Sending money from India to Nepal legally in 2026

Economy August 28, 2026 9 min read

How to Send Money From India to Nepal (2026) — Legal Ways, Limits & Fees

Whether you’re supporting family, paying for something across the border, or a business making payments, sending money from India to Nepal is common — but it must be done through legal channels. India and Nepal have a special Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme for exactly this. This guide explains the safe, legal ways to send money from India to Nepal in 2026, the transfer limits, fees, what you need, and why informal cash transfers can land you in serious trouble.

Quick Answer	Details
Official channel	Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme (via SBI → NSBL)
Account holders	Up to ₹2,00,000 per transaction (bank-to-bank)
Cash (walk-in)	Up to ₹50,000 per transaction, max ~12/year
Distributed in Nepal via	Nepal SBI Bank (NSBL) branches & approved agents
Charges	Low — a few rupees to a small fixed fee per transaction
Illegal	Carrying/sending cash informally across the border (FEMA/Nepal FERA)

The Legal Way: Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility

India and Nepal have a dedicated, official remittance corridor — the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme. Money is routed through the State Bank of India (SBI) and, at the Nepal end, distributed through branches of Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL) and approved money-transfer agents. This is the safe, legal way for individuals to send money to Nepal.

Limits & Fees

Type	Limit	Notes
Bank account holders	Up to ₹2,00,000 per transaction	Sent from your bank account
Walk-in / cash (non-customers)	Up to ₹50,000 per transaction	Maximum ~12 transactions per year

Charges are low — for smaller transactions, originating charges are just a few rupees, with a small fixed fee at the SBI end. Exact limits and fees are set by the banks/RBI and can change — confirm with the bank.

How to Send Money (Step by Step)

Visit a participating bank branch (SBI and other member banks) or use their remittance service.
Provide the beneficiary’s details in Nepal (name, address, and bank/agent details).
Choose bank-account credit (to an NSBL account) or cash payout (via approved agent).
Pay the amount plus the small fee.
Share the reference number with the beneficiary to collect/track.

Other Ways to Transfer

Bank wire / authorised money-transfer operators — regulated channels for larger or business needs.
Licensed remittance services — ensure they’re authorised for the India–Nepal corridor.

Always compare the exchange rate and total fee — and remember the NPR–INR rate is fixed (see below), so focus on the fee.

Why Informal Transfers Are a Serious Mistake

It might be tempting to just carry cash across or use an unofficial “hawala” agent — don’t. Informal transfer of Indian rupees across the India–Nepal border is illegal under India’s FEMA and Nepal’s Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. It carries legal risk, no protection if the money is lost, and is a common front for fraud. Always use official banking channels. If you’ve been targeted by a transfer scam, see how to recover money lost to fraud.

The Currency Angle

The Nepalese Rupee (NPR) is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR) at a fixed rate, so you don’t face the currency swings you would with, say, dollars. Understand this in our NPR to INR exchange rate guide — it makes India–Nepal transfers simpler than most cross-border transfers.

Smart Tips

Use only official channels (Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility / authorised operators).
Double-check beneficiary details before sending.
Keep the reference number and receipt.
Compare fees, since the exchange rate is fixed.

Done right, sending money to Nepal is safe, cheap and quick. Confirm current limits and fees with your bank, as they are set by the banks and RBI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal way to send money from India to Nepal?▼

The dedicated legal channel is the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme. Money is routed through the State Bank of India and, at the Nepal end, distributed through branches of Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL) and approved money-transfer agents. You can send it as a credit to a bank account in Nepal or as a cash payout through an approved agent. Other regulated options include bank wires and authorised money-transfer operators for the India-Nepal corridor. Always use these official channels rather than informal transfers, which are illegal and unsafe.

How much money can I send from India to Nepal?▼

Under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility, bank account holders can typically send up to Rs 2,00,000 per transaction from their bank account. Walk-in or cash remittances by non-customers are restricted to up to Rs 50,000 per transaction, with a maximum of around 12 transactions per year. These limits are set by the banks and RBI and can change, so confirm the current figures with the bank before sending. Charges are low, especially for smaller transactions, making this an affordable way to send money across the border legally.

Is it illegal to carry cash across the India-Nepal border?▼

Informal transfer of Indian rupees across the India-Nepal border - whether by carrying large amounts of cash or using unofficial hawala-type agents - is illegal under India's Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Nepal's Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. It carries legal risk, offers no protection if your money is lost, and is a common front for fraud. Always use official banking channels such as the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility or authorised money-transfer operators. The legal channels are affordable and safe, so there is no good reason to risk informal transfers.

What are the fees to send money to Nepal?▼

Fees under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility are low. For smaller transactions, the originating bank charges are just a few rupees, with a small fixed fee charged at the SBI end. Because the Nepalese Rupee is pegged to the Indian Rupee at a fixed rate, you do not face fluctuating exchange-rate costs, so the main thing to compare is the transfer fee itself. Exact fees are set by the banks and can change, so confirm the current charges with your bank. Overall, legal transfers to Nepal are among the cheaper cross-border options.

Do I lose money on exchange rate when sending to Nepal?▼

Much less than with most international transfers, because the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR) at a fixed rate maintained by Nepal Rastra Bank. This means you do not face the currency swings you would when sending, for example, US dollars. As a result, the exchange-rate cost is predictable and stable, and the main variable is the transfer fee, which is generally low through official channels. This peg makes India-to-Nepal remittances simpler and more transparent than typical cross-border money transfers.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and educational purposes only, and is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of August 28, 2026. It is not professional, financial, legal or investment advice. Rules, rates and details change — please verify from official sources before acting. Read our full disclaimer.