The term Nepali usually refers to the nationality, that is, to people with citizenship of Nepal, while the people without Nepalese citizenship but with roots in Nepal are strictly referred to as Nepali-language Speaking Foreigners (Nepali: नेपाली भाषी विदेशी) who are speakers of Nepali or any of the other 128 Nepali languages but are now foreign citizens or of foreign nationality bearing passports and citizenship of the foreign nation.

It is also not generally used to refer to non-citizen residents, dual citizens, and expatriates.

[22] Nepal is a multicultural and multi ethnic country.

[25] The Non-resident Nepali Act, 2064 of Nepal defines a non-resident Nepali as someone who is a foreign citizen of Nepali origin including a Nepali citizen residing abroad.

[22] Source article: Administrative divisions of Nepal