Duolingo English Test (DET) Price in Nepal: Fees and Booking

The current registration price per test for Duolingo English Test (DET) in Nepal is $59 USD, equivalent to NPR 8,200 – 8,500, whereas the price for the registration bundle, including two tests, is $100 USD. This guide offers the latest information on DET fees, the different steps in payment methods using Dollar Cards in Nepal, and some key tips that help you secure a score that is recognized when applying for student visas in countries like the USA, the UK, or Canada. The fees and payment methods explained in this guide enable you to avoid common mistakes when making bookings.

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Current Duolingo English Test (DET) Fees in Nepal

Duolingo has revised its pricing according to the increasing demand for the test and its security features. The official pricing structure for Nepali citizens has been provided below:

Option	Price (USD)	Estimated Price (NPR)
Single Test Attempt	$70	रू 9,800
2-Test Bundle (Best Value)	$118	रू 16,500
Priority Results (12-hour turn-around)	+$40	+रू 5,600

Note: The actual amount may vary slightly according to the selling rate and other charges applied by your bank.

Key 2026 Pricing Features:

• The 2-Test Bundle: Each test costs $118, making it $59 per test. This is highly recommended, especially for a student who will retake these tests to improve their scores.

• Priority Results: If you are working under a tight deadline within a university, the “Priority” option is available when checking out for an additional $40 to receive results within 12 hours, rather than the standard 48 hours.

How to Pay for Duolingo English Test (DET) in Nepal: A 2026 Checklist

Paying for international exams from Nepal used to be a complex process, but the introduction of the Dollar Card by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has streamlined everything. Below are the most reliable ways to handle your payment for the Duolingo English Test price in Nepal.

Method 1: The Dollar Card

The most secure and recommended method for settlement of the fee of $70 is through a Prepaid Dollar Card. The “A-Class” commercial banks, such as Nabil Bank, Global IME Bank, and NIMB Bank, facilitate the transaction through a Prepaid Dollar Card up to a limit of $500 annually. For this purpose, you have to visit the local branch of a bank with your citizenship document and a photocopy of your PAN card. Once this card is issued, usually within a period of 24-48 hours of application, you can add money in Nepali Rupees to your Prepaid Dollar Card, and this can be used to directly pay the DET fee on the official website.

Method 2: International Credit/Debit Cards

If you possess a standard credit or debit card from any bank in Nepal, you may be able to use the same card for the payment if international e-commerce services are enabled. It would be wise to log in to your mobile banking account or call the helpline service provider to ensure that the “International Transaction” service is enabled on your card. It is also important to ensure that the card allows for 3D secure authentication, as the Duolingo website requires a One-Time Password (OTP) to be sent via SMS or email to complete the transaction. 

Also, ensure that the amount in the bank account is slightly more than the required amount, i.e., $70 or $118, in order to accommodate the varying exchange rates as well as bank service charges.

Method 3: Third-party/Voucher Services

For students who are unable to purchase a bank card, many authorized educational consultancies in and around Kathmandu and other major cities offer “DET Vouchers.” Not only can you pay through various digital wallets in NPR using services like eSewa, Khalti, or Fonepay, but in return, they also will provide a unique promo code redeemable at checkout to cover the cost of the test. 

 However, it is critical to exercise extreme caution and avoid purchasing “discounted” promo codes from individual sellers on social media as they have allegedly been procured with fraudulent money and may lead to your test being canceled along with a permanent ban on your account.

Common Payment Errors & Quick Fixes

Even if one has the correct card, payment failure is an issue in Nepal due to its stringent bank laws and regulations. This is how one can troubleshoot some of the most occurring problems while making an online payment for the price of the Duolingo English test:

Insufficient Balance and Hidden Charges:

The transaction can fail if the account holder makes the deposit equivalent only to the amount of $70 or $118 in NPR. You must account for the bank’s currency conversion fees (usually 1-2%) and the NRB’s mandatory service charges for international e-commerce. 

We suggest having an added buffer of $5-$10 in the card balance for a smoother checkout experience because if it is too close to the limit, then the bank’s system may automatically reject it to prevent it from being an accidental overdraft.

Dual-Factor Authentication (2FA) and OTP Delays:

Duolingo payment gateway uses high-security protocols, and in most cases, the payment gateway shows the user a prompt asking for 3D Secure, which needs the user to enter his/her One-Time Password, which you receive on your mobile number or email. However, internet delays or improper international roaming settings in Nepal are often a problem, and users are advised to check if their bank’s app supports “Soft Tokens” or reach their bank’s card department to check if their information is updated for international usage or not, as the OTP must be received within 60 seconds. 

Incorrect Billing Address and Card Information:

A common mistake is entering a billing address on Duolingo’s website that does not match the record held by your bank. Entering your name exactly as it appears on your card, and making sure you are entering the correct CVV (the 3-digit number located on the back of your card). If you are using a new Dollar Card, please remember it often needs to be “activated” for your first-time use, and consider checking your balance or your bank’s customer account site.

Step-by-Step Booking Guide From Nepal 

Booking the Duolingo English Test in 2026 is a digital-first process. Unlike other exams, you buy the credit first and take the test whenever you are ready.

Registration Process

• Create an Account: You should register on the Duolingo English Test website and create an account. Make sure the name you use for the registration process is exactly the same as the Passport; otherwise, in 2026, Duolingo would only accept Passport as an ID for Nepali citizens.
• Purchase the Test: Go to your dashboard and click “Buy Now.” You will have to choose either $70 or buy a pack for $118. You can then select your preferred method of payment, for example, Dollar Card, and proceed with your purchase.
• Prepare Your Environment: A quiet, private space; a room with good light; and a 100% clean desk, without notes, papers, or other electronic devices. You must have a computer with a working webcam, microphone, and speakers; headphones are not allowed.
• Download the Desktop App: You cannot take the test through any web browser. You must download the Desktop Application of Duolingo English Test for Windows or macOS from your dashboard. Remember to shut other apps like Grammarly, Zoom, Skype, etc., before starting the application.
• Set Up the Secondary Camera: The big feature for 2026 is that a Secondary Camera is now required. This will require you to scan a QR code using your smartphone and open up a mobile version of the DET monitoring application. You must position your phone so that it can record your face, hands, keyboard, and computer screen from a side angle.
• Take the Test: Once your identity is verified through our passport scan, and your room/ear scans are complete, you can take the test. Remember, you have 21 days from the time of purchase to complete the test.

The 21-Day Rule

Once you buy a test or a set of tests, the credit is not permanent. Rather, there is a 21-day time frame within which you need to give your test after making the purchase. If you fail to give the exam within this time frame, your credit will expire, and there will be no refund.

Pro Tip: It’s recommended you only buy the test once you’re “exam ready.” Avoid buying the test too early – months ahead of schedule. On the other hand, if you purchased a 2-test package deal, the 21-day window begins for the second test only after receiving results from the first test.

Is Duolingo English Test (DET) Accepted for Your Goal (Student, Migrant, Worker)?

Before spending $70, you must confirm if the DET serves your specific purpose. Acceptance has changed significantly for the 2026 intake.

University Admissions: How to Verify Acceptance Fast

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is recognized by over 6,000 institutions all over the world for admissions, which is a quick, cost-effective, and online version of the traditional IELTS or TOEFL options available. It has emerged as a top choice for students due to its convenience and cost effectiveness.

• United States: There is near-universal acceptance across the U.S., with over 3,500 programs on board. What’s interesting to know here is that among these institutions, 95% of top 100 universities, including Ivy League institutions, Stanford, and MIT, officially accept DET scores.
• Canada & UK: In these countries, the major organizations have incorporated the DET program into their admission processes. This includes top-class institutions such as the University of Toronto in Canada and Imperial College in the UK.
• Australia: Although well-accepted for university admission, it is worth noting that the Australian Department of Home Affairs does not approve DET for visa application for students.

Score Requirements: Scores ranging from the 90-130+ range are commonly accepted by universities and colleges for both undergraduate and graduate programs. While the competitive score accepted by top-tier universities is typically within the range of 120-130+, lower colleges may accept a range of 90-100+.

To check your school, go to the “Share Score” Search section of your Duolingo account, which leads to the Official University Website at English Proficiency Requirements. For other unlisted schools, a Direct Inquiry to the Admissions Office is advised, as many schools will consider the DET results upon a student’s request to admit a good student.

Visas, Migration, and Work: Why DET May or May Not Be Accepted

• USA: High acceptance. Once the University accepts the DET for the I-20, the Visa officer accepts it for the interview for the F-1 Visa as well.
• Canada: With the discontinuation of the SDS program in late 2024, it has leveled the playing field. DET is now widely accepted for all non-SDS study permit routes.
• UK: DET is accepted by many UK universities as proof for the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). However, DET is not a “Secure English Language Test” (SELT). If you are applying for a visa for a course below degree level, you will also require IELTS for UKVI.
• Australia: Australia still has a tough policy. In Australia, although most Australian universities accept results from the DET test, the Department of Home Affairs, which grants the Australian visa, always asks students to take a center-based test, such as the PTE or IELTS, when applying for high-risk subclasses. Check the latest document checklist from the DHA.

How to Reduce Your Total Cost (Smart Strategies)

Studying abroad is expensive, but the Duolingo English Test offers several unique ways to minimize your total expenditure compared to traditional exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Use official free resources first, then upgrade strategically

• Master the Free Practice Test: Take the 15-minute practice test on the official site often. This practice test uses the same adaptive technology as the actual test and will give you a good score estimate. Wait until your practice scores fall into your target range before making a nonrefundable appointment for the $70 test.
• Leverage Unlimited Free Score Reports: Unlike other entrance exams, which cost $20 to $30 to report to a particular university, with the ‘Degree Evaluation Tool,’ you can report your scores to an unlimited number of schools for free.
• Skip “Priority Results”: Standard results take 48 hours to arrive. If your university deadline is not within 24 hours, you can skip the priority fee of $40 (NPR 5,600).
• Evaluation of the Bundle: The bundle can be purchased for $118 only if a high competitive score is a necessity, for example, 130+ and a second attempt is required. This would then cost $22 less compared to purchasing two separate tests.

Fee waivers / support programs (where applicable)

Duolingo gives out nearly 10,000 fee waivers annually through its Access Program, covering 100% of the test’s cost.

• Institutional Nomination: You are not allowed to apply individually for a waiver. You have to be nominated by the counselor or any registered educational organization.
• NGO & Scholarship Partners: EducationUSA Nepal, HALI Access Network, and UNHCR are amongst the organizations that receive annual allotments of vouchers designated for high-achieving/low-income students or refugees.
• University-Specific Vouchers: Most of the top universities, such as Yale, Stanford, or NYU, have their own pool of DET vouchers. In case you have a good profile but suffer from financial hardship, you will directly email the admissions office for a request for a fee waiver code after an initial submission of your application.

Conclusion

The first step to succeeding in your Study Abroad program is to understand the Duolingo English Test price in Nepal. For the year 2026, the affordable option of taking the Duolingo English Test, which is priced at $70 or a bundle priced at $118, still stands as the most affordable way for Nepali students to receive acceptance from thousands of universities around the world. In addition, by making the most of free practice and fee waivers, you will save even more in the process.

Are you ready to begin your journey? We suggest taking the official free practice exam at least three times before making a purchase to gauge your readiness. If this guide has been helpful to you, consider sharing it with your fellow students in Nepal who will be applying to 2026 programs!

You may want to try Duolingo English Test here

Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test (DET) And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)