How to Transfer Balance from NTC to NTC (2026): USSD Code, App & Self-Care

By Wilson Shrestha · Last checked against Nepal Telecom’s official Balance Transfer page on 28 September 2026

I’ve used an NTC prepaid line as my main number for more than a decade, and balance transfer is still the fastest way to help someone who has run out of credit in the middle of a call or before a data pack renewal. The process is simple once you understand the code, but most people get stuck on one of three things: the security code, the Rs. 500 limit, or a vague “Connection problem or invalid MMI code” error.

This guide covers all three official methods, shows you how the USSD code is built piece by piece, and adds what most guides skip: which method to pick, how to send more than Rs. 500, what to do when a transfer fails, and how people lose their balance to security-code scams.

Which NTC Balance Transfer Method Should You Use?

Nepal Telecom officially supports three ways to send balance: the Nepal Telecom app, a USSD code, and Self-Care on its website. They all move the same balance with the same limits. The difference is what you need on hand.

Method 1: Transfer Balance from NTC to NTC Using the USSD Code

This is the classic method and the only one that works with zero internet. It takes three steps.

Step 1: Get your NTC security code

• Open your SMS app on the phone with the NTC SIM.
• Type SCODE and send it to 1415.
• You’ll get an SMS reply with your 8-digit security code. Save it somewhere private, not in a note anyone else can open.

The security code is tied to your SIM, not to one transfer, so you usually only need to request it once.

Step 2: Build the code (it’s easier than it looks)

The official format is *422*SecurityCode*DestinationNumber*Amount#. Every piece is separated by a star, and the whole thing ends with a hash:

• Type the amount as a plain number: 100, not “Rs. 100” or “100.00”.
• Type the receiver’s full 10-digit mobile number with no spaces or dashes.
• Don’t add a star before the final hash.

Step 3: Dial, then confirm it worked

• Press the call button. On a dual-SIM phone, make sure you’re dialling from the NTC SIM.
• Wait for the on-screen message and the confirmation SMS.
• Dial *400# to check your remaining balance, and ask the receiver to do the same.

For the balance check code and every other short code in one place, see my complete NTC USSD codes list.

Method 2: Transfer Balance with the Nepal Telecom App

If you have a smartphone and data (or Wi-Fi), the app is the easiest route because it confirms with an OTP instead of making you remember a code.

1. Install the official Nepal Telecom app from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Register or log in with your NTC mobile number.
3. Tap Transfer Balance on the home screen.
4. Enter the receiver’s NTC number and the amount (Rs. 10–500).
5. Confirm, then enter the OTP sent to your phone to complete the transfer.

Nepal Telecom’s own app FAQ says you can send balance from your prepaid mobile to any other NT mobile this way. If a newer version of the app ever asks for a security code, it’s the same SCODE you get from 1415.

Method 3: Transfer Balance Using Self-Care on the NTC Website

Handy if you’re at a computer and your phone is low on battery or storage.

1. Go to ntc.net.np and open Self Care.
2. Register once with your mobile number, or Login if you already have an account.
3. Open the Balance Transfer option in your dashboard.
4. Enter the receiver’s number and the amount, then confirm.

NTC Balance Transfer Limits and Eligibility

These rules come straight from Nepal Telecom’s Balance Transfer page and apply to all three methods:

How to send more than Rs. 500

There’s no single transfer above Rs. 500, but you can split a bigger amount into several transfers on the same day. For example, to send Rs. 1,250:

On paper, 20 transfers of Rs. 500 add up to Rs. 10,000 in one day, as long as you actually have that much balance. In practice, if someone needs a large amount, an online recharge through eSewa, Khalti, IME Pay or a bank app is quicker than twenty USSD sessions.

Can NTC postpaid users transfer balance?

No. Nepal Telecom limits balance transfer to prepaid GSM users. If you’re on postpaid and want to help someone, recharge their number online instead, or look at NTC’s gift pack options for data and voice.

Can you transfer balance from NTC to Ncell?

No. Each operator keeps its own balance, so NTC-to-Ncell and Ncell-to-NTC transfers aren’t possible. If you’re on Ncell, follow my separate guide on how to transfer balance in Ncell.

Balance Transfer Doesn’t Extend Validity: Know the Alternatives

This is the detail most people miss. A balance transfer adds money to the receiver’s account, but it doesn’t push their SIM’s validity date forward. If the receiver’s validity has expired, the transferred balance won’t fix that. Pick the right tool for the problem:

NTC Balance Transfer Not Working? Common Errors and Fixes

If none of these fixes work, call Nepal Telecom mobile customer care on 1498 from your NTC SIM. If SCODE requests keep failing, it’s also worth confirming that the SIM is registered in your name; here’s how to check the SIM owner name for NTC and Ncell.

Keep Your Security Code Safe: The Scam to Watch For

Your SCODE is the only thing standing between your balance and anyone who knows your number. The common trick goes like this:

• Nobody from Nepal Telecom will ask for your SCODE. Treat anyone who does as a scammer.
• Never dial a *422* code that someone else dictates to you.
• Don’t share your OTP from the app either; it approves the transfer just like the code does.
• If you think someone has your code, call 1498 and ask what they can do to secure your account.

Sent to the wrong number? A transfer to a valid NTC number goes through and there’s no self-service undo. Politely call or text the person who received it and ask them to send it back, and contact 1498 if they don’t respond. This is exactly why the Rs. 10 test transfer is worth it for new numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the code to transfer balance from NTC to NTC?

Dial *422*SecurityCode*RecipientNumber*Amount# from your NTC prepaid SIM. For example, *422*12345678*98XXXXXXXX*100# sends Rs. 100 to 98XXXXXXXX.

How do I get my NTC security code?

Send an SMS with the text SCODE to 1415. You’ll get an 8-digit security code by SMS. Keep it private.

Can I transfer NTC balance without a security code?

Yes. Use the Transfer Balance feature in the official Nepal Telecom app, which confirms with an OTP, or use Self-Care on ntc.net.np.

What is the minimum and maximum NTC balance transfer amount?

You can transfer from Rs. 10 up to Rs. 500 per transfer, with a maximum of 20 transfers per day.

How can I send more than Rs. 500 in NTC?

Split the amount into several transfers of Rs. 500 or less. For Rs. 1,250, send Rs. 500, Rs. 500 and Rs. 250. You can make up to 20 transfers a day.

Is there a charge for NTC balance transfer?

Nepal Telecom doesn’t list a service charge for balance transfer. Check your balance with *400# before and after if you want to confirm the exact amount deducted.

Can NTC postpaid users transfer balance?

No. Balance transfer is only available to NTC prepaid GSM users.

Can I transfer balance from NTC to Ncell?

No. Balance can only be transferred between NTC numbers, not to or from Ncell.

Does balance transfer increase SIM validity?

No. The receiver gets the balance, but their SIM validity date doesn’t change.

What if I transfer balance to the wrong NTC number?

The transfer can’t be reversed by yourself. Contact the person who received it and ask them to send it back, or call NTC customer care on 1498. Sending Rs. 10 first to a new number helps avoid this.

Source: Limits, methods and eligibility are taken from Nepal Telecom’s official Balance Transfer & Online TopUp page and its Mobile App FAQ. Nepal Telecom can change codes and limits without notice, so ntc.net.np is the final authority.