Nationality of Nepal: all obtaining pathways
Nepal keeps one of South Asia's most demanding regimes: fifteen years of residence for ordinary naturalization, and ten years of marriage to a Nepali citizen for the spousal route. Nationality is passed on by descent — ius sanguinis — with no prior residence requirement.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- The general naturalisation of the Act 2063/2006 is for SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS (s. 5(4)): science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace, human welfare or Nepali industry/finance/social development
- Residence in Nepal ≥15 YEARS (s. 5(4)(d))
- Read and write Nepali or another language practiced in Nepal (s. 5(4)(a))
- Occupation in Nepal and Nepali domicile (s. 5(4)(b))
- Renunciation of the previous citizenship (s. 5(4)(c))
- RECIPROCITY: be a citizen of a country that naturalises Nepalis (s. 5(4)(e))
- Good moral character and mental health (s. 5(4)(f-g))
- Discretionary grant by the Government of Nepal + oath (s. 5(6))
- Practical note: grants on this route have been de facto frozen for years (FWLD)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a residence visa
- Criminal record certificate
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Certificate of knowledge of Nepali
- Proof of employment or means of subsistence
- Formal application
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Nepali citizen (since the 2015 Constitution, both parents must be Nepali citizens at the time of birth for full ius sanguinis)
- Registration of the birth with the Nepali authorities
- Nepal does not allow dual citizenship (except for minors up to 21 years old)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' Citizenship Certificate
- Birth registration in Nepal
3By marriage
By marriage
Requirements
- A foreign woman married to a Nepali citizen (Citizenship Act 2063/2006, s. 5(1); Constitution 2015, art. 11(6) defers to federal law)
- Application in the prescribed form to the designated officer
- Document proving the marital relationship with the Nepali citizen
- Evidence of the INITIATION of RENUNCIATION of her foreign citizenship (s. 5(1))
- The Interim Constitution 2006 required 15 years of marriage+residence — the 2015 Constitution REMOVED that term and deferred to the law; the Act 2006 sets no years (administrative practice requires effective cohabitation)
- Oath and certificate (s. 5(6))
Documentation
- Marriage certificate registered in Nepal
- Nepali spouse's Citizenship Certificate
- 10-year residence certificate
- Certificate of knowledge of Nepali
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Nepal
How many years of residence does Nepal require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Nepal (Naturalization by residence), the term is 15 years’ residence (s. 5(4)(d)) — special-contribution route. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Nepal allow dual nationality?
Renunciation of the previous citizenship (s. 5(4)(c))
Can the nationality of Nepal be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the By marriage pathway (No year-count in the current law: marital relationship and renunciation required). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Nepal require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a residence visa; Criminal record certificate; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; Certificate of knowledge of Nepali; Proof of employment or means of subsistence; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Nepal?
Nepal provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, By marriage.
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