali’ (NRN) defined by the law made by the Parliament of the Nepal. This term is used to indicate two types of People. It is used for persons of Nepali origin holding citizenship of countries other than member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Nepali nationals residing outside of SAARC member states.

Why was NRNA established?

The Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) was established to unite the Nepali Diaspora; utilise their knowledge, skills, resources in the interest of Nepal and involve them in the socio-economic development of Nepal and the Nepali people.

How was NRNA Established?

The idea of establishing a global Nepali organization (NRNA) was conceptualized by Nepalese living in Russia in 2002, later to globalize and materialize the idea, a few Nepali community leaders residing in various countries of the world met in London, in 2003 and decided to form a Coordination Committee to unite the Nepali diaspora. They also discussed the possibility of organising an international conference of NRNs in Nepal. The idea quickly got the support of the Government of Nepal and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). This led to the joint organisation of First Non-Resident Nepali Conference on 11-14 October 2003. The assembled NRN delegates of that conference decided to join their hands together to organise NRNA as a common forum of NRNs.

When was NRNA Established?

The date of inauguration of the First NRN Global Conference, i e., 11th October 2003 is considered to be the establishment date of NRNA. 11th October is also declared as NRN day by Nepal Government. The formal registration of NRNA by the Government of Nepal was on 20 October 2013.

What is an NRN Card?

NRN Card is an identity card issued to a Non-Resident Nepali by the Government of Nepal. NRNcard entitles card holder various benefits as listed in the NRN Act and bylaws. It is issued to those who approach the concerned government body.

Which agency issues the NRN Card?

The NRN card is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu(+977014200182). Outside of Nepal, the NRN cards are issued by the Nepali Embassies and Missions.

What are privileges of having NRN Card?

  1. -Identity of the status of the person as NRN
  2. -Free Visa to enter and stay in Nepal (for persons having citizenship of countries other than SAARC Countries)
  3. -Right to open a bank account in convertible foreign currency
  4. -Eligibility to make investment in convertible foreign currency
  5. -Provision to repatriate proceeds of the investment out of Nepal in convertible Foreign currency if investment made in the same currency
  6. -Purchase and sale of land (area as referred in NRNA bylaws) to limited extent Inheritance of ancestral property and ownership of that property in Nepal
  7. -Tax Exemption on initial capital of investment
  8. -Certificate of Investment Tax Exemption on upto NPR15 Lakhs remittance to close relatives of NRN in one fiscal year for personal expenses
  9. -Tax exemption on the remitted funds via formal banking channel for the Social, Political, Cultural, Religious, Charity, Sports and Disaster Relief Projects
  10. -Rights to establish Industry and Business and enjoy investment facilities as enjoyed by Foreigners

What is the process of obtaining NRN Card?

The NRNs willing to obtain NRN Card have to register their names by providing their detailed information as prescribed in the format stated in NRN Bylaws 2009 (2066) and put forward the application to Nepal Government – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu or Nepal Embassy and Mission offices abroad.

List of documents required for obtaining NRN Card?

FOREIGN NATIONALS OF NEPALI ORIGIN:

  • -A duly filled in application form (as prescribed in NRN Bylaws 2009(2066)
  • -Naturalization Certificate and its copy provided by respective country
  • -Copy of Passport issued by respective country

Citizenship Certificate and a copy of it  as a proof of Nepali Origin for person who earlier held Nepali citizenship)

  • -Copy of Citizenship Certificate of Father/Mother/Grandfather/Grandmother or any other document that proves their Nepali Nationality and evidence of relationship
  • -Document/proof of any profession or business in the country of current nationality
  • -Document/proof of employment in the country of current nationality.
  • -A recent passport size photo (for the application form)
  • -Two recent auto size photo (for the identity card)
  • -Application and Card Fee
  •  
  • NEPALI CITIZENS RESIDING ABROAD:
  • -A duly filled in application form (as prescribed in NRN Bylaws 2009(2066).
  • -Nepali Citizenship Certificate and its copy
  • -Nepali Passport and its copy
  • -Documents related to business/profession in the current country of residence
  • -Document/proof of employment in the current country of residence
  • -A recent passport size photo
  • -Two recent auto size photo (for the identity card)
  • -Application and Card Fee
  1. What is the fee structure of getting NRN Card?
  • Application Fee: USD 20 outside of Nepal or Rs. 1500 in Nepal

Card Fee for Foreign Citizen of Nepali Origin:

Countries of Europe, North America, South America, Australia Region including New Zealand, Japan and Korea of Asia Pacific Region           – USD 500

Countries except above listed                      – USD 250

Card fee for Nepali Citizen residing outside of Nepal: USD 50

  1. What is the validity of NRN Card?
  • The validity of the NRN cards is 10 (Ten) years for Foreign Nationals of Nepali Origin and 2 (Two) years for Nepali citizens residing abroad.
  1. Who are eligible to get NRN Card?
  • Foreign citizen of Nepali Origin or Nepali Citizen residing outside of Nepal are eligible to get NRN Card
  1. Is it necessary to get affiliation of NRNA to obtain NRN card?
  • No, affiliation with NRNA is not compulsary.
  1. Is foreign Spouse of NRN eligible to get NRN Card?
  • The NRN card is given only to those who are either foreign nationals of Nepali origin or who are Nepali citizens residing abroad.
  1. Can NRN card holders exercise their voting/ political rights?
  • No, the NRN Cardholders are not automatically given political rights.
  1. Do NRNs need visa to enter and stay in Nepal?
  • The foreign nationals of Nepali origin do need a valid visa to enter into and stay in Nepal. But such visa is issued free of charges (gratis) at the entry points as well as in the missions and at the immigration offices for persons with NRN Cards. Nepali Citizens residing abroad do not need any visa to enter into and exit from Nepal.
  1. Do NRNs get on arrival visa in Nepal?
  • NRN Card holders get Tourist visa (Gratis) on arrival at the airport. The rule governing visa for persons of Nepali Origin without NRN Card is the same as applied to any other foreign national.
  1. What is NRN Visa?
  • NRN Visa is Tourist (Gratis) visa issued to an NRN Card holder upon arrival at the Nepal airport. It is issued for given number of days as pre-determined by the Department of Immigration, Nepal Government.

NRN Visa can be extended by applying at Department of Immigration (Non Tourist Visa Section) along with specified documents. It is extended for maximum of one year at a time.  NRN visa both at the airport and DOI is issued free of charges till the date of validity of NRN card. NRN card holders are not allowed to stay in Nepal without acquiring NRN Visa.

 

  1. What are the documents required for obtaining the NRN Visa?
  • -Online Application available at the DOI website
  • -NRN Card issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions based abroad (Original  and Photocopy)
  • -Valid Passport
  • -Photocopy of Passport and latest Nepalese Visa
  • -Health Certificate
  1. Does NRN Card work as the visa for the NRNs?
  • No, the card only enables the NRNs to obtain Visa free of charges.
  1. Do NRNs need to take visa after obtaining NRN Card?
  • Yes, but visa fee is waived (no visa fee).
  1. Are NRN Card holders allowed to stay in Nepal for 10 Consecutive Years?
  • Yes, but they need to renew their visas every year at Immigration Department of Nepal.
  1. Does NRN have to relinquish their Nepali citizenship to obtain NRN card?
  • As already stated, there are two types of NRNs. In case of Nepali citizens residing abroad, they do not have to relinquish their Nepali citizenship to obtain an NRN Card. In case of Foreign Nationals of Nepali Origin, the Nepali law specifies that a Nepali citizen whenever acquires a nationality of a foreign country, he or she automatically ceases to be a Nepali citizen
  1. Does Nepal Government recognize Dual Citizenship of NRNs?
  • No, Nepal does not allow its citizens to hold dual nationality. But the current constitution has a provision of Non Resident Nepali citizenship of nationals of other countries. A person having a NRN citizenship enjoy economic, social and cultural rights. In other words, they cannot enjoy the political rights generally enjoyed by a citizen.
  1. Are NRNs allowed to work in Nepal as a full time and part time staffs of Civil, Private, NGOs sector or take up their professions like Lawyer, Consultant, and Journalist, Trekking Guide in Nepal?

 

  • As of now, Foreign Citizen of Nepali Origin are not allowed to hold Civil and Government jobs where as they can apply for jobs at Private Companies and NGOs by taking work permit from concerned authorities. The Nepali Citizens residing abroad do not face such restriction. But once they start to stay in Nepal, they may lose the NRN status. Also, Foreign Nationals of Nepali origin have to follow the same rule as any other foreign national to pursue professions. With implementation of the NRN citizenship, the conditions may be eased significantly.
  1. Do underaged children (0-16 years) of NRNs require to take NRN card?
  • No, the underaged children are neither eligible nor need to take NRN card.
  1. How can a foreign Spouse of NRN get NRN Card?
  • As of today, a spouse of NRN with Foreign nationality cannot obtain NRN card unless he or she on their own right qualify for obtaining such card.
  1. Are NRNs allowed to hold bank account in Nepal?

Yes, any NRN with a valid NRN card can open and maintain a bank account.

  1. Are NRNs allowed to repatriate proceeds from the sale of their investment in Nepal (capital and profit) from Nepal to foreign Land?
  • Yes, provided they have acquired necessary permits for investment in Nepal and have fulfilled the norms like tax clearances as stated in Clause No. 7 of NRN Act 2007 (2064).
  1. How can NRNs repatriate the profits from their investment in Nepal?
  • They have to follow the same procedures as any other foreign investor.
  1. What are the procedures for NRNs to make investment in Nepal?
  • They have to follow the procedure of foreign investment, i. e. they have to apply to Nepal Government -Department of Industry, get preliminary approval, register a company, take necessary sectoral approvals and start business.
  1. Can NRN invest and trade in IPO, FPO, mutual funds and bonds and debentures?
  • Although the law does not prohibit such investment, but due to the lack of procedures, such investment has not been possible so far.
  1. What are the things to consider for NRNs in terms of Tax and Investment in Nepal?
  • The Nepalese tax law has the provision of Resident and Non-Resident taxpayer. The resident taxpayers have to declare their global income and pay taxes accordingly. The Non Resident taxpayers have to declare their earnings in Nepal and pay taxes on their income in Nepal. The NRNs have to pay taxes as Non-Resident taxpayer on their earnings in Nepal.
  1. Can persons of Nepali origin apply for loans from financial institutions in Nepal?
  • Individually, the persons of Nepali origin may not be able to obtain loan from financial institutions, but whenever they make investment, in Nepal, that is done through a company. In other words, they have to incorporate a company. That company is a bonafide Nepali legal entity and that company can obtain loans from financial institutions of Nepal
  1. Can NRN inherit property from their parents/relatives?
  • Yes as per provisions stated in the NRNA Bylaws 2066, their right to inheritance as per Nepali law is allowed. The new civil code of Nepal allows the holders of NRN Citizenship the right to inherit own and maintain property at par with other Nepali citizens.
  1. Is there any restriction in the amount of property to be owned and inherited by persons of Nepali origin?
  • Yes, There is a limit on buying property by foreign nationals of Nepali origin(NRN card holders). As stated in Clause No. 11 of NRN Bylaws 2066 which states NRN and their family members can purchase and own land and other fixed assest as specified below:
    1. Maximum of Two Ropanis in Kathmandu Valley
    2. Maximum of 8 Kathha in Metropolitan Cities of Terai
    3. Maximum of 4 Ropanis in Metropolitan Cities of Other Districts Except Clause

A and B

  1. Maximum of 1 Biggha in other areas of Terai Except Clause B
  2. Maximu of 10 Ropanis in other areas except Clause A, B, C and D.
  1. What will happen to the property which was owned by NRN when he was a resident of Nepal?
  • As per the NRN Act and Rules, the NRN cardholders can keep the property owned by them when they were citizens of Nepal.
  1. Can Persons of Nepali origin sell their property and take back their money to foreign land?
  • Yes they can do that following the process as prescribed in the prevailing law.
  1. What if NRN over stay in Nepal?
  • The foreign nationals have to abide by the laws relating to immigration. If somebody whether he or she is an NRN or not, is found to have breached the law, they will be penalised as per the law. .
  1. Can NRN reacquire Nepali Citizenship?
  • Nepal Citizenship Act 2006 Clause No. 11 states: If any Citizen of Nepal who has acquired foreign citizenship returns to reside in Nepal and submits a notification to the designated authority the evidence he or she has renounced his or her foreign citizenship shall be reinstated the Nepalese citizenship from the date of registering such evidence. In other words, the person concerned shall have to prove his/ her previous Nepali Nationality and the evidence that his/her foreign nationality has been annulled.
  1. Will persons who reacquire Nepali Citizenship be treated as the common citizens of Nepal and have access to all the rights provided to Nepali Citizens?
  • Yes, the citizenship when reinstated is to the same category as his /her previous citizenship category.
  1. Is it necessary to have an NRN card to be member of NRNA?
  • No, it is not necessary to have an NRN card to be a member of NRNA. It is only the eligibility criteria to acquire the NRN card and the NRNA membership (registered membership) are the same.