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Nepal (NP)

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan nation between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849m).

Capital: Kathmandu
Region: Asia
Language: Nepali
Currency: NPR (Rs)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 18)
Emergency: 100

Digital Services

Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Nepal.

National ID / Nagarik App ecosystem

Nepal's digital identity system is primarily for citizens. The Nagarik app gives Nepali citizens access to government certificates and services. Foreign residents rely on passport, visa, PAN (Permanent Account Number) and bank KYC for all services.

How to get it: Foreigners cannot access citizen-only features. Register for a PAN at the Inland Revenue Department (ird.gov.np) — required for employment, business and tax filing in Nepal.

Unlocks these services
Citizen identity and civil document access (Nepali nationals only)Tax and business portals via PAN credentialsImmigration portal for visa extension and permit applications

E-Government Portal

https://nepal.gov.np

Government portals can be slow, intermittently down and often Nepali-language only. Many transactions still require physical follow-up at Kathmandu offices. Keep paper copies of all submissions.

Available services
Immigration online formsIRD taxpayer portal for PAN and returnsCompany registrationSSF employer and contributor servicesDriving licence applicationsPolice clearance for eligible users

Essential Apps

ExpatCheapRent

Free
Housing

Expat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.

Hamrobazar

Free
Housing

Nepal's most active classifieds platform — widely used for house and apartment rentals in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara and other cities.

Pathao

Free
Transport

Dominant ride-hailing app for bikes and cars in Kathmandu; also offers food delivery and courier service.

inDrive

Free
Transport

Negotiated-fare ride-hailing widely used alongside Pathao in Kathmandu and growing in other cities.

eSewa

Free
Banking

Nepal's most widely used digital wallet for QR payments, utility bills and online merchants — foreign access usually requires local bank-linked KYC.

Khalti

Free
Banking

Digital wallet for bill payments, flight/bus ticketing and QR-based merchant payments at shops and restaurants.

ConnectIPS

Free
Banking

Nepal Clearing House interbank transfer and payment system, linked to most Nepali commercial bank accounts.

Foodmandu

Free
Food

Food delivery platform covering Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar and other cities with a broad restaurant selection.

Daraz

Free
Marketplace

Nepal's leading e-commerce marketplace for electronics, clothing, household goods and grocery delivery.

IQAir / AirVisual

Free
Health

Real-time air quality monitoring — critical in Kathmandu Valley where winter and spring pollution regularly reaches dangerous levels, affecting daily outdoor plans.

IRD Nepal Taxpayer Portal

Free
Tax

Inland Revenue Department online services at ird.gov.np for PAN registration, income tax filing and employer withholding tax for foreign workers and businesses.

WhatsApp

Free
Communication

Default messenger for landlords, colleagues, schools, NGO networks and community groups in Nepal.

Google Maps

Free
Navigation

Well-mapped for Kathmandu Valley roads and addresses; download offline maps for trekking routes and areas outside mobile coverage.

Keep a local SIM active for OTPs. Many digital wallets, delivery platforms and banking services require a Nepali phone number and local bank-linked KYC — foreign residents may need a branch visit to unlock digital access.