Kathmandu, September 28, 2026 — Nepalis spent about Rs 209 billion on overseas education and foreign travel in fiscal year 2025/26, reflecting continued growth in the number of people travelling abroad for study and other purposes.
According to a report released by the Ministry of Finance, Nepalis spent Rs 141 billion on overseas education and Rs 67.18 billion on foreign travel during the fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83).
Nepal earned Rs 90.05 billion from foreign visitors during the fiscal year, while Nepalis spent Rs 119 billion abroad under the broader travel category.
The increase in overseas education and travel spending has accompanied a rise in the number of Nepalis pursuing higher education and travelling abroad. The trend has implications for foreign exchange outflows and domestic economic activity.
Government data show that 548,717 Nepalis obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to study in 83 countries between fiscal years 2020/21 and 2025/26. During the same period, Rs 556.68 billion flowed out of Nepal for foreign education.
Students travelling abroad initially spend on university tuition, accommodation, food, transportation and other living expenses. Quality education, employment opportunities and international exposure are among the factors associated with the decision to study overseas. Some students later enter the workforce abroad and send remittances to Nepal.
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Remittance inflows increased by 37.1 percent to Rs 2.363 trillion in fiscal year 2025/26, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. Remittance inflows had increased by 19.2 percent in the previous fiscal year.
In the final month of fiscal year 2025/26, Nepal received Rs 242.33 billion in remittances, compared with Rs 189.11 billion in the corresponding month a year earlier.
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Nepalis spent Rs 67.18 billion on foreign travel during fiscal year 2025/26. Foreign holidays, religious and cultural travel, education, training and business trips have contributed to travel spending.
India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Japan are among the destinations visited by Nepali travellers. Thailand, Dubai and Malaysia have also attracted Nepali travellers through relatively affordable travel packages.
Package tours to Southeast Asian destinations have gained popularity, while many Nepalis travel to India for religious and cultural purposes. Others travel abroad for education, training and business.
Rising household incomes, including income supported by remittances from migrant workers, have increased the ability of some Nepali families to travel abroad. Travel agencies have also introduced packages covering several days in destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia and Dubai.
Nepal Rastra Bank classifies spending on air tickets, hotels, food, local transportation, shopping and entertainment as travel expenditure. Spending at casinos, entertainment centres, shopping malls and other tourism-related activities is also included.
Expenses incurred by companies when sending employees abroad for short-term training, conferences, exhibitions and business meetings are likewise recorded as travel expenditure under the services account.