INGO Registration in Nepal: SWC Approval & Agreements 2026

INGO registration and approval in Nepal

An international non-governmental organisation cannot assume that its foreign registration permits operations, fundraising, employment or project implementation in Nepal. The Social Welfare Act, 2049 establishes the Social Welfare Council (SWC) framework for international social organisations seeking to work in Nepal.

Quick answer

The organisation should confirm legal eligibility and sector alignment, assemble authenticated home-country and governance documents, apply through the current SWC route, negotiate the applicable General Agreement governing its Nepal presence, and obtain Project Agreement approval for defined programmes. It must also coordinate tax, banking, foreign funding, local partnership, office, employment, visa and reporting requirements.

NGO and INGO are different

A Nepal NGO is a domestic legal entity formed under Nepal law. An INGO is constituted abroad and seeks permission to operate in Nepal. Creating or funding a local NGO does not automatically authorise the foreign organisation itself, and an SWC affiliation certificate for a Nepal NGO is not an INGO General Agreement.

1. Conduct an entry assessment

Define the proposed sectors, beneficiaries, geographic areas, duration, budget, funding source, implementing model and relationship with government agencies or Nepal partners. Check whether sector-specific consent, ministry coordination, restricted-area permission or professional licensing is needed.

The organisation should map what activities will be performed by the foreign entity and what will be performed by a Nepal counterpart. Avoid using a local partner as a nominal pass-through.

2. Establish organisational eligibility

Prepare evidence of foreign legal status, nonprofit character, constitution or charter, governing body, authority to open Nepal operations, recent activities and financial capacity. Confirm the organisation is in good standing in its home jurisdiction.

Documents issued abroad may need certified translation, notarisation, authentication or legalisation. Verify SWC's current form and document treatment before commissioning expensive certifications.

3. Prepare the Nepal programme framework

Develop a credible country strategy and proposed programme showing objectives, outputs, locations, implementation arrangements, monitoring, safeguards, sustainability, overheads and budget. Align representations across the application, donor documents and local agreements.

4. General Agreement

The General Agreement ordinarily establishes the framework for the INGO's authorised presence and operations with SWC. It should be reviewed together with the approved organisation details, duration, commitments, reporting, staffing, banking, assets and government coordination.

Do not treat signature as a blanket approval for every future programme. Changes in purpose, geography, budget or implementation may require further approval.

5. Project Agreement

A Project Agreement addresses the specific programme, duration, location, budget, funding and implementation structure. SWC's reporting and published project data distinguish General Agreements from Project Agreements.

Where a Nepal NGO is the counterpart, conduct governance, sanctions, financial-control, safeguarding and capacity due diligence. The project agreement, grant agreement and partnership contract should be consistent but serve their distinct purposes.

6. Foreign funding and banking

Use approved banking channels and ensure grant receipts match the approved project, donor and budget. Coordinate SWC, bank, tax and any central-bank or ministry requirements applicable to the transaction. Keep donor agreements, approval letters, remittance evidence and expenditure records linked.

7. Office, staff and immigration

An agreement does not by itself complete every employment or immigration step. Foreign staff may require recommendations, work authorisation and the appropriate visa. Nepal staff require compliant employment contracts, payroll, withholding and social-security treatment.

Define who may sign contracts, operate accounts, procure, hire and represent the INGO. Maintain local delegations of authority and conflict-of-interest controls.

8. Programme implementation and changes

Track activities, outputs, locations and spending against the approved Project Agreement. Obtain approval before material changes where required. Maintain procurement files, partner monitoring, safeguarding, complaints, asset registers and beneficiary-data controls.

9. Reporting, evaluation and closure

Prepare financial and narrative reports in the required formats and periods. Budget for audit, monitoring and evaluation. At project or country closure, address staff, leases, bank accounts, assets, records, unspent funds and government/SWC clearances.

INGO entry checklist

1. Define the Nepal mission and project pipeline. 2. Confirm home-country status and board authority. 3. Authenticate and translate required documents. 4. Prepare programme, budget and partner structure. 5. Obtain the applicable SWC General Agreement. 6. Secure Project Agreement approval before implementation. 7. Complete tax, banking, office, staffing and visa steps. 8. Monitor agreements, reports, audits and changes.

Review note

This guide was reviewed on 21 July 2026. SWC forms, agreement templates, fees and inter-agency procedures may change; verify the current requirements directly with SWC before submission.