Khalti by IME enables direct international payments for Nepali freelancers

KATHMANDU: Khalti by IME has launched a system that lets Nepali freelancers and service providers receive international payments directly into their Khalti by IME mobile wallets.

Under the new arrangement, Nepali individuals working for foreign companies can send a Payment Request through the Khalti app. International clients and payment providers can then pay into a Khalti account via the Stripe gateway using methods such as ACH, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay and e-banking.

Khalti by IME said the payment amount is credited instantly to the recipient’s Khalti wallet, removing the need to wait weeks for funds to arrive. The company said the partnership provides global access, real-time settlement and secure cross-border transactions that comply with regulatory standards.

The payment architecture developed with Stripe is intended to make international transfers more reliable and to protect users’ transactions. Company officials said the partnership aims to address long-standing challenges faced by Nepal’s digital workforce in collecting payments from abroad and to reduce barriers that have limited the sector’s growth.

Praveen Regmi, CEO of IME Khalti, said the initiative opens new opportunities for Nepali entrepreneurs and digital talent. “This partnership has opened doors for Nepali entrepreneurs and digital talents to earn globally and receive those funds instantly,” he said. He added that the initiative marks “a significant milestone in Nepal's fintech sector, as it enables a domestic digital wallet to provide convenience through sophisticated and integrated cross-border transactions.”

The company said the service will make it easier for freelancers and small businesses in Nepal to participate in the global marketplace by simplifying payment collection and improving the speed and security of cross-border receipts.