How to Send Money to Nepal From the UK
From London to Aldershot, Nepalis in the UK send more per person than almost any other diaspora. Here is which app gives the most rupees per pound, and how to avoid the two mistakes that cost the most.
- From the UK, apps win: Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Instarem and TransferGo all beat high-street banks and most counters on GBP→NPR.
- Fund by Faster Payments bank transfer, not card — it is cheaper and just as quick.
- Compare the NPR received for your amount; “zero fee” offers usually hide a weaker rate.
- For the Gurkha community and pensioners: bank deposit to a Nepali account is safest and earns interest immediately.
Your options from the UK
The UK–Nepal corridor is well served. Your realistic choices:
- Remittance apps — Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Instarem, TransferGo, Taptap Send and Ria all send GBP→NPR from a UK bank account, usually landing the same day.
- Western Union, MoneyGram and Small World — wide cash-pickup networks in Nepal and physical counters in the UK, at a typically weaker rate.
- High-street bank international transfer — £10–25 in fees plus a poor rate; avoid for regular sends.
Live GBP to NPR quotes today
| Provider | GBP→NPR rate | Fee | Family receives on £ 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instarem Most NPR | रू 203.81 | £ 0.00 | रू 203,812 |
| Western Union | रू 202.71 | £ 0.50 | रू 202,607 |
| Wise | रू 205.08 | £ 12.14 | रू 202,591 |
| Skrill | रू 200.98 | £ 0.00 | रू 200,982 |
Live quotes for a £ 1,000 bank-to-bank transfer, collected 2026-09-21 via price comparison. Promotional first-transfer rates excluded. Availability and pricing change daily — the live corridor tool re-quotes every morning.
Bank transfer vs card
Paying by Faster Payments from your UK bank account is free at the app end and settles within minutes; debit cards add a percentage fee at most apps and credit cards can be treated as cash advances. Always choose bank transfer for a regular monthly send.
How fast does it arrive?
Bank deposit to a Nepali account is usually same day and often within minutes during Nepal banking hours; wallet delivery to eSewa or Khalti is near-instant; cash pickup is instant once the control number is shared. Allow an extra day for your first transfer while the app verifies you.
What you need
- A UK bank account and your UK photo ID (driving licence, BRP or passport); a Nepali passport is also accepted by most apps.
- Recipient’s name exactly as on their Nepali ID, bank name and account number, or wallet number.
Taxes and limits
There is no UK tax on sending money to family abroad. Apps set their own limits, typically £2,000–10,000 per transfer for verified users. In Nepal the money is tax-free for the recipient, and landing it directly in a bank account lets it go straight into a remittance-linked FD at a premium rate — see the live FD table.
On the Nepal side
Money from the UK arrives by direct bank deposit (best rate), wallet (eSewa, Khalti, IME Pay) or cash pickup at IME, Prabhu and bank counters nationwide. The full walkthrough is in our guide to receiving money in Nepal.
Sending for Dashain & Tihar 2026
Dashain tika is Wednesday, October 21 and Bhai Tika Wednesday, November 11. Nepali banks close around both, so send by ~October 14 and ~November 2 for bank-deposit payouts, and compare apps that week — festival promotions are the best of the year. Details: sending money home for Dashain & Tihar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to send money from UK to Nepal?
A remittance app — Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Instarem or TransferGo — funded by bank transfer and paid out as a bank deposit in Nepal. Compare the NPR received for your exact amount on the day.
How long does it take to send money from UK to Nepal?
Usually same day for bank deposit, often within minutes during Nepal banking hours; cash pickup is instant once the control number is shared.
Which app gives the best GBP to NPR rate?
It changes week to week. Wise shows the mid-market rate with a visible fee; Instarem and Remitly are often close or better after promotions. Our live corridor tool re-quotes every morning.
Can I send money from UK to Nepal with a credit card?
Most apps allow it, but card issuers often treat it as a cash advance with fees and immediate interest. Use a bank transfer instead.
Is money received from the UK taxed in Nepal?
No — remittance received by family in Nepal is not taxed. Interest earned on it once deposited is subject to the normal 5% TDS.
Before you send: compare every option in the remittance apps guide, check the live corridor comparison and today's NRB exchange rates — and help the money earn at home with the best FD and savings rates.