SWIFT codes in Nepal
NP · NPR
21 banks in Nepal, from HIMALAYAN BANK LTD. (HIMANPKA) onward; every code carries NP as its country part.
Banks
21
SWIFT codes
1
Branches
1
Currency
NPR
Banks and SWIFT codes in Nepal
HHIMALAYAN BANK LTD.
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
HIMANPKAXXX | KATHMANDU |
Nepal SWIFT code questions
What does a Nepal SWIFT code look like?
HIMANPKAXXX (HIMALAYAN BANK LTD.): bank HIMA, country NP, location KA, branch XXX.
What are the SWIFT codes for major Nepali banks?
Key Nepali bank SWIFT codes include: Nabil Bank — NABILNPA, Standard Chartered Nepal — SCBLNPKA, Nepal Investment Mega Bank — NIBLNPKA, Himalayan Bank — HIMANPKA, Everest Bank — EVBLNPKA, and Prabhu Bank — PRBLNPKA.
How do remittances from Gulf countries and Malaysia reach Nepal via SWIFT?
Nepal has a large population working in Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Malaysia. When these workers send money home, transfers can travel via SWIFT from the Gulf or Malaysian bank to the recipient's Nepali bank. Alternatively, many licensed money transfer operators (Western Union, IME, Prabhu Money) have dedicated Nepal payout networks that can be faster and cheaper than bank-to-bank SWIFT for smaller amounts.
How long does a SWIFT transfer to Nepal take?
SWIFT transfers to Nepal typically arrive within one to three business days. Transfers from India can sometimes settle faster due to geographic proximity and strong correspondent relationships, while transfers from Europe or North America may take two to three business days. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) compliance review is generally swift for personal remittances, which are a nationally important economic inflow.
Does Nepal have a domestic payment system similar to SWIFT?
Yes. ConnectIPS is Nepal's domestic interbank payment system, operated under the oversight of Nepal Rastra Bank. It handles NPR transfers between Nepali banks. ConnectIPS is entirely separate from SWIFT and cannot receive international payments. After a SWIFT transfer arrives at a Nepali bank, the bank credits the recipient's account through its internal systems.
Are there Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) regulations on inbound remittances?
NRB regulations require that all inbound foreign currency received via SWIFT be converted to Nepali rupees (NPR) within three months, unless held in an NRB-approved Foreign Currency Account (FCA). NRB sets a daily reference rate for the NPR against the USD (and other currencies), and the receiving bank's conversion rate is based on this reference. Irregular or large transfers may require documentation of purpose.
Is the NPR pegged to the INR and does this affect how I should send money?
Yes. The Nepali rupee (NPR) is pegged to the Indian rupee (INR) at a fixed rate of NPR 1.6 per INR 1. This means USD/NPR rates effectively track USD/INR movements. For senders in India, transferring INR to Nepal is straightforward given the pegged rate. For senders in USD or EUR, the conversion is routed through the USD/NPR rate derived from the INR peg.
Are there fees for receiving a SWIFT transfer in Nepal?
Nepali banks typically charge an inbound wire processing fee, often NPR 200–1,000 per transaction. Currency conversion includes an additional spread. For personal remittances — especially from the Gulf — dedicated remittance services like IME, Prabhu Money, or international operators like Western Union and Remitly often offer faster delivery and lower total cost than bank-to-bank SWIFT.
How SWIFT works in Nepal
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank, regulates all foreign exchange and international banking activity. Remittances from Nepali workers abroad are the country's largest source of foreign exchange, making inbound SWIFT transfers critically important to the economy. Major banks including Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Nepal, Nepal Investment Bank, and Himalayan Bank are connected to the SWIFT network. Domestic transfers use the ConnectIPS system.
- Nepal's SWIFT-connected banks include Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Nepal, Nepal Investment Bank, Himalayan Bank, Everest Bank, and NMB Bank. Standard Chartered Nepal is frequently used as a correspondent hub for USD transfers due to its global network. Nabil Bank (formerly Nepal Arab Bank) has one of the strongest international correspondent relationships for personal remittances.
- NRB regulations require that all inbound foreign currency transfers be encashed into Nepalese rupees (NPR) within three months of receipt, unless held in a Foreign Currency Account (FCA). FCAs are permitted for non-resident Nepalis (NRNs) and residents who regularly receive foreign transfers. The encashment rate is set by the receiving bank based on the daily NRB reference rate.
- Nepal's foreign exchange market is tightly managed by NRB. The NPR is pegged to the Indian rupee (INR) at a fixed rate, which in turn affects USD/NPR conversion. Senders should use licensed money transfer operators or bank-to-bank SWIFT transfers rather than informal channels, as NRB monitors remittance flows and unofficial transfers can create problems when funds need to be accessed.
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