How do I open a bank account in Nepal?

बैंक खाता कसरी खोल्ने?

Open a bank account with your citizenship and National ID, in a branch or online. KYC documents, accounts for minors and the Ashwin 2083 National ID deadline.

Cost: Free to open; Some accounts need a minimum balance. Debit cards and SMS alerts have yearly fees.
How long: Same day; Online applications can take a day or two to verify.
Where: Any commercial, development or finance bank branch
Last checked: 8 Oct 2026; Awaiting official confirmation

What it is

Every bank in Nepal follows Nepal Rastra Bank's KYC (know your customer) rules, so the documents are much the same everywhere: your citizenship, a photo and, since Magh 2081, your National ID, which the bank checks against the government record.

If your account is older, check whether you've added your National ID. Nepal Rastra Bank gave customers with accounts opened before Magh 2080 until the end of Ashwin 2083 to declare it, usually a few taps in mobile banking.

Who needs it

Anyone opening a savings or current account, including a minor through a guardian.
Existing customers whose accounts were opened before Magh 2080 and haven't added their National ID.

What you need

Citizenship certificate
Or passport, driving licence or voter ID, depending on the bank.
Official
National ID number
Banks verify new customers against the National ID system. Children under 16 are exempt.
Official
Recent passport-size photo
Official
Proof of address
A utility bill or similar if your current address differs from your citizenship.
Official
For a minor, the birth certificate and the guardian's citizenship
Official

How it works

1
Choose a bank and account type
Compare interest rates and minimum balance. Many banks have zero-balance accounts for students, women or salaries.
2
Apply online or at a branch
Most commercial banks have online account opening. You fill in the KYC form, upload your documents and complete a video call or branch visit to verify.
3
Verify with your National ID
Since Magh 2081 banks must check customers against the National ID record before opening an account. Bring your National ID card or number.
4
Collect your cheque book and set up mobile banking
Ask for mobile banking at the same time. It's how you'll get a CRN for IPOs and link your account to connectIPS or a wallet.

Where to go

Any commercial, development or finance bank branch
Nepal Rastra Bank
Regulator. Takes complaints the bank doesn't resolve
nrb.org.np

Cost and time

Official fee: Free to open; Some accounts need a minimum balance. Debit cards and SMS alerts have yearly fees.
Processing time: Same day; Online applications can take a day or two to verify.

Common problems

I opened my account years ago. Do I need to add my National ID?

Yes, if it was opened before Magh 1, 2080. Nepal Rastra Bank set the end of Ashwin 2083 as the deadline to declare your National ID through mobile banking or other digital channels. Accounts that miss it can be marked unverified, which limits some services and large transactions.

I live abroad. Can I open an account?

Yes. Nepalis living abroad can open accounts online without the National ID at first, but must give their National ID details within 35 days of returning to Nepal.

I don't have a National ID yet.

Enrol for one first. Bank accounts, wallets and many government services now depend on it.

Can I open an account for my child?

Yes. A guardian opens a minor's account with the child's birth certificate and the guardian's own ID. Children under 16 are exempt from the National ID requirement.

Real experiences

Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.

Share your experience

Sources

Needs review

Written from the sources above and last checked on 8 Oct 2026. Some details aren't confirmed against an official page yet, so check fees and documents with the office before you go.

Spotted something out of date?

How do I open a bank account in Nepal?

01What it is

02Who needs it

03What you need

04How it works

05Where to go

06Cost and time

07Common problems

08Real experiences

09Sources