NRN Fixed Deposit Interest Rate in Nepal (Kartik 2083): Latest Bank Rates & Real Interest Growth
Updated 27 October 2026 (11 Kartik 2083) · Rates checked against each bank’s published rate sheet · Written for Nepalis living and working abroad
If you earn in dollars, pounds or Australian dollars and want your savings to work in Nepal, the NRN fixed deposit interest rate is the number most people check first. But the headline rate is only half the story. What really decides your NRN fixed deposit interest growth is the mix of three things: the foreign-currency rate the bank pays, the tax taken at source, and how far the Nepali rupee moves while your money is locked in.
This guide puts the latest Kartik 2083 NRN rates side by side, then runs the actual numbers on what USD 10,000 grows into over three years — in a dollar FD versus a rupee remittance FD — so you can see which one leaves you with more.
Quick answer
As of Kartik 2083 (October 2026), NRN fixed deposits in US dollars pay roughly 3.25% to 3.75% per year at major Nepali commercial banks. Global IME Bank lists 3.75% for USD (1 year and above), Nabil Bank 3.50% (minimum 1 year), and Nepal Bank 3.25%. GBP and AUD NRN deposits pay less at most banks (around 2.25% to 3.25%). Minimum deposits usually start at USD 1,000 or equivalent.
Key Takeaways
- Best published USD rate right now: about 3.75% p.a. (Global IME Bank, 1 year and above).
- NRN USD rates are now close to rupee remittance FD rates at large banks (3.76% to 4.30%), which was not true a few years ago.
- The rupee decides the winner. In our 3-year example, the dollar FD beats the rupee FD if the rupee weakens by just 1.4% in total — and it weakened about 29% between 2021 and 2026.
- Tax is deducted at source on the interest, and principal plus interest can be repatriated in the same currency under Nepal Rastra Bank rules.
- Rates change on the 1st of each Nepali month, so confirm with the bank before you transfer.
NRN Fixed Deposit Interest Rates by Bank (Kartik 2083)
The table below lists rates exactly as published on each bank’s own rate sheet. Where a bank offers a separate “NRN” product, that rate is shown. Where a bank only publishes a general foreign-currency (FCY) fixed deposit rate, it is marked so you know it is not an NRN-specific product.
| Bank | USD | GBP | AUD | Minimum & tenure | Effective from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global IME Bank (Global NRN FCY FD) | 3.75% | 4.00%* | Ask bank | USD 1,000 or equivalent; 1 year and above | Ashwin 1, 2083 |
| Nabil Bank (NRN Fixed Deposit) | 3.50% | 2.25% | 2.25% | USD 1,000 or equivalent; minimum 1 year | Kartik 1, 2083 |
| Nepal Bank Limited (NRN Fixed Deposit) | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | USD 1,000 / GBP 900 / AUD 1,600; 3 months to 5 years | Kartik 1, 2083 |
| Everest Bank (FCY FD, individual — not NRN-specific) | 3.25% | – | – | Ask bank (EUR FD 2.00%) | Kartik 1, 2083 |
| Nepal Investment Mega Bank (FCY FD, individual) | 2.75% | 1.75% (other FCY) | 1.75% (other FCY) | Ask bank | Shrawan 1, 2083 |
| Machhapuchchhre Bank (MBL NRN FD – FCY) | Rate on bank’s rate sheet; product in USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, JPY | USD/GBP/EUR 1,000, AUD 1,600, JPY 150,000; 1 to 5 years | Check branch | ||
| Agricultural Development Bank (NRN FCY FD) | Rate on bank’s rate sheet; interest paid quarterly | USD 5,000 or equivalent; 1 to 5 years | Check branch | ||
*Global IME’s GBP rate is from its Asadh 2083 rate sheet; its Ashwin 2083 sheet confirms the 3.75% USD rate. Prabhu Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Global IME also publish NRN FD products whose rates are set by each bank’s ALCO, so ask before transferring.
At a glance: published NRN / FCY USD fixed deposit rates
Dark bars = NRN-specific products. Light bars = general FCY fixed deposits. Scale: full bar = 4.00%.
For context on rupee deposits, see our full fixed deposit interest rate in Nepal comparison, which tracks NPR FD rates across all banks for Kartik 2083.
NRN FD vs FCY FD vs Rupee Remittance FD: Which Is Which?
Most competitor pages treat these as the same thing. They are not, and mixing them up is the most common reason people quote the wrong rate to their family.
| Feature | NRN Fixed Deposit | FCY Fixed Deposit | NPR Remittance FD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency held | USD, GBP, AUD, EUR, CAD, JPY and others | Mainly USD, some others | Nepali rupees |
| Who can open | Non-resident Nepalis (foreign citizens of Nepali origin, or Nepali citizens living abroad) | Individuals with a legitimate foreign-currency income source | Anyone whose deposit comes from abroad through formal channels |
| Typical rate (Kartik 2083) | USD 3.25% to 3.75% | USD 2.75% to 3.25% | 3.76% to 4.30% at large banks |
| Repatriation | Principal and interest in the same currency, under NRB rules | Depends on source of funds | Restricted; money generally stays in Nepal |
| Currency risk | None in your home currency | None in USD terms | Full rupee depreciation risk |
| Best for | Savings you may take back abroad | Dollar earners based in Nepal | Money you will spend in Nepal |
A useful detail many guides miss: banks such as Nepal Bank and Nabil pay a higher remittance FD rate only on money that actually arrives from abroad through legitimate channels. If you plan the rupee route, send the money through a bank or licensed remitter rather than hundi. Our send money to Nepal guide compares the cheapest legal options from every major country.
NRN Fixed Deposit Interest Growth: What USD 10,000 Becomes in 3 Years
This is the part no ranking page calculates. We took the same USD 10,000 and grew it two ways over three years, using rates published this month.
Option A: Keep it in dollars
NRN USD FD at 3.75% (Global IME rate). Interest paid each year, about 6% tax deducted at source (illustrative). Net interest ≈ USD 352.50 a year, so USD 11,057.50 after 3 years.
Option B: Convert to rupees today
USD 10,000 × 152 = NPR 15,20,000 in a remittance FD at 4.30% (Nepal Bank, above 2 to 5 years), same tax. Net interest ≈ NPR 61,438 a year, so NPR 17,04,315 after 3 years.
Option A’s final rupee value depends on the exchange rate in three years. Here is how the two compare under three rupee scenarios:
| Rupee scenario (3 years) | USD/NPR at maturity | Option A value (NPR) | Option B value (NPR) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupee stays flat | 152.00 | 16,80,740 | 17,04,315 | Rupee FD (by NPR 23,575) |
| Rupee weakens 2% a year | 161.30 | 17,83,615 | 17,04,315 | Dollar FD (by NPR 79,300) |
| Rupee weakens 4% a year | 170.98 | 18,90,604 | 17,04,315 | Dollar FD (by NPR 1,86,289) |
Final value after 3 years (NPR lakh)
The break-even rule
In this example, the dollar FD wins as soon as USD/NPR passes about 154.1 at maturity — only around 1.4% weaker than today over three full years. If you believe the rupee will hold almost perfectly steady, the rupee remittance FD edges ahead. If it keeps its long-run trend, the NRN dollar FD grows your wealth faster in rupee terms and keeps the option to take it back abroad.
Assumptions: simple annual interest paid out (not compounded), 6% withholding tax used for illustration, mid-market exchange rate of 152 used both ways. Real results will be slightly lower because banks buy and sell foreign currency at a spread. Check today’s figures in our USD to NPR remittance rate today tracker.
Why the rupee matters more than the interest rate
The Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee, so it moves with the Indian rupee against the dollar. Over the past decade that has meant steady weakening. The chart below uses annual and period averages from Nepal Rastra Bank-based datasets.
USD to NPR: average rate over time
From 118 in 2021 to about 152 today is roughly a 29% rise in five years — about 5% a year. Past movement does not guarantee future movement, but it explains why a 3.5% dollar rate can out-earn a 4.3% rupee rate.
Why NRN FD Rates Are Lower Than a Few Years Ago
In Kartik 2078 (late 2021), NIC Asia Bank’s rate sheet showed 5.00% on NRN USD fixed deposits of two years and above. Today the best large-bank NRN dollar rate is 3.75%. The fall has three causes:
- Excess liquidity: Nepali banks currently hold more deposits than they can lend, so they have little reason to pay high rates for new money.
- Lower policy and interbank rates: Nepal Rastra Bank’s policy rate sits at 5.75%, and interbank borrowing has fallen to around 2.75%.
- Global dollar rates eased: Banks price foreign-currency deposits partly off international benchmarks; Everest Bank, for example, links institutional USD deposits to SOFR.
What this means for you: if your bank offers a 2- or 3-year NRN tenure at today’s rate and you expect rates to fall further, locking in a longer term can protect your growth. If you expect rates to recover as lending picks up, a 1-year term keeps you flexible.
Eligibility and Documents for an NRN Fixed Deposit
Requirements differ slightly by bank, but most ask for:
- Proof of NRN status: foreign passport with an NRN card, or a Nepali passport with a valid foreign visa or work permit.
- Proof of foreign-currency income (payslip, employment letter or bank statement abroad).
- Citizenship or national ID (for Nepali citizens), photographs and signature.
- Nominee details with the nominee’s photo and signature.
- A linked NRN savings account — Prabhu Bank, for example, makes a savings account mandatory for anyone opening an NRN FD, and interest is usually credited there.
- PAN (recommended), which keeps your withholding tax at the lower rate.
How to Open an NRN Fixed Deposit from Abroad
1
Compare rates using the table above and the bank’s latest sheet.
2
Open an NRN savings account online with video KYC (Global IME and others offer this).
3
Wire foreign currency by bank transfer (SWIFT), not hundi.
4
Book the FD — choose currency, tenure and interest payout.
5
Keep the FD receipt and note the maturity date and renewal terms.
For the full account-opening walkthrough, including video KYC and which banks accept online applications, read how to open a bank account in Nepal from abroad. If you are sending from a specific country, these guides show the cheapest way to move the deposit: USA, UK, Australia and Canada.
Tax, Repatriation and Early Withdrawal Rules
Tax on NRN FD interest
Interest is taxed at source under Nepal’s Income Tax Act 2058, and the bank deducts it automatically before crediting your account. Published guidance on the exact rate varies (5% or 6% for individual deposit interest with a PAN is commonly quoted, and 15% applies without a PAN), so read the tax line on your FD receipt. Banks such as Machhapuchchhre state that tax is applied as per Nepalese law. You may also owe tax where you live, so check whether your country has a double-taxation agreement with Nepal.
Taking the money back abroad
This is the biggest advantage of an NRN deposit. Laxmi Sunrise Bank cites Nepal Rastra Bank forex circular 02/2076-77, under which matured funds can be sent back to your overseas account in the same currency without separate approval. Prabhu Bank notes that interest is repatriated to an account in the country the money was originally sent from — so keep that overseas account open.
Breaking the FD early
Expect a penalty. ADBL charges penal interest on withdrawal before maturity, and Laxmi Sunrise does not allow premature withdrawal at all during the first year. If you might need the money, pick a shorter tenure rather than relying on early withdrawal.
Which Option Fits You?
Choose an NRN dollar FD if…
- you may move back abroad or need the money in your home currency
- you expect the rupee to keep weakening
- you want guaranteed repatriation of principal
Choose a rupee remittance FD if…
- the money is for land, a house or family expenses in Nepal
- you want the higher headline rate (3.76% to 4.30% at large banks)
- you are comfortable with rupee risk
Many NRNs split the difference: an emergency or “return-home” fund in a dollar NRN FD, and money earmarked for Nepal in a rupee remittance FD. If you are open to market risk for long-term growth, our look at mutual fund growth in Nepal shows how SIPs have performed, and the Finance & NEPSE hub covers other options.
Mistakes We Saw While Comparing Rate Sheets
Going through every bank’s Kartik 2083 sheet for this guide, a few traps stood out:
- FCY rate is not the NRN rate. Nabil pays 2.75% on a regular USD FD above 12 months but 3.50% on its NRN USD FD. Ask for the NRN product by name.
- GBP and AUD earn much less at some banks. Nabil pays only 2.25% on NRN GBP and AUD, while Nepal Bank pays 3.25% on all three. If you earn in pounds or Australian dollars, the bank choice matters more than for dollars.
- Minimums vary widely. USD 1,000 at Nabil and Nepal Bank, but USD 5,000 at ADBL.
- Old pages still rank. Several bank product pages online still show 2021-era rates of 5% or more. Always check the “effective from” date.
- Exchange spread eats growth. Converting at a poor rate can cost more than the difference between banks. Our IME vs Western Union rates test shows how big that gap gets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRN fixed deposit interest rate in Nepal in 2026?
As of Kartik 2083 (October 2026), NRN USD fixed deposits pay about 3.25% to 3.75% a year at major commercial banks: Global IME 3.75%, Nabil 3.50% and Nepal Bank 3.25%. GBP and AUD rates range from about 2.25% to 3.25%.
Which bank gives the highest NRN FD interest rate?
Among the published Kartik 2083 rate sheets we checked, Global IME Bank’s Global NRN FCY fixed deposit leads at 3.75% for USD deposits of one year and above. Rates change monthly, so confirm before you transfer.
What is the minimum amount for an NRN fixed deposit?
Usually USD 1,000 or equivalent (Nabil, Nepal Bank, Global IME, Machhapuchchhre). Nepal Bank sets GBP 900 and AUD 1,600. ADBL requires USD 5,000.
Is a dollar NRN FD better than a rupee FD?
It depends on the rupee. In our 3-year example, a 3.75% USD FD beats a 4.30% rupee remittance FD if the rupee weakens by more than about 1.4% in total. Between 2021 and 2026 it weakened around 29%.
Can I take my NRN FD money back abroad?
Yes. Under Nepal Rastra Bank rules, principal and interest from an NRN foreign-currency deposit can be repatriated in the same currency after maturity, usually to an account in the country the funds came from.
Is NRN fixed deposit interest taxed in Nepal?
Yes. The bank deducts tax at source on the interest under the Income Tax Act 2058. Having a PAN linked to your account keeps the rate lower; without one, a higher rate applies.
Can I withdraw an NRN FD before maturity?
Usually only with a penalty, and some banks such as Laxmi Sunrise do not allow early withdrawal during the first year. Choose a tenure that matches when you need the money.
Sources
- Nabil Bank interest rates (Kartik 1, 2083)
- Nepal Bank deposit rates (Kartik 1, 2083)
- Global IME Bank NRN deposit products
- Everest Bank deposit rates (Kartik 1, 2083)
- ADBL NRN FCY fixed deposit
- Prabhu Bank NRN deposit terms
- Laxmi Sunrise Bank NRN term deposit
- Byajdar FD rate tracker (policy and interbank rates)
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. Interest rates, tax rates and NRB rules change frequently. Confirm current terms directly with your bank before depositing.