How to Open a Bank Account in Nepal from Abroad (2026): NRN, Remit & Online Video KYC Guide

Updated: 20 October 2026 · By Wilson Shrestha, Kathmandu · Reading time: about 12 minutes

Key takeaways

• There are four realistic account types for people abroad: a regular NPR savings account opened online, a remittance (remit) savings account, an NRN foreign currency (FCY) account, and a foreign currency account for Nepalis who earn in foreign currency.
• Banks with documented online opening for customers abroad include Global IME, Nabil, NIC Asia, Machhapuchchhre, Kumari, Nepal Bank and NMB.
• Remittance accounts carry an extra interest premium under an NRB circular, and they can unlock the IPO quota reserved for foreign workers.
• Some accounts opened non-face-to-face stay debit-restricted until you are verified, so ask before you send large amounts.
• NRN FCY money can only come in and go out through the banking channel, and repatriation usually has to go back to the same country, currency and account name.

Who can open a bank account in Nepal from abroad?

The answer depends on two things: your citizenship and your link to Nepal. Most guides skip this, which is why people end up applying for the wrong product. Find yourself in the table below first.

The NRN definition matters here. Under Nepal’s Non-Resident Nepali Act, an NRN is either a Nepali citizen who has lived abroad for at least two years for work, business or a profession, or a foreign citizen of Nepali origin from a non-SAARC country. If you need the card, our NRN card Nepal guide covers fees, documents and the online application.

Which account should you open? The 4 options compared

Competitor articles usually push one bank’s product. In practice you are choosing between four account families with very different rules. Use this quick decision path first.

1. Regular savings account opened online

This is a normal rupee account that you apply for on the bank’s portal. Global IME Bank, for example, says on its own blog that it accepts applicants from any country under its current policy, and allows zero-balance opening for most account types except a few, including its NRN and Remit savings accounts.

2. Remittance (remit) savings account

Built for people in foreign employment and their families. An NRB circular (02/078/79) requires banks to pay an additional 1 percentage point of interest on remittance savings and fixed deposits, and many banks advertise this on their remit products. Some go further: Siddhartha Bank markets its Premium Remit account as paying a premium over its highest savings rate, though its own web pages have shown both 1% and 2%, so confirm the current figure before you choose.

3. NRN foreign currency (FCY) account

Your money stays in dollars, pounds or other convertible currencies. The trade-off is a higher minimum balance and stricter rules on how money enters and leaves. Nabil Bank lets NRNs abroad open NRN savings and fixed deposit accounts in convertible foreign currency through video KYC.

4. Foreign currency account for Nepalis earning abroad

Some banks, such as Machhapuchchhre Bank, list Nepali nationals residing, working and earning abroad as eligible for a general FCY savings account even without NRN status. Rules here change through NRB circulars, so treat it as bank-by-bank.

Documents you need (checklist by account type)

Have clear scans or phone photos ready before you start. Blurry uploads are the most common reason an application gets sent back.

For the IPO quota reserved for foreign workers, Global IME Bank lists your Shram Swikriti plus at least NPR 50,000 of remittance received into the account in the last six months. If your permit has lapsed, our Shram Swikriti renewal online guide walks through the FEIMS process. Some banks or employers may also ask for a police report; see our police clearance certificate online Nepal guide if you need one from abroad.

How to open a bank account in Nepal from abroad: step by step

The flow is almost identical across banks. Here is the whole journey at a glance, followed by the detail for each step.

Step 1: Choose the bank and the account scheme

Use the decision path above. Check three things on the bank’s product page: the minimum balance, whether it accepts an international mobile number, and whether online-opened accounts are fully transactional or debit-restricted until verification.

Step 2: Fill the online application

Go to the bank’s official portal only. Type the bank’s address yourself rather than clicking links from social media ads. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your citizenship and passport; a one-letter mismatch can stall KYC.

Step 3: Upload documents and a signature

Photograph documents flat, in daylight, with all four corners visible. Sign on plain white paper with a black or blue pen and keep that paper; you will likely be asked to sign again on camera.

Step 4: Complete the video KYC call

A bank officer checks your face against your documents. NIC Asia’s video KYC page says the service runs 16 hours a day, from 6 AM to 10 PM Nepal time, and that you start by filling the online form and then opening a link sent to your email. Global IME lets you schedule the call with a representative, or verify at a branch if you prefer.

Video KYC window (6 AM to 10 PM Nepal time) in your time zone

Nepal is UTC+5:45 all year. The window above uses NIC Asia’s published hours; other banks may only take calls during banking hours, so check before booking. Clocks in the UK, US and Australia shift with daylight saving.

Step 5: Receive the account number and activate services

Once approved, the bank emails or texts your account number. Register for mobile banking straight away, and ask whether the account is fully active. Garima Bikas Bank, for example, states on its remittance product page that accounts opened online or through other non-face-to-face channels stay restricted for withdrawals until the holder verifies in person at the bank. Other banks such as Global IME say accounts opened through video KYC can be used for transactions.

Step 6: Fund the account through a legal channel

Send your first deposit through a bank transfer or licensed remittance company, never through hundi. Our send money to Nepal guide compares apps, banks and wallets by country, and if you are in Britain the UK to Nepal money transfer guide shows what GBP 1,000 really lands as in rupees.

Banks that let you open an account from abroad (2026)

This table is based on each bank’s own product pages and official announcements we checked in October 2026. Banks change schemes often, so treat it as a shortlist, not a final quote.

NRN FCY savings: published minimum balance (USD)

*Nepal Bank’s online product page shows USD 500, while its main site lists USD 1,000 (or GBP 900 / AUD 1,600). Nabil’s figure is for its NRN fixed deposit. Minimums are set by each bank and can change.

The National ID rule for Nepalis abroad (and the 35-day deadline)

This is the biggest content gap in older guides, many of which still say you must visit a branch. The rule has changed three times since 2024.

Need your NID number? See our guides to checking your NID status and downloading the eNID PDF. The same NID and 35-day rule now applies to eSewa, Khalti and other digital wallets opened from abroad.

Sending money in and taking it out

For NPR and remit accounts

Money you send arrives in rupees at the bank’s exchange rate on the day. Using a formal channel keeps a record that matters later for the IPO quota, loans and proving your income. Once the account is live you can also link a Demat and Mero Share; our Demat account guide explains the online video KYC steps.

For NRN FCY accounts

• Deposits and withdrawals must go through the banking channel, such as SWIFT or remittance via a correspondent foreign bank.
• Repatriation is generally allowed only to the foreign account you registered when opening; Global IME, for example, requires the same country, currency and account name the money came from.
• You can ask the bank to settle part of the balance in rupees when you need to spend in Nepal.
• Interest can usually be paid in foreign currency or rupees. Interest is taxed under Nepal’s Income Tax Act, so ask the bank what rate is withheld on your account.

Remittance account perks most guides miss

What goes wrong (and how to fix it)

Bank brochures make this look like a five-minute job. Customer accounts tell a different story. One Nepali living in Australia publicly described a video KYC call being cancelled because they could not reproduce a signature from an account opened years earlier, and another bank telling them weeks later that a missing OTP was a phone fault. These are the problems to plan for.

Before-you-start checklist

• ✓ Documents scanned in colour, all corners visible
• ✓ Signature sample on white paper, pen ready
• ✓ Working phone number that receives SMS, plus an email you check
• ✓ Quiet room, good front lighting, stable Wi-Fi
• ✓ Call booked inside the bank’s Nepal-time hours
• ✓ Foreign bank details ready if you are opening an NRN FCY account

Can foreigners open a Nepali bank account from abroad?

Generally no. Foreign nationals without Nepali origin usually need a valid long-stay visa (work, study, dependent or similar) and have to open in person; tourist visas are commonly refused. An older NRB circular ties a foreigner’s account validity to their visa. If you are a foreigner of Nepali origin, apply for an NRN card first and use the NRN route above. Planning to drive while you are in Nepal sorting this out? Our international driving permit guide covers the reverse case for Nepalis heading abroad.

Related guides for Nepalis abroad

• Send money to Nepal: cheapest, fastest and safest ways
• UK to Nepal money transfer: real costs and rates
• NRN card Nepal: fees, documents and online apply
• Shram Swikriti renewal online
• Police clearance certificate online Nepal
• Nagarik App guide and neo banks in Nepal
• All finance and NEPSE guides

FAQs

Can I open a bank account in Nepal from abroad without visiting?

Yes, if you are a Nepali citizen or an NRN. Apply on the bank’s online portal and verify on a video KYC call. Some banks still restrict withdrawals until you verify in person, so confirm this first.

Do I need a National ID card to open an account from abroad?

No. NRB lets Nepalis abroad open accounts online with other required documents. You must update your NID details with the bank within 35 days of returning to Nepal.

What is the minimum balance for an NRN account?

Most banks we checked ask for about USD 1,000 (or equivalent) in an NRN foreign currency savings account; Nepal Bank’s pages show USD 500 or USD 1,000. Rupee NRN and regular online accounts can be much lower.

Which bank is best for opening an account from abroad?

It depends on your goal. Global IME and NIC Asia have well-documented video KYC flows, Nabil’s nBank app accepts international phone numbers, and Kumari and Machhapuchchhre publish clear NRN FCY terms. Compare remit interest rates if you are a foreign worker.

Can I open a USD account in Nepal as a Nepali working in the Gulf?

Some banks allow Nepali nationals earning abroad to open a general foreign currency account, and NRN card holders can open NRN FCY accounts. Most Gulf workers find a rupee remit savings account more useful because of the interest premium and IPO quota.

How long does online account opening take?

The form takes minutes. Approval depends on when you can book video KYC and how quickly the bank reviews documents; plan for a few working days in Nepal time.

Can I take money out of an NRN account back to my foreign bank?

Yes, through the banking channel. Repatriation usually has to go to the foreign account registered at opening, in the same currency and name the funds came from.

Can a foreigner open a Nepali bank account online?

Generally no. Foreigners without Nepali origin normally need a long-stay visa and a branch visit. Foreigners of Nepali origin should use the NRN route.

Final word

Opening a bank account in Nepal from abroad is now a realistic, mostly online job for Nepali citizens and NRNs. Pick the account family first (rupee savings, remit savings or NRN FCY), choose a bank whose video KYC hours and phone-number rules suit you, and keep your signature and documents consistent. Then remember the one deadline that matters: update your National ID within 35 days of your next trip home.

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Bank schemes, minimum balances and NRB rules change; confirm details with the bank and the Nepal Rastra Bank before you apply.