Extremely difficult, if not mission impossible. One of my french friends who regularly comes to Nepal tried to get one, and finally gave up after almost two years of trying. In their official website, Immigration Authorities make it sound as if the procedure is very simple, just file online...they say...!.In reality, however, things are not what they are portrayed to be. Even if you meet all those immigration pre-requisites that they list about minimum US dollar income, being a highly respectable well known person with top references and all that etc., the fact is that Immigration cannot issue a residential visa without official Home Ministry's stamp of approval. What they don't advertise either, is:
- the fact that this visa is never issued for, say, a straight 10 ten period or anything long term, but rather RENEWABLE each and every year, without exception.
- this means that, successively, and therefore at the end of each 12 months period, one has to go back to Immigration Office, ask for a renewal for another year, which requires another filing and having to go through all those administrative steps all over again, and paying a yearly fee which if my memory serves me right is in the order of $1200 each year (more expensive than a five year business visa)
- you'll probably need a lawyer to help you, so he can verify that this fee is still at that level. As lawyers in Nepal are never free, factor in those charges too.
- finally, be prepared to pay grease money to officials at Immigration too, if you don't want to spend days on end in line in those offices. Not always that easy to get to see the Director General in charge.
P.S. Depending on what lawyer you chose, I've known for lawyers to be in cahoots with Immigration officials. Be on your guard. Good luck to you.