No general jus soli for children of foreign parents. Citizenship by descent arises under section 3 when a parent is a Nepali citizen. Section 4 birth-based citizenship was a closed transitional category for persons born in Nepal before 13 April 1990 and permanently domiciled, with a time-limited application window.
Nepali citizenship by descent through a Nepali parent
A person born when their father or mother is a citizen of Nepal is a citizen by descent (s. 3(1)). Exception: the child of a Nepali woman married to a foreign citizen falls under the naturalized route of s. 5(2) rather than automatic descent. Where the father is unidentified, descent through a Nepali mother is reported to be administered via self-declaration at the Chief District Officer under an amendment to the Citizenship Regulations; that procedure is not yet confirmed against the gazette.
A foreign woman married to a citizen of Nepal may apply for citizenship on production of the marriage document and evidence of having initiated renunciation of foreign citizenship (s. 5(1)); no residence period is stated. There is no equivalent automatic route for foreign husbands.
Naturalized citizenship for special contribution (not ordinary residence)
Section 5(4) is not an open residence naturalisation track: the Government of Nepal may grant naturalized citizenship only to foreign citizens who have "contributed specially" to science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace, human welfare or Nepali industry/commerce, and who meet the listed conditions including fifteen years residence, Nepali language ability, renunciation of other citizenship, good character, and home-country reciprocity (s. 5(4)(a)-(g)). Grant is discretionary.
Exchange normally requires residence in the destination and replaces the original licence. The official authority still decides validity, deadlines, classes, and any extra checks.