Legal Provisions for NRN Citizenship

Nepal has provisions for Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) citizenship, allowing individuals of Nepali origin who have acquired foreign citizenship to maintain ties with their home country and enjoy certain rights. The NRN citizenship is primarily governed by the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015) Article 14, Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063 (2006) Section 7(a) and 8A, Non-Resident Nepali Act, 2064 (2008), Non-Resident Nepali Rules, 2066 (2009), and Nepal Citizenship Regulations, 2063 (2006) Third Amendment of 2080/2023.

Who is eligible?

A person who him/herself or whose father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother was a citizen of Nepal at any time and has subsequently acquired the citizenship of any other foreign country other than a SAARC member country.

Rights and Limitations:

• Economic, social, and cultural rights including property ownership and investment. • No political rights (voting or public office). • Property purchase within prescribed limits (e.g., 2 Ropani in Kathmandu Valley, 8 Katha in Terai municipalities). • Investment as "Foreign Investors" under FITTA 2019. • Visa facilities including NRN visa valid with NRN ID card (up to 10 years).

Application Process:

1. Online application via portal (e.g., https://nrn.mofa.gov.np) with required documents. 2. Proof of Nepali origin via citizenship certificates of self, parents, or grandparents. 3. Submission to District Administration Office (DAO) in Nepal or Nepali Embassy/Consulate abroad. 4. Document verification, oath-taking if applicable, and certificate issuance.

Processing in Nepal typically takes 10-15 working days with complete documents. SAARC country citizenship holders are generally not eligible for NRN citizenship under this provision.

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