1. Online dollar card vs travel dollar card
There are two different “dollar cards” — make sure you ask for the right one:
- Online / e-commerce dollar card — a prepaid USD card to pay foreign websites that don’t accept NPR: Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, Coursera, application/exam fees, Facebook/Google/LinkedIn ads, Upwork/Fiverr. This is what most people mean by “dollar card”.
- Travel dollar card — for spending while travelling abroad (ATM cash + POS overseas, excluding Nepal and India), loaded against your passport travel-forex facility. Needs a passport, visa and confirmed air ticket.
2. Before you start — documents
Tick these off before going to the bank:
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3. Bank-wise options
Most commercial banks issue dollar cards; features, fees and reload methods differ. Always confirm the latest details on the bank’s official page or at a branch.
| Bank | Notable point |
|---|---|
| Global IME | Virtual or physical card; reload via GlobalSmart+ mobile app (no branch visit); ~Rs 300 annual renewal, 1-year validity |
| Nabil (Nabil iCard) | USD card, max top-up USD 500/year per regulator; excess over USD 500 transferred to your account; instant virtual card via mobile banking |
| NIC Asia (Int’l Pre-paid Dollar Card) | USD 500/year; Rs 750 issuance, Rs 250 cash-load (1st free), 0.5% transaction fee, 3-year validity; instant over the counter |
| Everest Bank | EBL World Travel Card (travel type) against passport facility; ~$10–12 issuance, $1–2 reload, 4-year validity |
| Nepal Bank | Official prepaid / dollar card product for online USD payments |
| NIMB · Siddhartha · Sanima · Kumari · Citizens · Machhapuchhre · Himalayan | Offer similar prepaid dollar cards — check each bank’s card page for limit, fees and reload |
4. Limits & fees to expect
- Annual limit: about USD 500/year per person for general online use. Crucially this is cumulative across all your dollar cards — holding cards at several banks does not give you 500 each; the total stays 500. IT/communication/information businesses may get up to USD 3,000, and up to about USD 5,000 if you earn foreign currency. Figures change — verify with NRB/your bank.
- Issuance/renewal: a small fee (e.g. Global IME notes ~Rs 300/year, 1-year validity).
- Reload: the bank converts NPR to USD at its selling rate; some add a per-reload charge.
- Travel card: separate fee schedule and a longer (e.g. 4-year) validity.
5. Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking for the wrong card — confirm online vs travel at the counter.
- Forgetting to state a clear purpose and source of funds (banks require it for the forex facility).
- Trying to exceed the annual limit — plan your loads.
- Not noting the card’s expiry and renewal date, so it lapses mid-subscription.
- Using an unauthorised “dollar card service” instead of a licensed bank — use official bank channels only.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dollar card and why do I need one in Nepal?
A dollar card is a prepaid USD Visa/Mastercard issued by a Nepali bank. Because NRB restricts ordinary Nepali debit/credit cards for international payments, a dollar card is the legal way for residents to pay foreign websites — Netflix, Amazon, Coursera, exam fees, Facebook/Google ads, Upwork/Fiverr and similar.
How much can I load on a dollar card per year?
For general online use the NRB facility is around USD 500 per person per year (as of 2026). IT/communication/information businesses can get higher limits — reportedly up to USD 3,000 a year, and up to about USD 5,000 if you earn foreign currency. Limits change, so confirm the current figure with NRB or your bank.
What documents do I need?
Typically an active bank account, citizenship certificate (or passport), PAN card, a passport-size photo, and a stated purpose with source of funds. The travel dollar card additionally needs a passport, visa (where applicable) and a confirmed air ticket to a third country.
Which banks issue dollar cards?
Many commercial banks do, including Global IME, Nabil, NIC Asia, Nepal Investment Mega, Siddhartha, Sanima, Kumari, Citizens, Machhapuchhre, Himalayan, Everest and Nepal Bank. Features, fees and reload methods differ — check each bank's official page.
Can I reload without visiting the bank?
It depends on the bank. Some require a branch visit with a reload form each time; Global IME lets you load through mobile banking. Ask your bank which reload method it supports.
What does it cost?
Fees vary by bank — there's usually a small issuance/renewal fee (for example Global IME notes about Rs 300 annual renewal with 1-year validity) and per-reload charges. Travel cards (e.g. Everest's EBL World Travel Card) have their own issuance and reload fees and a longer 4-year validity. Confirm exact charges with your bank.
Is the online dollar card the same as a travel card?
No. The online/e-commerce dollar card is for paying foreign websites in USD; the travel dollar card is for spending abroad (cash withdrawal and POS overseas, excluding Nepal/India) and is loaded against your passport travel-forex facility.