Yes, Nepal has eSIM. Ncell and Nepal Telecom both offer it, and Apple lists both for eSIM on iPhone. Ncell also sells a Tourist eSIM online for visitors. If you only need data for a trip, a travel eSIM you install before you fly is the simplest route.
Here is what each option gives you and who it suits:
- Ncell Tourist eSIM: a local plan for non-Nepalese visitors, with unlimited data under a fair usage policy, local calls and 100 SMS.
- Nepal Telecom (NTC) eSIM: NTC links to an eSIM portal from its website. Check there whether visitors can sign up.
- Travel eSIM: sold online by providers like SimOptions. Data only, installed before you leave.
The local plans give you a Nepali number and minutes. A travel eSIM gives you data and nothing else.
Ncell eSIM
Ncell is one of Nepal's two big mobile operators. Apple's list of eSIM carriers shows Ncell for eSIM activation by QR code or carrier app. It also shows Ncell for eSIM prepaid plans for international travelers.
Ncell Tourist eSIM
Ncell's Tourist SIM page lists three TouristPro plans when we checked. Each one includes 100 SMS, and data and calls are unlimited with a fair usage policy:
- Sprinter: 7 days, NPR 595.
- Explorer: 14 days, NPR 995.
- Voyager: 28 days, NPR 1,995.
Only non-Nepalese citizens can buy Tourist Plans. According to Ncell, tourist eSIMs are sold online only, through its Tourist eSIM Platform. A physical tourist SIM needs your original passport at registration. The page doesn't say what ID the eSIM needs, so you'll see that when you buy. Plans and prices change, so check the page first.
Ncell eSIM through Khalti
Ncell also has an eSIM you buy in the Khalti app. It is for Nepali customers only. Ncell says the service for foreign visitors has not launched yet, so as a tourist you can't use it.
Nepal Telecom (NTC) eSIM
Nepal Telecom, also called NT or NTC, links to an eSIM portal at esim.ntc.net.np from its official site. Apple's carrier list shows Nepal Telecom for eSIM activation by QR code or carrier app.
The portal didn't load for us when we checked, so we can't tell you the plans, prices or ID rules for visitors. Open it before you travel and see if foreign passport holders can sign up. If it isn't clear, ask NTC customer care.
Nepal travel eSIM: data without a local SIM
A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online. You get a QR code by email, install it on Wi-Fi before you leave, and it connects when you arrive. According to their plan details, the SimOptions Nepal plans run on Ncell with 4G/LTE. They are data only, so there is no Nepali number, calls or SMS. Top-ups are available.
Plans go from 1 GB for 3 days up to 20 GB for 15 days. For a few days of maps, messages and photos in Kathmandu or Pokhara, 3 GB to 5 GB is a good starting point. For a longer trek with video calls and uploads, look at 10 GB or more. Mountain coverage varies by area, so download offline maps before you head out.
These plans cover Nepal. See all options on our Nepal eSIM page or browse all destinations.
How to set up an eSIM for Nepal
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility and our list of eSIM supported devices.
- Buy your plan and wait for the QR code by email.
- Install it on Wi-Fi before you leave. On iPhone, scan the code and follow the steps in Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone. Step by step for iPhone and Android: how to install an eSIM.
- Label the line "Nepal" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
- When you land in Kathmandu, make the travel eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Not connecting after you land? Go through our eSIM activation fixes.
Local eSIM or travel eSIM: which one is right for you?
An Ncell or NTC eSIM fits if
- You stay in Nepal for weeks or months.
- You need a Nepali number for local calls, deliveries or services.
- You're fine buying a plan and checking ID rules on the operator's own platform.
A travel eSIM fits if
- You're on a short trip or a trek and want data the moment you land.
- You want to sort it out at home, with no queue at the airport.
- You want to keep your home number on your phone at the same time. See how to set up a dual eSIM.
- You're also visiting India on the same trip. See our India eSIM page.
New to eSIM? Read what an eSIM is first.
FAQs
Does Nepal have eSIM?
Yes. Ncell and Nepal Telecom both offer eSIM, and Apple lists both carriers for eSIM on iPhone. Travel eSIMs for Nepal are also sold online.
Is eSIM available in Nepal for tourists?
Yes. Ncell sells a Tourist eSIM online to non-Nepalese visitors. The Ncell eSIM you buy in the Khalti app is for Nepali customers only. A travel eSIM works without any local sign-up.
How do I get an eSIM in Nepal?
As a visitor, the easiest way is to buy a travel eSIM online before you fly and install the QR code on Wi-Fi. For a local plan, use Ncell's Tourist eSIM Platform or check the NTC eSIM portal.
What is Ncell's Tourist eSIM?
It is a local plan for non-Nepalese citizens. When we checked, Ncell listed 7, 14 and 28 day plans with unlimited data and calls under a fair usage policy, plus 100 SMS.
Do I get a Nepali phone number with a travel eSIM?
No. The SimOptions Nepal plans are data only. For a Nepali number and local minutes, get an Ncell or NTC plan.
Which network does the SimOptions Nepal eSIM use?
The SimOptions Nepal plans run on Ncell, with 4G/LTE.
Can I install a Nepal eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install the QR code on Wi-Fi at home. A SimOptions travel eSIM then activates automatically when you reach Nepal.
Can I use a Nepal eSIM on an iPhone?
Yes, if your iPhone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Add the eSIM under Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM, or follow Apple's eSIM setup guide.
