Eligibility quiz
Did one of your grandparents become a citizen of another country after being a citizen of Nepal by birth or descent?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Nepalese passport
Nepalese citizens can get an e-passport for travel from a district office in Nepal or a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad.
An application needs a citizenship certificate or the identity document that applies to a minor.
The citizenship certificate also serves as proof of identity for official services and transactions.
Live in Nepal for life
Nepalese citizens can live in Nepal indefinitely.
Citizenship does not need regular renewal and does not expire just because its holder lives abroad.
Study in Nepal
Citizenship supports access to education in Nepal, and a citizenship certificate is commonly needed for enrolment.
Children have a right to education.
Work in Nepal
Nepalese citizens have a right to work and choose their work, though this does not guarantee a job.
Workers have rights to fair treatment, fair pay and workplace facilities.
Citizens can also run a business.
Contact Nepalese missions abroad
A Nepalese passport gives its holder access to Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.
Own and use property
Nepalese citizens can own, use and transfer property and carry out property transactions.
A citizenship certificate can also be used to open a bank account.
Vote in elections
Nepalese citizens can vote from age 18 in one electoral area, provided they register and meet election rules.
Use public healthcare
Citizenship supports access to public healthcare, though it does not by itself make care free.
Children have rights to health, care and development, with special protection for vulnerable children.
Receive social support
Workers have rights to social security based on their contributions; unemployment help depends on the law.
Special support is available to groups defined by law, including people in poverty, people with disabilities, children and others who need care.
How to apply
Applying at a district officeApplying at a district office
Find the district office
Find the District Administration Office in the district that issued the Nepali citizenship certificate your application is based on.
Find the district officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I find the Nepal District Administration Office that handles my non-resident Nepali citizenship application?”
Download the application form
Download Schedule 8C, the application for a non-resident Nepali citizenship certificate, and the commitment and oath forms.
Download the formsFill in the form
Fill in and sign the application and prepare the commitment and oath forms.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the district office.
See required documentsGet a local recommendation
Ask the ward or municipality where you or the Nepali parent or grandparent named in your application now lives or formerly lived permanently to complete the recommendation section of the form.
Find recommendation guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a ward or municipality recommendation for Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed application, recommendation and documents to the district office, and provide your photograph, signature and thumbprints. Pay the fee with the Rs 10 ticket shown on the form.
Find submission guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship application at a District Administration Office?”
Attend identity verification
Attend verification at the district office with the Nepali parent or grandparent named in your application, where applicable. If that person cannot attend, ask the office whether another close relative or Nepali citizen who knows you can identify you.
Find verification guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does identity verification work for Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship at a District Administration Office?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the district office to decide and answer any questions or requests for more documents. The office may also arrange a ward or police inquiry.
See decision guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship application take at a District Administration Office?”
Collect your certificate
Once approved, collect your certificate from the district office. It gives you economic, social and cultural rights in Nepal, but not political rights.
Find collection guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Nepal non-resident Nepali citizenship certificate from a District Administration Office?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide records showing how you are related to your Nepali grandparent through your parent. Your birth certificate and your parent's birth certificate can show these family ties; get copies from the offices that hold the records.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Provide your Nepali grandparent's Nepali citizenship certificate and proof that they later became a citizen of another country. Their Nepali certificate must show that they were a Nepali citizen by birth or descent.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship can be lost
Voluntarily taking another citizenship can end Nepalese citizenship.
Citizenship can also end if a person gives it up.
It can be cancelled if it was obtained through fraud, false information or against the law.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Kathmandu Expats
English Facebook group for people living in Nepal interested in Nepalese local life
Join on FacebookKathmandu expats group
English Facebook group for people living in Nepal interested in Nepalese local life
Join on FacebookExpats & foreigners in nepal
English Facebook group for people living in Nepal interested in Nepalese local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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