Nepali workers in Qatar asked Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to lower the cost of sending money home and to make the process simpler. They raised those points at a discussion in Doha on Saturday 24 October 2026.
NRB Deputy Governor Dirgha Bahadur Rawal said the suggestions would be considered as part of efforts to promote formal remittance channels. That matters and so does what it is not. “Will consider” is not an announced fee cut.
This companion piece expands the live ICN report for readers who are about to send money, or who saw headlines and assumed rates had already changed.
What happened in Doha
The Embassy of Nepal in Doha and NRB organised the discussion, titled “Remittances, Hundi and Financial Inclusion.” Ministry of Finance Joint Secretary Dev Raj Joshi, Acting Ambassador Kumar Rai, Nepali community organisations, banks and financial institutions took part.
Officials urged Nepalis to use formal, licensed channels rather than informal arrangements such as hundi. Formal transfers leave a record and usually offer a path for complaints; unauthorised routes can expose senders to fraud and loss.
Fee ≠ total cost
A remittance has two costs:
- The transfer fee what the provider openly charges.
- The exchange-rate margin the gap between the rate you get and a market reference rate.
The World Bank counts both in its “total cost.” A provider can advertise a low fee and still deliver fewer Nepali rupees per Qatari riyal.
What the 2025 survey showed (verified ranges)
ICN’s source article cites the World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide database for the Qatar-to-Nepal corridor, surveyed 21–28 August 2025, for a transfer of QAR 730:
| Provider / note | Advertised fee | Total cost (fee + FX) |
|---|---|---|
| City Exchange Company | QAR 20 | QAR 22.92 |
| Four other services | QAR 23 | QAR 25.77 – 26.72 |
| Western Union (internet) | QAR 20 | QAR 47.81 |
In percentage terms, the same survey put total costs on this route in a range of about 3.14% to 6.55%. The cheapest service sat just above the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of cutting remittance costs to under 3% by 2030.
These figures are from that August 2025 snapshot. They are not live quotes for today. Always compare current offers before you send.
Will NRB cut fees?
Not yet announced. Possible next steps officials and the live article point to include clearer disclosure of total transfer cost, easier access to licensed services, and more openness about exchange rates. Until NRB or licensed providers publish a change, treat viral claims of a nationwide cut as unverified.
For official remittance rules and licensed entities, NRB’s Foreign Exchange Management Department remains the starting point.
Practical checklist before you send
- Compare total cost (fee + rate), not fee alone.
- Prefer licensed banks and remittance companies over informal hundi.
- Keep receipts and reference numbers.
- Do not assume the Doha meeting changed your provider’s rates overnight.
Disclaimer
This is a news explainer based on ICN’s published report and the World Bank survey ranges cited there. It is not financial advice. Rates and rules change; verify with your provider and NRB before transferring large sums.
