If your bank account in Nepal was opened before the National Identity Card (NID) existed — using just your citizenship certificate, as almost everyone's older accounts were — Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) now wants that record brought up to date. Under a recent revision to its Unified Directives, NRB has told all banks and financial institutions to collect a self-declaration from every account holder about whether they have received a National ID, with a deadline set for the end of Ashoj. Here's what that actually means for you, what you need to do, and who doesn't need to worry about it right away.
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What NRB Actually Announced
Nepal Rastra Bank has revised its Unified Directives to require banks and financial institutions to connect existing customer records to the National Identity Card system, not just new accounts opened going forward. Every bank must now collect a self-declaration from account holders — essentially a simple yes-or-no confirmation of whether they have received their National ID — by the end of Ashoj. Customers who already have their NID must go a step further and provide either the card itself or their National Identity Number within the same window, so the bank can update its know-your-customer (KYC) records accordingly.
On the deadline: Ashoj is a month in the Nepali calendar that typically falls in the September–October window. Because regulatory deadlines like this can be extended or clarified after the fact, it's worth confirming the exact current-year date directly with your bank or on the NRB website before assuming this one applies unchanged.
Why This Applies to Old Accounts Too
This directive is a continuation of a shift that started with new account openings. NRB had already made the National ID number mandatory for opening brand-new bank accounts, replacing the citizenship certificate as the primary identity document for that purpose. What's new here is that the requirement now reaches backward, into accounts that were opened years ago using only a citizenship certificate or other older documents. The goal is to gradually bring Nepal's entire banked population onto a single, nationally verified identity record rather than leaving older accounts on a separate, less verified footing indefinitely.
Importantly, this doesn't mean older accounts are being frozen overnight. The self-declaration step is the minimum requirement by the deadline — it tells your bank where you stand, even if you haven't received your physical NID card yet.
Step-by-Step: Updating Your Details Online
Most banks are handling this through their existing mobile banking apps rather than requiring a branch visit, which makes the update fairly quick if you already have the app installed.
If you don't use mobile banking, the same self-declaration and NID update can typically be done in person at your branch — bring your NID or National Identity Number if you have it, and your citizenship certificate as a backup reference.
Who Is Exempt
NRB's directive builds in some deliberate flexibility so that the requirement doesn't cut people off from banking services they already depend on.
What Happens If You Don't Have an NID Yet
If you simply haven't received your National Identity Card yet — a common situation, since the nationwide rollout is still reaching some districts — you are not immediately locked out of your account. Based on current reporting on the directive, banks are expected to record your self-declaration and then follow up periodically, roughly every six months, reminding you to obtain your NID and complete the update once it's available. This phased approach is intended to keep banking services accessible while the national identity rollout continues, rather than penalizing customers for a government process outside their control.
Practical takeaway: even if you don't yet have your physical NID card, completing the simple self-declaration step by the deadline keeps your account in good standing. The bigger risk is not that your account stops working overnight — it's that skipping the declaration step entirely could complicate things down the line as banks tighten enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my account really stop working if I miss the deadline?
Current reporting on the directive suggests a phased approach rather than an immediate account freeze — banks are expected to continue reminding customers who haven't yet obtained an NID rather than cutting off access right away. That said, requirements and enforcement can tighten over time, so completing the self-declaration by the deadline is the safer path regardless.
What if I already have an NID but haven't told my bank?
You'll need to provide either your physical NID or your National Identity Number to your bank before the deadline so they can update your KYC record — this is a separate, more complete step than the basic self-declaration.
Do I need to visit my bank branch in person?
Not necessarily. Most banks are enabling this update through their mobile banking apps. A branch visit is really only needed if you don't use mobile banking or prefer to handle it in person.
Is this the same rule that applies to opening new bank accounts?
It's related but distinct. New accounts have been required to use National ID-based verification for a while now. This latest directive extends the same underlying identity system to accounts that were already open before that requirement existed.
My family member is elderly and can't manage this themselves — what should we do?
NRB's directive specifically allows for vulnerable individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs to continue operating accounts through alternative recognised documents, so it's worth speaking directly with the bank branch about the best arrangement for their situation.
The safest move here is a simple one: don't wait until the last week of Ashoj to check where your account stands. Log in to your bank's app, look for the National ID or KYC update section, and complete the self-declaration now — it takes only a few minutes and keeps you clear of any last-minute uncertainty as the deadline approaches.
Reference: Nepal Rastra Bank (nrb.org.np) — Unified Directives, 2082, as revised.
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