ConnectIPS in Nepal: What It Is and How to Use It
ConnectIPS is one of the most-used and least-understood payment apps in Nepal — mostly because people expect it to be a wallet, and it isn't. Here is what it actually is, and how to use it.
- ConnectIPS is not a wallet. It links your real bank account(s) and moves money directly between banks — there is no balance to load.
- It is run by Nepal Clearing House Ltd (NCHL), the same body behind the national inter-bank clearing system.
- Best for larger, low-cost transfers: paying another bank account, government/tax/revenue payments, loading wallets, and share (IPO/CDSC) payments.
- You register once, link a bank account, and verify it. For everyday QR at a shop, a wallet like eSewa or Khalti is often handier.
What is ConnectIPS?
ConnectIPS is a bank-to-bank payment system — a web portal and mobile app that lets you move money directly from your bank account to someone else's bank account, or to pay bills and services, without a middle "wallet balance". It is operated by Nepal Clearing House Ltd (NCHL), the organisation that runs Nepal's national inter-bank clearing and settlement, so it is essentially the official rails for moving money between banks online.
The single most important thing to understand: you do not "load" ConnectIPS. There is no stored balance. When you pay, the money leaves your bank account in real time. That is the opposite of a wallet like eSewa or Khalti, where you top up a balance first and spend from it.
ConnectIPS vs a digital wallet (eSewa, Khalti, IME Pay)
| ConnectIPS | Wallet (eSewa/Khalti/IME Pay) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Bank-to-bank payment system | Stored-balance mobile wallet |
| Do you load a balance? | No — pays from your bank directly | Yes — top up, then spend |
| Operator | Nepal Clearing House (NCHL) | Private PSPs |
| Best for | Larger transfers, gov/tax, IPO, loading wallets | Daily bills, topups, QR at shops |
| Number of banks linkable | Multiple bank accounts | Usually load from one bank |
Fees and limits change over time and vary by bank — confirm the current terms in the app or with your bank.
What can you do with ConnectIPS?
- Send money to any bank account in Nepal (fund transfer between banks).
- Pay government and revenue dues — taxes, and other government payments that accept it.
- Share market payments — settling IPO/secondary-market amounts and CDSC-related payments.
- Load digital wallets — top up eSewa, Khalti and others straight from your bank.
- Pay bills and merchants that accept ConnectIPS.
How to register and use ConnectIPS
- Sign up on the ConnectIPS app or web portal with your details and create your login.
- Link your bank account(s) — enter your account number and bank.
- Verify the linked account. Verification is done through your bank (some banks approve it in their own system / branch), so activation can take a short while.
- Once verified, make a payment: choose transfer or a biller, enter the amount, and authorise it with your ConnectIPS credentials. The money moves from your bank account immediately.
Because linking ties to your actual bank account, keep your login and transaction credentials private — anyone with them can move money from your account.
ConnectIPS fees and limits
ConnectIPS is popular precisely because fund transfers are typically low-cost — often a small flat charge, which makes it cheaper than many alternatives for larger transfers where a percentage-style cost would add up. Transaction limits apply and can vary by bank and by payment type. Exact charges and caps change over time and differ between banks, so check the current schedule in the app or ask your bank before a large transfer.
So when should you use ConnectIPS vs a wallet?
- Moving a large amount to another person's bank, or your own account at another bank? ConnectIPS — low flat cost, straight from the bank.
- Paying tax, government dues or an IPO? ConnectIPS.
- Buying tea, paying a utility bill, scanning a QR at a shop? A wallet (eSewa/Khalti) is usually quicker for small daily spends.
- Topping up a wallet from your bank? ConnectIPS is one of the cleanest ways to do it.
Frequently asked questions
What is ConnectIPS?
ConnectIPS is a bank-to-bank payment system in Nepal, run by Nepal Clearing House Ltd (NCHL). It lets you pay and transfer money directly from your bank account through an app or web portal. It is not a wallet — there is no stored balance to load; money moves straight from your bank.
Is ConnectIPS a digital wallet?
No. Unlike eSewa, Khalti or IME Pay, ConnectIPS does not hold a balance. You link your real bank account and pay directly from it. That makes it best for larger transfers, government and tax payments, IPO payments and loading wallets, rather than for small daily QR payments.
How do I register for ConnectIPS?
Sign up on the ConnectIPS app or web portal, create your login, then link your bank account by entering your account details. The linked account is verified through your bank, which can take a short while. Once verified, you can transfer money and pay bills directly from your bank account.
What are ConnectIPS fees?
ConnectIPS fund transfers are usually low-cost, often a small flat charge, which makes it economical for larger transfers. Fees and limits vary by bank and payment type and change over time, so check the current schedule in the app or with your bank before a big transfer.
ConnectIPS vs eSewa — which should I use?
Use ConnectIPS for larger bank-to-bank transfers, tax and government payments, IPO payments, and topping up wallets — it pays straight from your bank at low cost. Use eSewa (or Khalti/IME Pay) for everyday small payments, utility bills, topups and QR at shops. Many people use both.
Comparing all your payment options? See the full digital wallets in Nepal guide and the eSewa vs Khalti comparison. For money you want to grow rather than move, compare live savings and FD rates on Byajdar.