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Best Ways to Send Money to Nepal

Enjoy fast, low cost transfers, the best exchange rates, and strong customer support on money transfers to Nepal.

Read on for quick reviews, expert insights, and all you need to know about money transfers to Nepal.

Sarah Edwards
Author 
Sarah Edwards
Sharon Bahravi
Editor 
Sharon Bahravi
10 minutes
February 9th, 2024
Disclosure
Top Rated
9.2
Wise

Wise is the top rated money transfer provider that usually appears in our search results to Nepal.

Fastest Option
8.6
XE

XE tends to be the fastest way to send money to Nepal for many origin countries and send amounts.

Compare rates and fees for sending money to Nepal

There are multiple ways to easily send and receive money in Nepal but these will largely depend on the provider you decide to use.

How can I pay for my money transfer to Nepal?

MoneyTransfers.com brings together a wide range of transfer providers. And as you’ll see if you run a search, these providers offer multiple ways to pay:

  • Your bank account: Paying with your bank is usually the cheapest way, but it might be slightly slower than other payment methods

  • Your debit card: Debit cards are generally faster but are also more expensive due to currency conversion fees

  • A credit card: Credit cards are as fast as debit cards; however, most card issuers will charge both a currency conversion fee and a cash advance fee

  • A mobile wallet: This might be an option if both you and your recipient use the same digital wallet — just be aware that it’s usually pretty expensive

What is the best way to send money to Nepal?

If you’re looking for a balance of speed and affordability, using a money transfer provider and paying with your bank account is the best way to go. We recommend using XE if you’re paying by bank transfer.

If it’s more important to get your transfer there quickly than it is to save, you might prefer paying with a credit or debit card. Doing so will usually be faster than paying with your bank account. If you want to use a card, we suggest WorldRemit.

SWIFT transfers are also an option, but because they take a long time and are often expensive, it’s usually best to use a money transfer provider instead.

How long does it take to send money to Nepal?

The amount of time it takes to transfer money to Nepal hinges on a few factors, including:

  • The amount you send: Smaller transfers generally go through quickly, but if you send a more considerable amount, it may need to pass additional security checks, which can cause it to take longer

  • What time you send it: Timing matters if you’re paying by bank transfer. Most banks have a cutoff time when they stop processing transfers — if you send it after that, your transfer might not go through until the following business day

  • The provider you use: When you compare providers on MoneyTransfers.com, you’ll see that different providers have different transfer times

Here are a few examples of the time it would take various providers to send $1,000 from the USA to Nepal:

What is the fastest way to send money to Nepal?

Do your loved ones need money fast? If so, your best bet is to find a provider on MoneyTransfers.com and pay with a credit or debit card. Just be prepared to pay currency conversion fees (and a cash advance fee if you use your credit card).

WorldRemit is a great provider for paying with a credit or debit card, as your transfer will go through in just a few minutes.

How much does it cost to send money to Nepal?

MoneyTransfers.com makes it easy to find an affordable transfer provider quickly. Usually, the cost comprises one or more of the following fees.

Some providers charge a flat fee regardless of how much you send. Others charge a percentage of the total amount you’re transferring.

Additionally, most companies will charge a certain percentage above the mid-market rate, which is the point between the buy and sell prices of your country’s currency and the Nepalese rupee.

Here’s what our top three providers would charge you to send $1,000 from the USA to Nepal:

  • XE: $0 in fees, 0.90% exchange-rate markup (bank transfer)

  • WorldRemit: $37.99 in fees, 0.24% exchange-rate markup (debit/credit card)

  • Wise: $14.54 in fees, 0.04% exchange-rate markup (bank transfer); $58.37 in fees, 0.04% exchange-rate markup (credit card); $26.28 in fees, 0.04% exchange-rate markup (debit card)

If you’re in a hurry, MoneyTransfers.com makes it easy to tell which options are cheaper — you can just look to see how much money your recipient will get.

What is the cheapest way to send money to Nepal?

In almost every case, the cheapest way to send money to Nepal is to use a money transfer provider and pay with your bank account. XE is currently the cheapest option on MoneyTransfers.com. As outlined above, if you send $1,000 from the USA to Nepal, you’ll only see a 0.9% exchange-rate markup if you pay with your bank account.

What makes it more expensive to pay with a credit or debit card? These transfers are usually processed faster, so you pay a premium for speed. But card issuers often have their own fees as well.

If you use a debit card, your bank will probably charge a fee to convert your country’s currency to the Nepalese rupee; if you use a credit card, the company will usually charge a cash advance fee on top of that.

Bank wire transfers will almost always be more expensive than money transfer providers. Most banks in the USA charge an international wire transfer fee between $35 and $50. Those fees will be compounded as your money moves through the SWIFT network.

What do I need to send money to Nepal?

Sending money to Nepal with a provider on MoneyTransfers.com is fast and efficient. But to make the process as rapid as possible, make sure you have the following documents and information available before you start:

  • Your information: When you sign up for a provider, you’ll be asked to enter your name, address, and contact info; you’ll also need to upload a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or government-issued ID card

  • Your recipient’s information: You’ll also need your recipient’s name, address, and contact info, as well as their bank’s SWIFT code and their bank account number (Nepal doesn’t issue separate IBANs)

  • Your payment method: Most providers give you the option to pay with a bank account, credit card, debit card, or digital wallet, though not all companies offer the same payment methods

What do I need to receive money in Nepal?

If your recipient is going to pick up money instead of having it deposited into their bank account, they’ll need some additional info, including:

  • A photo ID, like their national identity card or passport

  • Your name, address, and the exact amount they’ll be receiving

  • A transaction reference number (if one is issued)

Do I pay tax on money transfers to Nepal?

In most cases, you won’t have to pay tax on a money transfer to Nepal. Possible exceptions are if the transfer exceeds your country’s gift reporting threshold or is for a large purchase (like real estate) or something other than a personal gift.

Nepali citizens usually won’t have to pay taxes on personal remittances. But to be safe, both you and your recipient should check your respective countries’ tax laws for up-to-date guidelines before sending money.

What reasons do people send money to Nepal?

Recent research shows that more than 2.19 million Nepali citizens live in other countries. Many of these expats periodically send money to support loved ones still in Nepal — in 2022 alone, Nepali citizens received $2.19 billion in personal remittances.

Why do Nepali expats send so much money home? There are several possible reasons:

  • To support friends and family with regular living expenses

  • To help pay tuition costs

  • To pay off medical debts

  • To make investments

Sending money to major banks in Nepal

As in any other country, not all banks in Nepal accept international money transfers. If you’re planning on sending money to Nepal, it will be easiest if your recipient has an account at one of the country’s major banks, which include:

  • Prabhu Bank

  • Nabil Bank

  • Siddhartha Bank

  • Standard Chartered Bank

  • Everest Bank

Some smaller banks might also accept international transfers, but make sure you ask before sending.

The USD to NPR exchange rate

Mid-market Rate
1
= 132.642402 NPR
Mid-market rate at: 13:49 UTC
USD/NPR Median: 132.553441 Low: 132.344073 High: 132.667922
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What apps can I use to send money to Nepal?

Most of the providers on MoneyTransfers.com have their own apps you can use to send money. However, if you want to use a standalone digital wallet, you can.

It’s important to note that PayPal isn’t available in Nepal, and only a few countries (including India) can send money to Nepal using Google Pay. You can’t use Apple Pay to send money to Nepal, either.

That said, there are a few digital wallets that operate in Nepal. They include e-Sewa, Khalti, Prabhu Pay, and iPay.

Useful links for Nepali citizens abroad

If you’re from Nepal but are currently living in another country, you might find these links helpful:

Sending different amounts of money to Nepal

Depending on the amount you're sending, you might find that different transfer providers work better:

Under $1,000

Most providers can send this amount very quickly and affordably.

$1,000 or more

For more substantial transfers, you might save more money using providers that charge a flat fee.

$10,000 or more

Specialty providers like TorFx are best for large amounts above $10,000.

$100,000 or more

Currency brokers (rather than money transfer providers) are the best way to go for large amounts.

Send Money to an From Nepal With These Guides

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FAQs

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Contributors

Sarah Edwards
Sarah is a proficient Content Writer who specialises in the financial sector. Her expertise lies in delivering clear, informative articles that help readers navigate the complex world of financial transactions and currency exchanges.