If you are a Nepali citizen living in Australia and applying for a visa, permanent residency, citizenship or certain jobs, you will usually be asked for a Nepal Police Clearance Certificate (also called a Police Report or Character Certificate). The good news is that you can now apply fully online through the Nepal Police Online Police Clearance Registration (OPCR) system, without asking family in Nepal to apply for you. This guide walks you through the documents, the steps and the common reasons applications are delayed.
Nepal Police Clearance at a glance
- Issued by: Nepal Police, Crime Investigation Department (CID)
- Official website: opcr.nepalpolice.gov.np
- Where to apply: online, from anywhere in the world
- Processing time: often a few working days, but it can take longer around Nepali public holidays or if documents are unclear
- Delivery: download the report from your OPCR account once it is issued
- Who can apply: Nepali citizens, and foreigners who have lived in Nepal
Documents you need (Nepali citizens living abroad)
- Scanned copy of your current, unexpired passport – including the photo/details page and the pages with the issuing authority and next-of-kin details (usually pages 2, 3 and 31 of a Nepali machine-readable passport)
- Copy of the page showing your most recent Nepal Immigration departure stamp
- Copy of your Nepali citizenship certificate (front and back)
- Marriage registration certificate, if you are married
- A recent passport-size colour photo
Scan every document in colour and make sure all text and stamps are clear. Blurry or cropped scans are the most common reason for delays.
Documents for foreigners who lived in Nepal
- Scanned copy of your unexpired passport
- Copies of your Nepal arrival and departure stamps
- Copy of your Nepal visa (if currently in Nepal)
- A recent passport-size colour photo
How to apply online: step by step
- Go to opcr.nepalpolice.gov.np and create an account using your email address. You will receive a temporary password by email.
- Log in and change your password.
- Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport and citizenship certificate.
- Enter your address details in Nepal (permanent and temporary) and your current address abroad.
- Upload your documents in the required format and size.
- Complete the self-declaration, review everything carefully, and submit.
- Track your application from your OPCR dashboard. If Nepal Police needs more information, it will contact you by email or show a message in your account.
- When the certificate is issued, download it and save several copies.
Using your Nepal police certificate in Australia
- Visa and citizenship applications: upload the certificate to your ImmiAccount application. The Department of Home Affairs generally asks for police certificates from every country where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since age 16. Certificates are usually expected to be no more than 12 months old when your application is decided, so check your visa’s requirements and timing.
- Translation: if any part of your certificate is not in English, get it translated by a NAATI-certified translator.
- Attestation: some employers or authorities may ask for the certificate to be verified by the Embassy of Nepal. Check with the organisation first, and contact the Embassy of Nepal in Canberra for current fees and processing.
- Name spelling: make sure your name matches your passport. If your name has changed, provide your marriage certificate or other evidence of the change.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using agents or unofficial websites that charge high fees for something you can do yourself on the official Nepal Police site.
- Missing the departure stamp page. Nepal Police uses it to confirm when you left Nepal.
- Different name spellings between your passport and citizenship certificate. Explain any differences and attach supporting documents.
- Applying too early. If your visa application may take months, a certificate obtained too early may expire before a decision. Many people apply when Home Affairs requests it.
- Using an expired passport. Apply with your current valid passport.
Frequently asked questions
Can my family in Nepal apply for me?
You no longer need to. Applicants living overseas can apply directly through the OPCR portal.
Do I need fingerprints?
The online OPCR document list does not include fingerprints for Nepali citizens. However, requirements can change, and some foreign authorities have their own rules, so follow any instructions shown in your OPCR account or given by the organisation asking for the certificate.
How long is the certificate valid?
Validity is decided by the organisation that asks for it. For Australian visa applications, a certificate is generally expected to be less than 12 months old at the time of decision.
I also lived in India. Do I need an Indian police certificate?
If you lived in India for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, you will usually need one for Australian visas. See our Indian Police Clearance Certificate guide.
Related guides
Information checked against the Nepal Police CID and OPCR websites in September 2026. Requirements can change, so always confirm on the official website before applying.
