IELTS fee in Nepal: NPR 36,000
Both British Council and IDP administer IELTS in Nepal, with fees revised as of 1 July 2025. Here's the current computer-delivered and paper-based pricing for every test type.
IELTS fee in Nepal
Administered by IDP Education Nepal and British Council Nepal.
| Body | Test type | Delivery | Fee | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDP | IELTS Academic/General | Computer-delivered | NPR 36,000 | ≈ $235 |
| IDP | IELTS Academic/General | Paper-based | NPR 36,200 | ≈ $237 |
| IDP | IELTS UKVILowest | Computer-delivered | NPR 28,800 | ≈ $188 |
| IDP | IELTS UKVI | Paper-based | NPR 34,000 | ≈ $222 |
| IDP | IELTS Life Skills | Paper-based | NPR 29,000 | ≈ $190 |
| British Council | IELTS Academic/General | Computer-delivered | NPR 36,000 | ≈ $235 |
USD figures are approximate, calculated at the exchange rate on 21 August 2026 — pay the local-currency amount shown on the official booking page.
Where to test, how to pay
Test centers
- Kathmandu
- Pokhara
- Biratnagar
- Butwal
- Chitwan
- Birtamode
Payment methods
- Bank deposit/transfer (Nepal Investment Bank, Standard Chartered, Nabil Bank)
- Online banking
- eSewa
- FonePay
- NepalPay QR
- Credit/debit card in person at the IDP Kathmandu office
2yrs
how long your Test Report Form stays valid for university or visa applications
What your fee actually buys you
One fee covers all four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — plus your first Test Report Form. Score lower than you hoped and a retake means paying the full fee again, unless a One Skill Retake option is offered here. And a no-show without cancelling ahead of time forfeits the entire fee, so always reschedule in advance if you can't make your test date.
Why the fee is only half the cost
If you pay NPR 36,000, you get one chance to try all four skills. It does not mean you can try again for a lower price if you fail. IDP and British Council Nepal do not give you a discount if you want to try again. If you do not get the score you need for your university or visa application, you have to pay NPR 36,000 to try again.
Sometimes people book the wrong test or choose the wrong provider by mistake. This is because there are two providers and the fees have changed recently. So it is a good idea to know what you are getting into before you pay.
Most people in Nepal who have to retake the test do not have weak English skills. They just have not taken the computer test before. They do not know how to manage their time. When you are taking the test, you have to read and answer questions quickly. It can be hard to do this when you are under time pressure. The Speaking part of the test can also be tricky. You have to talk for two minutes. It can feel like a long time.
SmoothMock has a test that you can try before you book the real test. This test is like the real one and it can help you prepare. The test has the same format and timing as the real test. When you take the test, you get feedback on how you did. This can help you improve your skills.
For example, the Speaking part of the test is like a conversation. The examiner will ask you questions. You have to answer them. The Writing part of the test will show you where you made mistakes. This can help you improve your writing skills. The Listening part of the test is also like the real one. You have to listen to a recording and answer questions. You can only listen to the recording once, so you have to get it right the first time.
If you take the SmoothMock test before you book the real test, you will be better prepared. You will know what to expect. You will be able to do your best. The NPR 36,000 you pay will be worth it because you will be ready for the test.
Paying NPR 36,000 for IELTS in Nepal? Make it count the first time.
SmoothMock grades a full-length attempt against the same band descriptors an examiner uses — sit it before you book the real thing.
Refund & reschedule policy
Refunds
Standard global IELTS policy applies, with no Nepal-specific deviation found: cancel or transfer more than 5 weeks before your test date for a refund minus a 10% admin fee. Within 5 weeks, refunds are only given for medical or force-majeure reasons (original medical certificate within 5 working days), minus a 20% admin fee, taking 4-6 weeks to process.
Rescheduling
Free transfer if requested more than 5 weeks before the test date; a 10% fee applies for transfers requested within 5 weeks.
How this compares regionally
Nepal's fee is close to India's in USD terms despite the higher NPR figure, and its UKVI-on-computer option (NPR 28,800) is the cheapest UKVI variant in the South Asia group. Fee figures here were revised 1 July 2025 — check the official IDP or British Council Nepal page for the latest before booking.
Questions, answered
Nepal-specific questions, plus what every IELTS test-taker should know about the fee.
Is the IELTS fee the same at IDP and British Council in Nepal?+
Largely yes for standard Academic/General Training (NPR 36,000 on computer), based on available data — but we could not independently verify British Council Nepal's full fee table directly, so always confirm on britishcouncil.org.np before booking.
Is computer-delivered or paper-based IELTS cheaper in Nepal?+
Computer-delivered is slightly cheaper for standard Academic/General Training (NPR 36,000 vs NPR 36,200 on paper), but notably cheaper for UKVI (NPR 28,800 vs NPR 34,000 on paper), per IDP Nepal's fee table.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my IELTS test in Nepal?+
Yes, if you cancel more than 5 weeks before the test date, minus a 10% admin fee. Within 5 weeks, refunds are only available with a valid medical certificate, minus a 20% admin fee.
How can I pay the IELTS fee in Nepal?+
Bank deposit or transfer at Nepal Investment Bank, Standard Chartered, or Nabil Bank; online banking; eSewa; FonePay; NepalPay QR; or card in person at the IDP Kathmandu office.
Is IELTS Life Skills cheaper than the standard test in Nepal?+
Yes — NPR 29,000 for IELTS Life Skills versus NPR 36,000 for computer-delivered Academic or General Training.
How much does it cost to reschedule IELTS in Nepal?+
Free if requested more than 5 weeks before your test date; a 10% fee applies for transfers requested within 5 weeks.
What's included in the IELTS fee?+
The fee covers all four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — plus one Test Report Form (TRF) sent to you and, if requested at registration, to a limited number of institutions or visa bodies free of charge. Extra copies of your TRF beyond the included number usually cost extra.
How long is an IELTS result valid for?+
Two years from the test date, for both Academic and General Training. Most universities and immigration authorities won't accept a TRF older than that, so time your test around your application or visa deadline.
Do I need to pay the full fee again if I fail or I'm unhappy with my score?+
Yes, for a full retake — IELTS doesn't have a discounted retake fee. Some countries offer a cheaper IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR), letting you re-sit just one section instead of all four, where available.
What documents do I need to book and pay for IELTS?+
A valid passport (the same one you'll bring on test day) is required at registration — your name and passport number must match exactly, since a mismatch can block you from sitting the test or collecting results.
Is the IELTS fee refundable if I don't turn up on test day?+
No — a no-show without prior cancellation forfeits the full fee under both British Council and IDP's global policy. Always cancel or transfer in advance if you can't make it, rather than skipping the test.
Verified sources
Every fee, policy, and figure on this page is checked directly against the official pages below as of 21 August 2026 — click through to confirm anything yourself before you book.