Dhiraj Kandel
Managing DirectorSchedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study
A migration certificate is an academic document that may be required when a student moves from one education board or university to another. Nepali students commonly collect it after completing +2, bachelor’s or another academic level, especially when their next institution requests the original during admission.
A migration certificate is not required for every foreign university or student visa application. The requirement depends on your awarding body, new university, academic program and destination. You should therefore check the receiving institution’s document list before applying or submitting the original certificate.
This guide explains migration certificate requirements in Nepal, including who needs one, the documents required, application process, fees and what to do if the certificate is lost or incorrect. You can also use this study abroad document checklist to organise your academic, identity, financial and visa documents.
A migration certificate is issued by an education board or university to confirm that a student can move from that academic authority to another board, institution or university. It normally includes the student’s name, registration or examination details, completed academic level and issuing authority.
The document mainly supports registration under a new academic system. It does not provide a complete record of subjects, marks or grades. A migration certificate does not replace a transcript, provisional certificate, degree or character certificate. Each document has a separate purpose during admission and academic verification.
A migration certificate for Nepali students may be needed when moving from NEB to a university, changing from one university to another or enrolling at an overseas institution that specifically asks for it.
Students may need the certificate when:
Some universities request only a scanned copy during the application stage and ask for the original after admission. Kathmandu University’s 2026 undergraduate admission notice, for example, includes the original migration certificate among the documents required during verification and admission.
Check when the original must be submitted and whether the university will retain or return it.
These documents are all related to education, but they do not serve the same purpose.
| Document | Usually issued by | Main purpose |
| Migration certificate | Education board or university | Confirms movement from one academic authority to another |
| Transcript | Board, university or examination office | Shows subjects, grades, credits and academic results |
| Character certificate | School, college or campus | Confirms attendance, conduct and discipline |
| Transfer certificate | School or college | Confirms that the student has left that institution |
A transfer certificate normally concerns leaving a specific school or college, while a migration certificate relates to changing the board or university system. Some institutions combine transfer and character information in one certificate but treat the migration certificate as a separate document.
Students who have not yet collected their results can review the process for obtaining academic transcripts in Nepal.
Migration certificate requirements in Nepal differ between NEB, Tribhuvan University and other universities. The documents commonly requested include:
The National Examination Board may ask for a copy of the admit card or grade sheet, while Tribhuvan University requires the original registration card and a migration form with the campus stamp and campus chief’s signature, or a separate campus recommendation. Confirm the current checklist before visiting, as requirements differ between awarding bodies.
The exact counter, application form and payment method depend on the issuing authority. However, the migration certificate process generally follows these steps.
Apply through the education board or university under which you completed or registered for the relevant academic level.
Students completing Grade 12 under NEB normally apply through the National Examination Board. Students leaving Tribhuvan University generally apply through the university’s examination system. Your teaching college may help with a recommendation, stamp or verification, but it may not be the final issuing authority.
Read the receiving university’s admission checklist or contact its admissions office. Confirm:
Do not surrender your original certificate without understanding the institution’s document policy.
Collect the registration card, transcript or grade sheet, admit card, identification and college recommendation requested by the issuer.
Check that your:
Where your address or identity details differ, review the requirements for an address verification document before the mismatch affects later applications.
Obtain the official migration form from the board, university or examination office. Enter information from your original academic records rather than relying on memory.
TU applicants must have the form stamped and signed by the campus chief or submit a campus recommendation. Other universities may require similar confirmation or clearance from the college.
Pay through the counter, bank voucher or an electronic method approved by the issuing authority. Keep the receipt until you receive and check the certificate.
Avoid paying an unofficial person who promises guaranteed or unusually fast processing.
Submit the form, supporting documents and payment proof to the relevant section. Ask for a collection date, receipt or application reference.
When collecting the certificate, check the student’s name, registration number, academic level and issuing details. Report an error before submitting the document to a university.
Migration certificate fees depend on the awarding body and may be revised.
| Issuing authority | Published fee information |
| National Examination Board | Minimum NPR 1,000 for listed certificate services |
| Tribhuvan University | NPR 1,000 with the original registration card |
| Tribhuvan University | NPR 1,200 without the original registration card |
| Other universities | Confirm with the examination or records office |
The NEB citizen charter lists a minimum NPR 1,000 charge for certificate services covering transcripts, provisional certificates, migration certificates and supplementary certificates. TU currently lists NPR 1,000 with the original registration card and NPR 1,200 without it.
Payment may be processed immediately, but actual certificate preparation can vary depending on the office, verification and availability of older records. A migration certificate normally does not contain a standard expiry date. However, the original may be retained during university registration, and the institution may have separate requirements for certified copies or reissued documents.
A migration certificate for university admission may be requested to complete registration and show that the student is moving from a previous board or university. The institution may accept a digital copy during application but request the original after the admission decision.
Before submitting it, make sure the certificate:
A migration certificate is not a standard student visa document for every country. Visa authorities follow their own document lists, while universities may have separate academic admission requirements. Submit the certificate only when it is requested or relevant to your application.
A migration certificate is also different from Nepal’s foreign-study permission. Students should separately review the NOC application process before arranging tuition payments or foreign exchange. The official NOC application portal provides the current government application system.
If your migration certificate is lost or damaged, contact the board or university that issued it. Ask whether the authority provides a duplicate, reissued certificate or certified academic record.
You may be asked for:
If the certificate contains incorrect information, contact the issuer before using it. Correct the underlying academic record first when the same error also appears in your registration card or transcript. Never edit a scanned certificate, cover incorrect information or create a replacement using an online sample.
Small errors can delay admission or require another visit to the issuing office.
Before submitting your university or visa application, check that you have:
If the university requests an academic reference, also review the format of a recommendation letter for study abroad.
A migration certificate can be important when moving between education boards or universities, but it is not compulsory for every international application. Confirm the requirement, apply through the correct authority and inspect the certificate before submitting the original.
For support reviewing your academic documents and planning the university application process, contact an experienced study abroad counsellor and discuss your study plans.
No, it is required only when the university, education board or another authority specifically asks for it.
The education board or university connected to your academic level normally issues it, such as NEB or Tribhuvan University.
No, a transfer certificate confirms that you have left a school or college, while a migration certificate supports movement between academic boards or universities.
Many universities allow an initial application without it but may request the original during final admission or registration.
The fee depends on the issuer. NEB lists a minimum NPR 1,000 certificate-service fee, while TU lists NPR 1,000 or NPR 1,200 depending on the registration card.
Processing time varies according to the issuing office, verification and availability of your academic record. Confirm the collection date when applying.
It normally has no standard expiry date, but the receiving university may have rules about originals, certified copies and verification.
It is not a standard requirement for every student visa. Submit it only when the university or visa authority requests it.
Contact the issuing board or university and request an official correction before submitting it.
The issuing authority may provide a duplicate, reissued certificate or certified record after verifying your identity and academic details.
From choosing the right country to finding scholarships and housing — our counselors will guide you at every step.
Choose the right country based on your goals
Find courses that match your career plan
Get guidance on colleges and universities
Plan your finances, scholarships & part-time jobs
Plan your abroad stay & post-study plan
Schedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study
Schedule a free consultation with our expert counselors to discuss your study