IELTS test cities in Nepal by provider
City lists come from IDP's fees and locations page and test centre finder, and the British Council's dates, fees and locations page, read on 9 October 2026. IDP's finder showed five centres, all marked "One Skill Retake available", and test date pages for other cities. Addresses are left out because venues change; use the finders or the ielts.org test centre finder.
| City | IDP | British Council | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Yes (One Skill Retake) | Yes | Computer; Writing on paper; UKVI; Life Skills on paper |
| Pokhara | Yes (One Skill Retake) | Yes | Computer |
| Chitwan | Yes (One Skill Retake) | Yes | Computer |
| Butwal | Yes | Yes | Computer |
| Itahari | Yes | Yes | Computer |
| Biratnagar, Birtamode | Yes (One Skill Retake) | Not listed | Computer |
| Banepa, Hetauda, Ghorahi, Nepalgunj | Yes | Not listed | Computer |
| Lamahi | Test date page in IDP finder | Not listed | Check sessions |
How to choose a centre
The fee is the same everywhere (NPR 36,000 on computer), so choose on dates and travel. Kathmandu has the most choice: IDP's Kathmandu page showed 442 upcoming sessions on 9 October 2026, with computer tests most days and a Writing on paper option (IDP Kathmandu). The British Council offers Writing on paper only in Kathmandu.
If you need IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills for a UK visa, plan to sit in Kathmandu. If you think you may need a One Skill Retake, test at a centre that offers it, because the retake must be booked with the same provider within 60 days. Candidates from the eastern Terai have IDP options in Biratnagar, Birtamode and Itahari; further west there are Butwal, Ghorahi and Nepalgunj.
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Book online with the provider running the centre: IDP through its test date pages, the British Council through its booking page. Fees, eSewa and bank payment steps, and refund rules are in our IELTS exam fee in Nepal guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities in Nepal have IELTS test centres?+
Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal and Itahari with both providers, plus Biratnagar, Birtamode, Banepa, Hetauda, Ghorahi and Nepalgunj with IDP.
Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in Nepal?+
In Kathmandu, with either IDP or the British Council.
Which IELTS centres in Nepal offer One Skill Retake?+
IDP's finder marked Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Biratnagar and Birtamode as One Skill Retake centres on 9 October 2026.
Is paper IELTS still available in Nepal?+
Only for Life Skills in the sessions we saw. For the main test you can choose Writing on paper with the other parts on computer, in Kathmandu with both providers.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS exam fee in Nepal
- IELTS in Nepal: paper phase-out and results
- PTE test centres in Nepal
- IELTS for students from Nepal
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 9 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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