Checked August 2026. Operator procedures and fees change — confirm current requirements at the service centre before starting.
Mobile Number Portability lets you keep your number while changing operators — which matters enormously in Nepal, where a number is often tied to bank accounts, business cards and years of contacts. Here is how MNP in Nepal actually works.
Before you start: should you port at all?
Porting solves one problem — you want a different operator’s coverage or pricing but cannot afford to change your number. Consider first whether the dual-SIM approach is simpler: keep your existing number, add the second operator’s SIM in the other slot, and use whichever is stronger where you are.
For most Nepali users, dual-SIM is the better answer. Port when you genuinely want to consolidate onto one operator — usually because your area’s coverage has decisively shifted, as our NTC vs Ncell comparison discusses.
What you need
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identity document | Original citizenship certificate (or passport/licence per operator policy) |
| SIM ownership | The number must be registered in your name |
| SIM age | Minimum period since activation or last port — typically 90 days |
| Dues cleared | No outstanding postpaid bills |
| Physical presence | Visit the receiving operator’s service centre |
The process, step by step
- Visit the operator you want to move TO — not your current one. Bring your citizenship document and the SIM you want to port.
- Fill the MNP application form at the counter and submit your documents.
- Receive a Unique Porting Code (UPC) — an SMS-delivered code that authorises the transfer.
- Pay the porting fee — a small charge set by the operator.
- Collect the new SIM from the new operator, and keep it safe until activation.
- Wait for the switchover — typically within about a week; the operator confirms the window.
- On switchover day, your old SIM stops working and the new one activates carrying your number. Insert the new SIM.
- Verify everything — calls, SMS, data, and critically your banking and eSewa/Khalti OTPs.
The things that go wrong
- Name mismatch. If the SIM is registered to a relative, port it in their name or transfer ownership first. This is the commonest rejection.
- Outstanding postpaid dues. Clear them before applying.
- SIM too recently activated or ported. The minimum period applies; check before you queue.
- OTP disruption during switchover. For a few hours you may have no service. Do not port on a day you need banking access — plan for a quiet day.
- Losing the new SIM before activation. Keep it somewhere obvious.
The critical pre-port checklist
Before you start, make sure your number is not the sole recovery method for anything you cannot afford to lose:
- Bank and wallet OTPs — confirm the number stays the same (it does) and that a brief outage is acceptable
- Two-factor authentication on Google, Facebook and other accounts — have backup codes saved
- Business listings and printed material — no change needed; the number travels with you
- Any pack balance on the old operator — it does not transfer. Use it up before porting
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my number when switching operators in Nepal? Yes — that is exactly what MNP is for. The number stays; the operator changes.
How long does MNP take in Nepal? Typically about a week from application to switchover; the operator confirms the window when you apply.
How much does porting cost? A small fee set by the receiving operator. Confirm the current amount at the service centre.
Do I lose my balance and data packs? Yes — unused balance and packs on the old operator do not transfer. Use them before you port.
Can I port back later? Yes, after the minimum holding period since your last port.
Should I port or just use dual-SIM? For most people, dual-SIM is simpler and gives you both networks’ strengths. Port when you genuinely want to consolidate.
The bottom line
MNP in Nepal is straightforward: go to the operator you want, bring citizenship, get the UPC, pay a small fee, wait about a week. The two things that catch people out are name mismatches and porting on a day they need OTPs. Fix both in advance — or consider whether dual-SIM solves your problem without the paperwork at all.