If your bank account was opened before Nepal made the National Identity Card (NID) mandatory, it is time to pay attention. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revised its Unified Directives to require banks and financial institutions to link every existing customer record with the national ID system, and account holders now have a firm window to update their details — or risk running into trouble with an account that no longer functions smoothly.
What Is This New NRB Directive?
Nepal Rastra Bank has instructed all licensed banks and financial institutions to gradually update the identification details of existing account holders, extending the National ID requirement beyond just new accounts. Until now, National ID has been mandatory only for accounts opened after January 14, 2025. This directive brings older accounts — opened when citizenship certificates or other documents were the norm — into the same nationally verified identity system.
Why NID Is Being Linked to Bank Accounts
The National Identity Card carries a unique National Identity Number (NIN) intended to serve as a single, verified digital identity across government and financial services. By tying every bank account to this number, NRB aims to build more accurate, fraud-resistant customer records, reduce duplicate or mismatched identities across the banking system, and gradually retire fragmented, document-based identification in favor of one verified national system.
The Deadlines You Need to Know
By the end of Ashoj: Banks must collect a self-declaration from every existing account holder on whether they have already received a National Identity Card. This can typically be submitted through the bank's mobile banking app or another suitable digital channel.
If you already have your NID: You must submit either the physical card or the National Identity Number printed on it to your bank by the same end-of-Ashoj deadline, so your bank can update your KYC record.
If you do not yet have an NID: You will be informed to apply for and obtain one, with a longer window of six months — by the end of Poush — to update your bank once you receive it.
What You Need to Do Now
Special Cases Worth Knowing
Children under 16. NRB has clarified that a National Identity Card will not be mandatory for accounts opened in the name of children below 16 years of age, so parents do not need to worry about this requirement for minors' accounts.
Nepalis living abroad. Non-resident Nepalis can still open bank accounts online without an NID, but they will be required to submit their NID details within 35 days of returning to Nepal.
Still waiting for your physical card? Many Nepalis have enrolled for the National ID but have not yet collected the physical card. If this applies to you, keep track of your enrollment status through the Department of National ID and Civil Registration and update your bank as soon as your ID becomes available.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
While NRB has taken a phased, accessible approach rather than an abrupt cutoff, delaying your self-declaration or NID submission is not advisable. Banks are being pushed to align their entire customer base with the national identity system, and accounts with incomplete or outdated KYC records are more likely to face restrictions, extra verification steps, or service disruptions down the line. Updating early, while the process is still straightforward, is the simplest way to avoid any inconvenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit my bank branch in person?
In most cases, no — the self-declaration and NID submission can typically be completed through your bank's mobile banking app, though visiting a branch remains an option if you prefer.
What if my citizenship details don't match my NID exactly?
It is best to raise any mismatch with your bank directly, since accurate, matching records are essential for your KYC update to go through smoothly.
Will my old account be closed if I miss the deadline?
NRB's directive is designed as a phased update process rather than an automatic account closure, but delays in verification could still affect how smoothly your account functions, so it is safer to complete the update on time.
Where can I apply for a National ID if I don't have one yet?
National ID enrollment is handled by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration through its district-level enrollment centers.
Final Thoughts
This update is part of a broader move to bring Nepal's banking system onto a single, verified national identity standard. If you hold an older bank account, the safest step is to check your NID status today, submit your self-declaration through your bank's app before the end of Ashoj, and follow through with your National ID number as soon as it is available. A few minutes now can save you complications later.
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