Are you a student, freelancer, business owner, or digital creator in Nepal struggling to pay for international services like Netflix, ChatGPT, Coursera, or Facebook Ads?
Good news — banks in Nepal now offer a special prepaid dollar card with an annual limit of USD 500 for online foreign payments. With this, you can subscribe to global services, use advanced AI tools, learn new skills, and market your brand internationally — all legally and directly from Nepal.
What Is the $500 Prepaid Dollar Card?
The USD 500 card is a foreign currency prepaid card issued by commercial and development banks in Nepal under Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) regulations. It allows Nepali residents to make online international payments of up to $500 per year from their NPR bank account, converted into USD.
It’s especially useful for:
- Students subscribing to international learning platforms
- Freelancers and creators using AI or design tools
- Businesses paying for ads or website services
- Anyone who wants to legally access global tools from Nepal
What Do Banks in Nepal Call This Card?
Below is an expanded list of banks that offer this card and what they call it:
| Bank Name | Card Name | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prabhu Bank | Prabhu 500 Dollar Card | 4-year validity, no annual fee, reloadable |
| Global IME Bank | Global E-Com Visa Dollar Card | Real-time top-up, load via mobile app |
| Laxmi Sunrise Bank | OrangE-Card (Dollar Prepaid Card) | 5-year validity, up to $5,000 for foreign income holders |
| NIC Asia Bank | International Prepaid Dollar Card | Supports ATM use abroad, $500 limit per year |
| Siddhartha Bank | E-Com Card | Reloadable, online use, $500/year |
| Machhapuchchhre Bank | MBL Smart Dollar Card | 5-year validity, reloadable, no annual fee |
| NMB Bank | NMB Visa International Card | Virtual and physical options |
| Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB) | NIMB Virtual Prepaid International Card | Easy online payments, virtual format |
| Kumari Bank | Kumari International Prepaid Card | One-time load, reloadable under limit |
| Citizens Bank International | CBL E-commerce Dollar Card | Primarily for online subscriptions and purchases |
What Can You Purchase with This Card?
This card opens the door to hundreds of platforms and tools you couldn’t pay for earlier. Here are the most popular categories:
Streaming & Entertainment
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
- Spotify
- YouTube Premium
Online Learning Platforms
- Coursera
- Udemy
- edX
- Skillshare
- LinkedIn Learning
Software & SaaS Tools
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Microsoft Office 365
- Grammarly Premium
- Canva Pro
- Zoom Pro
- Notion Premium
Domains, Hosting & Cloud Services
- Google Workspace
- GoDaddy, Namecheap
- Bluehost, SiteGround
- DigitalOcean, Hostinger
Mobile & App Store Purchases
- Apple App Store
- Google Play Store
Freelancing Platforms
- Fiverr (Buyers)
- Upwork (Connects/Plus Plan)
- LinkedIn Premium
Gaming Platforms
- Steam
- Epic Games
- Xbox Live / PlayStation Store
AI Tools & Subscriptions
- ChatGPT Plus (OpenAI)
- MidJourney
- D-ID
- Runway ML
- ElevenLabs
- Notion AI, Jasper, Writesonic
- Copy.ai, Surfer SEO, Quillbot Premium
Use of the Card for Digital Marketing & SEO
Many Nepali businesses are now running global ads and SEO campaigns by using this card. This is especially important as digital visibility becomes critical to compete in the modern market.
Used for:
- Facebook Ads
- Instagram Ads
- Google Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- X (Twitter) Ads
SEO Tools:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Ubersuggest
- Surfer SEO
What Government Policy Supports This?
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) first introduced the policy for international card usage in March 2021. Under its guidelines:
- Each individual can load up to USD 500 per fiscal year on a dollar card
- PAN Card and a signed declaration form are required
- Card can only be used for legitimate online services
- Cannot be used for remittance, crypto, gambling, or adult content
- Banks are responsible for transaction monitoring
How to Apply
- Open an account at one of the participating banks (if you don't have one)
- Fill out the application form and self-declaration
- Submit your citizenship and PAN copy
- Pay the issuance fee (usually NPR 500–1,000)
- Wait 3–5 working days for card activation (some banks issue instantly)
Some banks like Global IME, NIMB, or NMB also offer virtual dollar cards that you can load via mobile banking.
Precautions When Using the $500 Dollar Card
- Stick to NRB-Compliant Services: Use for legal services only. No gambling, crypto, adult content, or remittance.
- Don’t Bypass Limits: Avoid using multiple accounts or other people’s cards to exceed $500.
- Maintain a Payment Trail: Keep a record of your transactions.
- Load Only When Needed: Don’t store the full amount if not required.
- Watch for Auto-renewals: Cancel subscriptions you don’t want renewed.
- Protect Your Card Info: Use only on secure (https) sites. Never share credentials.
- Use Verified Platforms: Avoid scams and phishing by sticking to trusted websites.
- Don’t Use for Physical Imports: The card is meant for digital purchases only.
Nepal’s USD 500 Prepaid Dollar Card is your gateway to the global digital economy.
With it, you can:
- Watch international shows
- Learn new skills online
- Subscribe to top AI tools
- Promote your brand on social media
- Buy domains or SaaS software
- Write, design, and automate using AI
It’s 100% legal, bank-approved, and designed for digital-first citizens like you.
Need Help Using the Card?
If you're confused or need help using this card for:
- AI tools (like ChatGPT, MidJourney, D-ID)
- SEO & Digital Marketing campaigns
- Choosing the right bank for your needs
Reach out to me for guidance.
I’ll walk you through the setup, suggest the best tools, and help you get started the right way.
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