Banks

Commercial banks, branches and licensed remittance agents across Nepal, with addresses, hours and - where we have confirmed it - whether that branch opens accounts for foreign nationals.

That last detail is the reason this category exists. Practice varies by branch rather than by bank, so a refusal at one counter is not a refusal by the institution.

What to check before you go

• Whether that branch handles foreigner accounts. Larger city branches and those near universities or international organisations are the practised ones.
• What documents they want. Expect passport, visa, a photograph, and often a letter from your employer, school or landlord.
• Opening hours, which are shorter than you expect and shorter still on Fridays.
• Whether it is a bank or an agent. Remittance agents send money; they do not open accounts.
• That a remittance operator is licensed. Informal transfer is illegal and leaves you with no recourse.

Banking and finance covers how money actually moves in Nepal. Foreign residents should read banking and finance, which covers the rules on taking money out again - the part people discover too late.

Hours, and a practical note

Bank hours in Nepal are shorter than most people expect, with counters often closing to new transactions well before the branch does, and a shorter day at the end of the week. Go in the morning.

For a remittance agent, bring photographic identification and the recipient's full details exactly as they appear on their own identification - a mismatched name is the commonest reason a transfer is held.

Get listed

Banks, branches and licensed remittance agents can be submitted through partner registration. If a branch's hours or foreigner-account policy have changed, tell us and we will reverify it.

What to expect from a Nepali account

Useful before you open one. Digital banking and mobile payment are widely used and work well, cards are accepted in cities and much less outside them, and transfers between Nepali banks are routine.

The part that surprises foreign residents is taking money out of the country, which is governed by central bank rules rather than by your bank's goodwill and needs documentation of the source. Plan for it before you need it rather than at the airport. Banking and finance covers the rules.