How to Activate an NTC eSIM in Nepal (2026): Price, Online Process and QR Setup
Quick answer
You can activate an NTC eSIM without leaving home. Go to esim.ntc.net.np or open the Nepal Telecom app, choose Physical SIM to eSIM if you already have an NTC number, or Get New Prepaid eSIM if you want a fresh number. Verify with an OTP, upload your citizenship photo, wait for approval, then download the QR code and scan it in your phone's settings.
NTC eSIM price in Nepal
Nepal Telecom charges a small one-time fee. There is no separate monthly cost for using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM — your existing packs, balance and number stay exactly the same.
| What you want | Cost | How it's paid |
|---|---|---|
| Convert an existing NTC prepaid or postpaid SIM to eSIM | Rs 50 | Deducted from your mobile balance during the online process |
| Brand-new NTC prepaid eSIM (new number) | Rs 90 | Digital wallet or QR payment on the eSIM portal; comes with Rs 10 balance plus the usual new-SIM free resources |
| Re-downloading your QR after a phone change | Free if you kept the QR; otherwise treated as a replacement at an NTC office | At the counter |
Some Nepali tech sites report new eSIM connections at Rs 140 — that is the Rs 90 SIM price plus a Rs 50 eSIM profile charge. Nepal Telecom's own portal shows the standard SIM price for new prepaid eSIMs. Check the amount on the payment screen before you confirm, since it is the only figure that is guaranteed to be current.
What you need before you start
- An eSIM-compatible phone. Check with
*#06#— see the next section. - Your citizenship certificate — the original, in hand. You will be asked to photograph it live; uploading an old photo from your gallery is rejected.
- A clear image of the citizenship, front and back, under 300 KB. Prepare this before you start so the form does not time out.
- At least Rs 50 balance on the number you are converting, since the fee is deducted from it.
- KYC details that match. Your citizenship number and issued district must match what NTC has on record. If they do not, the online check fails and you will need to visit an office.
- Wi-Fi or another internet connection. Your physical SIM stops working the moment the eSIM activates, so do not rely on that SIM's data to finish the last step.
An eSIM profile can usually only be installed once. Download the QR image, email it to yourself, and keep a copy somewhere off the phone. If you factory-reset or change devices without it, you will have to go to an NTC office for a re-issue.
Is your phone eSIM compatible?
The fastest check takes ten seconds. With a working SIM in the phone, open the dialler and enter *#06#. If the screen shows an EID number alongside the IMEI, your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID means no eSIM support, and no NTC counter can change that.
Phones sold in Nepal that support eSIM include:
- Apple: iPhone 11 series and everything newer, up to the iPhone 17 series.
- Samsung: Galaxy S21 series onward, plus the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold families.
- Others: recent OnePlus flagships and a growing set of midrange phones such as the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ and Note 15 Pro+.
- Beyond phones: eSIM-capable smartwatches, tablets and laptops also work on the NTC network.
US iPhone 14 models and newer have no SIM tray at all. They work in Nepal on NTC eSIM, but the handset must be registered with the government's MDMS system before it will connect. Sort the MDMS registration out first, then apply for the eSIM.
How to convert your existing NTC SIM to an eSIM online
This is the route most people want: same number, same packs, no office visit. It works for both prepaid and postpaid customers.
- Open the eSIM portalGo to esim.ntc.net.np in a browser, or open the Nepal Telecom app (sometimes listed as the NT or MyNTC app) and tap eSIM. Update the app first if you do not see the option.
- Choose "Physical SIM to eSIM"The portal also offers "Get New Prepaid eSIM" — that one is for a new number, covered below.
- Enter your 10-digit NTC numberThis must be the number you want converted.
- Verify with the OTPA six-digit code arrives by SMS. Enter it and continue.
- Enter your citizenship number and issued districtThe system checks these against NTC's KYC records. A "Verification Successful" message means you can proceed.
- Tap "Apply for eSIM" and fill in your detailsThen upload the front-and-back citizenship image you prepared, keeping it under 300 KB.
- Take the live photoThe camera opens on its own. Hold your original citizenship certificate up and take the picture as instructed. Gallery uploads are not accepted here.
- Submit and wait for approvalYou will see a "Request Pending" screen. NTC reviews the documents; approval commonly comes through within minutes, though it can take longer at busy times.
- Download the QR code and install itOnce approved, the Activate option appears. Download the QR, then follow the installation steps further down this guide. Your physical SIM stops working at this point.
How to get a brand-new NTC prepaid eSIM online
Since May 2026, you no longer need to visit a counter to buy a new NTC number either. The portal sells new prepaid eSIMs directly, and you get to pick your number from what is available.
- Go to the portal and choose "Get New Prepaid eSIM"At esim.ntc.net.np.
- Register an account with your emailConfirm it with the OTP that is sent to you.
- Pick your numberThe portal shows the prepaid numbers currently available. Choose the one you want.
- Complete the SIM registration formThis is the same KYC information you would fill in at a counter, including your citizenship details and a document photo.
- Pay digitallyWallets and QR payment are accepted.
- Scan the QR code you receiveInstall the profile through your phone's settings and the new number is live.
How to get an NTC eSIM at an NTC office
If the online verification fails — mismatched KYC is the usual reason — the counter route still works and is often faster to resolve.
- Go to any NTC office or customer service centreeSIM is available nationwide, not just in Kathmandu.
- Bring the original citizenship certificate and a photocopy of both sidesBring the phone you want the eSIM installed on, too.
- Fill in the eSIM upgrade or new-connection formThe registered owner of the number must be present in person. Staff cannot upgrade a SIM registered in someone else's name.
- Staff activate the profileThis usually takes three to five minutes at the counter.
- Keep the printed slipIt carries your QR code, ICCID and activation code. You will need it if you ever change or reset your phone.
Prepaid vs postpaid: what changes
Very little. NTC offers eSIM on both, the conversion fee is the same, and the online process is identical. Postpaid customers keep their billing cycle and plan untouched — the number is simply delivered as a profile instead of a plastic card. The one practical difference is that prepaid users need Rs 50 sitting in their balance for the online fee, while a new-number purchase through the portal is currently prepaid only.
How to install the NTC eSIM QR code
Connect to Wi-Fi before you begin, and keep the QR code open on a second screen — a laptop, another phone, or a printout. You cannot scan a QR that is displayed on the same phone you are installing it to.
On iPhone
- Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service).
- Tap Add eSIM or Add Data Plan.
- Scan the QR code from NTC.
- Confirm and label the plan — "NTC" makes the dual-SIM screens easier to read.
- Choose whether NTC is your default line for calls and for mobile data, then tap Done.
On Android
- Open Settings → Network & Internet (Samsung: Connections).
- Go to SIM Card Manager or Mobile Network, then tap Add eSIM or Add Mobile Plan.
- Choose Scan carrier QR code and scan the code.
- Tap OK when prompted to turn on the new plan.
When the profile registers, you will get an SMS from NTC confirming the eSIM is active. Finish by turning on VoLTE: dial *444*2#, enable VoLTE in your phone's network settings, and restart the device. Without this step, calls on some handsets will not connect properly on 4G.
Common problems and how to fix them
- Citizenship verification fails on the portal
- Your KYC record at NTC does not match what you entered — a common issue on numbers registered years ago, or where the issued district was recorded differently. There is no online fix. Take your original citizenship to an NTC office and have the record updated.
- The document upload keeps getting rejected
- The image must be under 300 KB and must clearly show both sides. Compress the photo rather than cropping detail away. For the live photo step, use good daylight and hold the certificate flat and steady.
- The QR code will not scan
- Display it on a different screen at full brightness — you cannot scan a code shown on the same phone. If it still fails, most phones offer "Enter details manually," where you can type the activation code from your NTC slip instead.
- The QR was already used
- Each profile is single-use. If you reset your phone or moved devices, the profile is gone and needs re-issuing at an NTC office. This is the single most common eSIM regret in Nepal, and the reason to back up that QR immediately.
- eSIM installed but there is no network
- Check that the eSIM line is switched on in your SIM manager, that mobile data is assigned to it, and that data roaming settings have not carried over from an old profile. Toggle airplane mode on and off, then restart. If the bars still do not appear after ten minutes, call NTC on 1498.
- Calls fail or drop after switching
- VoLTE is usually the culprit. Dial
*444*2#, turn VoLTE on in settings, and restart the phone. - You want to go back to a physical SIM
- That is possible, but it cannot be done online. Visit an NTC office with your citizenship and request the reversal.
Nepal Telecom's customer care number is 1498 from an NTC line, and any NTC customer service centre can look up the status of a pending eSIM request. Current service details are published on the Nepal Telecom official website.
Frequently asked questions
Does NTC eSIM cost anything extra every month?
No. The only charge is the one-time fee — Rs 50 to convert an existing number, or the standard SIM price for a new one. Your packs and tariffs stay the same.
Do I keep my number when I convert?
Yes. Converting a physical SIM to eSIM keeps the same number, balance and active packs. Only the physical card is retired.
How long does NTC eSIM activation take?
Activation itself takes about ten minutes once your request is approved. At a counter, staff usually complete the whole thing in three to five minutes.
Can I use an NTC eSIM in India?
Yes, once you have activated international roaming on the number. The eSIM behaves the same as a physical SIM abroad.
Can someone else convert my SIM for me?
No. The registered owner must be present at the counter, and the online route verifies your citizenship details against the number's KYC record.
Do eSIM-only iPhones from the US work in Nepal?
Yes. Since both NTC and Ncell support eSIM, US iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 17 models work here. The handset does need to be MDMS-registered.
Can I have NTC eSIM and another SIM at the same time?
Yes, if your phone supports it. Most eSIM phones let you run one physical SIM and one eSIM together, and many newer models support two eSIM profiles.
What happens to my eSIM if I lose my phone?
The profile is tied to the device. Report the loss to NTC, and get the eSIM re-issued at an office for your replacement handset.