IME
IME Limited is Nepal's largest cross-border remittance company, processing 27.5% of Nepal's inbound remittances via 45,000+ payout agents, 100+ bank partners, and IME Pay / Khalti by IME digital wallets for Nepalese migrant workers and their families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersKathmandu, Nepal
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What IME does
IME Limited is a privately held Nepali remittance company headquartered in Kathmandu, founded in 2001. It operates Nepal's largest cross-border remittance payout network, recognized by Nepal Rastra Bank as processing 27.5% of total Nepal inbound remittances in fiscal year 2079/80 — the highest share among all Nepali remittance companies. The company serves Nepalese migrant workers abroad (across 200+ countries via 150K+ global partner locations including MoneyGram, RIA, Unimoni, Al Ansari, Botim, Tiqmo, Panda Remit, ACE Money Transfer, and others) and their recipient families across all 77 districts of Nepal, who receive funds via 45,000+ IME agent counters, direct bank deposits at 100+ partner banks, or digital wallets.
The core platform is built on a proprietary in-house technology stack including the IME Control Number tracking system (12–16 digit reference numbers), real-time transaction monitoring with transparent exchange rates, and AML-CFT compliant transaction processing. IME has extended into digital wallets through IME Pay (proprietary, with merchant, customer, and agent apps) and Khalti by IME (a wholly-owned subsidiary), enabling instant wallet receipt, bill payments, mobile top-ups, savings, and interest earning. The company also runs IME India Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on Indo-Nepal remittance.
IME's business model is transaction-fee based: senders initiate transfers through partner platforms and pay fees on the sending side (corridor-dependent, typically 3–8% of transfer value), while IME earns on the payout-facilitation side in Nepal. The company monetizes via transaction fees, exchange margin, wallet-based cashback programs, and partner commissions. Go-to-market is B2B2C through international remittance operator partnerships, supplemented by direct-to-consumer digital onboarding via IME Pay and Khalti by IME apps. Marketing is multi-channel — festival campaigns (Dashain, Tihar, Teej), social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), content marketing, referral programs, and co-marketing with brands such as Samsung Nepal and Ncell.
IME firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IME
- Legal name
- IME Limited
- Website
- https://imeremit.com.np
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- IME Limited is Nepal's largest cross-border remittance company, processing 27.5% of Nepal's inbound remittances via 45,000+ payout agents, 100+ bank partners, and IME Pay / Khalti by IME digital wallets for Nepalese migrant workers and their families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IME industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cross-Border Remittance Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Merchant-of-Record (MoR) & Payment Facilitation (PayFac) Infrastructure (FSAGABAE)
Keywords
Where IME is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kathmandu
- HQ country
- Nepal
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
IME business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Transaction/Transfer Fees: IME charges transaction fees on remittance transfers. The sending partner (e.g., RIA, MoneyGram, ACE Money Transfer) typically pays or passes fees to IME for facilitating the payout in Nepal. Recipients generally do not pay receiving fees (IME Pay / Khalti by IME offers zero or minimal receiving costs). Revenue is generated per transaction processed through IME's network across all corridors (cash pickup, bank deposit, wallet deposit).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard remittance transfer fees vary by corridor |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | IME Zero — Zero-fee seasonal promotions |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | IME Pay wallet cashback slabs |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Levantine Express bonus slabs for receivers in Nepal |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
IME product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IME Limited operates a cross-border money transfer payout network that enables Nepali migrants abroad to send remittances to family members in Nepal through partner operators (MoneyGram, RIA, Unimoni, and others) and delivers funds via three channels: cash pickup at 45,000+ agent counters, real-time bank deposits to Nepali banks, and instant digital wallet credits through IME Pay or Khalti by IME. The service aggregates global sending partners and provides a single Nepal-side payout infrastructure with real-time tracking via the proprietary IME Control Number system.
Product overview
IME operates as a remittance service aggregator and payout network, not a single unified product. IME Remit serves as the core platform that aggregates international money transfer operators (including RIA, MoneyGram, Unimoni, ACE Money Transfer, Panda Remit, Levantine Express, and others) and offers three distinct payout modalities to recipients in Nepal: (1) cash pickup at IME counters and 45,000+ agent locations nationwide, (2) direct bank deposit to any Nepali bank account, and (3) digital wallet deposit via IME Pay (IME's proprietary wallet) or Khalti by IME (third-party wallet integration). The ecosystem is anchored by IME's extensive agent network and real-time transaction tracking capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Khalti by IME: Digital wallet platform for receiving remittances directly and making digital payments in Nepal
- IME Pay
Products and services
- IME Remit Cross-Border Remittance Service Core remittance payout network enabling Nepali migrants abroad to send money home through international partner operators (MoneyGram, RIA, Unimoni, etc.) with funds delivered via cash pickup, bank deposit, or digital wallet across Nepal.
- IME Cash Pickup Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 27.5% market share of Nepal's total remittances — highest among all remittance companies in the country (fiscal year 2079/80)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IME
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IME technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
IME partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Samsung NepalminorSamsung Nepal's 'Remit Ma Benefit' campaign partners with IME Remit and Khalti. Recipients who receive remittance via IME can use their IME Control Number to access exclusive Samsung offers with up to 6% cashback, up to 180 GB Ncell bonus data, and EMI options up to 24 months on smartphones, TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines. Khalti provides digital cashback functionality.
- Levantine ExpresscoreLevantine Express (UK FCA regulated) enables senders from UK/Europe to send money to Nepal via IME. Slab-based bonus campaign: NPR 30,001–100,000 gets NPR 100 bonus; NPR 100,001–200,000 gets NPR 150 bonus; NPR 200,001+ gets NPR 200 bonus. Valid through June 30, 2026.
- Panda RemitcorePanda Remit enables senders from Australia, US, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, EEA, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, UK, and Vietnam to send money to Nepal via IME. Joint cashback campaign offers recipients up to NPR 500 bonus for wallet deposits (NPR 50,000+ transactions) credited within 24 hours. Part of IME Zero fee-free corridor (Australia/Hong Kong/Singapore).
- ACE Money TransfercoreACE Money Transfer, headquartered in the UK (FCA regulated), enables senders from UK, Australia, and Portugal to send money to Nepal via IME's network with zero transfer fees (June–August 2025). Joint 'खबर छ – खुशी नै खुशीको' campaign offered TATA Tiago EV as grand prize and iPhone 16e for winners. Partners from UK, Europe, Australia, Canada send via ACE to IME.
- BotimcoreBotim is a communication and financial services app widely used by Nepali migrants in the UAE. IME and Botim run joint campaigns (Send Money Smarter, Cha-Ching Campaign) where UAE-based Nepali users send money to Nepal via IME directly from the Botim app. Recipients in Nepal can receive via bank deposit, Khalti wallet, or IME cash counters. Campaigns feature weekly and monthly prize draws (iPhones, cash prizes, up to 5X multiplier).
- TiqmocoreTiqmo is a Saudi Arabia-based mobile remittance app licensed under SAMA supervision. IME and Tiqmo run 'IME Garaun, Upahar Jitaun' campaign where Nepalese workers in Saudi Arabia send money to Nepal via IME through the Tiqmo app. Campaign features weekly cash prizes (Rs. 10,000 for 5 people weekly) and mega grand prize of BYD Atto 1 EV car. Campaign extended to May 31, 2026.
- Khalti by IMEcoreKhalti by IME is IME's in-house digital wallet product enabling instant remittance receipt directly into a mobile wallet. Available on Play Store and App Store. Users complete KYC verification, enter IME Control Number, and receive funds instantly. Supports bill payments, top-ups, savings, and earning interest. Key digital-first product for IME's economic transformation strategy.
- Al Ahalia ExchangeminorInternational money transfer partner enabling senders in sending countries to transfer funds to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- Unimoni ExchangecoreLeading global provider of cross-border remittance, foreign exchange, and payment solutions. Senders visit Unimoni branches or agents worldwide to send money to Nepal via IME's 35,000+ agent payout locations. IME provides cash pickup, bank deposit, and wallet deposit options for recipients in Nepal.
- MoneyGramcoreGlobal money transfer service trusted by 150+ million consumers in 200+ countries and territories. IME is MoneyGram's Nepal corridor partner, enabling recipients to pick up cash at IME's 35,000+ agent locations, receive bank deposits, or get wallet credits. Reference number-based tracking system.
- RIA Money TransfercoreLeading money transfer company with 507,000 locations in 160 countries. Senders can use RIA app, website, or in-person locations to send money to Nepal via IME. Recipients can receive funds in IME Pay wallet, bank account, or cash at IME's 35,000+ agent counters across Nepal.
- Kyodai RemittanceminorInternational remittance partner enabling transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- GME RemittanceminorInternational remittance partner enabling transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- Al Ansari ExchangeminorUAE-based exchange partner enabling Nepali migrants in the UAE to send remittances to Nepal via IME.
- UAE ExchangeminorInternational exchange partner enabling money transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- WorldWide Cash ExpressminorInternational cash express partner enabling money transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- Aman ExchangeminorRegional exchange partner enabling money transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- KAIECminorInternational remittance partner (Korea Australia International Exchange) enabling transfers to Nepal via IME's payout network.
- IME LondonminorIME's own London-based operation enabling UK senders to transfer money to Nepal with zero fees as part of IME Zero Tihar/Chhath campaign.
- Remit ChoiceminorUK-based remittance partner enabling zero-fee transfers to Nepal via IME as part of IME Zero Tihar/Chhath 2082 campaign.
- Bahrain India International ExchangeminorBahrain-based exchange partner enabling zero-fee transfers to Nepal via IME mobile app as part of IME Zero Tihar/Chhath campaign.
- GME KoreaminorSouth Korea-based remittance partner enabling zero-fee transfers to Nepal via GME Korea mobile app as part of IME Zero campaign.
- GCC ExchangeminorUAE-based exchange partner enabling zero-fee transfers to Nepal via GCC Exchange website or mobile app as part of IME Zero Tihar/Chhath campaign.
- IME India Private LimitedminorSubsidiary focused on delivering foreign currency exchange, domestic remittance, and Indo-Nepal remittance services. Nepalese citizens provide ID proof (Citizenship, Passport, or Aadhaar Card) and complete KYC at partner branches to send money instantly from India to Nepal via IME's corridor.
- NcellminorNcell provides bonus data (up to 180 GB) for customers purchasing Samsung smartphones under the Samsung-IME-Khalti 'Remit Ma Benefit' campaign, adding ongoing value beyond device purchase for remittance-receiving households.
- Muktinath Cable Car / TilaurikotminorMuktinath Cable Car (Narayanghat) and Lumbini Cable Car (Butwal) offer 20% discount on cable car tickets to IME remittance recipients who show their IME receipt or IME Pay digital receipt. Discount receipt is valid for 3 months. Aims to promote religious tourism among remittance-receiving families.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IME competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Prabhu Money Transfer: Direct competitor in Nepal's inbound remittance market, also operating a nationwide agent network. Closest comparable by corridor, geography, and customer segment.
Broad incumbents
- Western Union: Global remittance incumbent with direct competition for Nepal-bound flows and a much larger global network. Comparable in business model (cross-border MTO) but broader geographic and product scope.
- MoneyGram: Global MTO partner of IME; offers direct consumer remittance including to Nepal through its own network. Comparable in cross-border remittance model and global scale.
- RIA Money Transfer: Global MTO and IME partner; operates in 160+ countries with 507K+ locations. Overlaps on Nepal corridor and competes on international sending side.
Emerging players
- Remitly: Digital-first remittance company serving Nepal corridor with mobile app-based transfers. Competes on lower fees and convenience; emerging threat to traditional payout-based players like IME.
- Wise (TransferWise): Digital cross-border payments company serving Nepal with mid-market FX rates. Comparable in the cross-border payments space but with digital-native model versus IME's agent-heavy distribution.
- ACE Money Transfer: UK-based FCA-regulated remittance company and IME partner. Comparable in cross-border remittance model and serves overlapping corridors (UK, Europe, Australia, Canada).
- WorldRemit: Digital remittance platform serving emerging markets including South Asia. Competes on mobile-first model versus IME's traditional agent-based payouts.
Regional players
- Xpress Money: Cross-border remittance company with strong presence in Gulf-to-South Asia corridors. Comparable in target customer (migrant workers) and corridor coverage.
Others
- Khalti: Nepalese digital wallet platform that is now integrated as 'Khalti by IME'. Comparable in digital wallet/payments category within Nepal and overlapping in remittance-receiving functionality.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IME social profiles
Digital presenceIME compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
IME financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IME leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IME subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
IME funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IME M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IME
What does IME do?
IME Limited operates a cross-border money transfer payout network that enables Nepali migrants abroad to send remittances to family members in Nepal through partner operators (MoneyGram, RIA, Unimoni, and others) and delivers funds via three channels: cash pickup at 45,000+ agent counters, real-time bank deposits to Nepali banks, and instant digital wallet credits through IME Pay or Khalti by IME. The service aggregates global sending partners and provides a single Nepal-side payout infrastructure with real-time tracking via the proprietary IME Control Number system.
Is IME a public or private company?
IME is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IME founded?
IME was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is IME based?
IME is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Asia region.
How does IME make money?
One revenue line is on record: transaction/Transfer Fees.
Who are IME's main competitors?
Prabhu Money Transfer is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Western Union, MoneyGram and RIA Money Transfer. Emerging players are Remitly, Wise (TransferWise), ACE Money Transfer and WorldRemit. Xpress Money is listed as a regional player. Khalti is listed as an others.
Does IME have an API?
No public API is recorded for IME.
What industry is IME in?
IME's product category is Cross-Border Remittance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMAIAG, Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services, with a secondary code of FSAGABAE, Merchant-of-Record (MoR) & Payment Facilitation (PayFac) Infrastructure.