Sajilai

Paying for a Rental with eSewa, Khalti, Fonepay or a Bank App

How QR payments for rentals work in Nepal with eSewa, Khalti, Fonepay or a bank app, how paying works on Sajilai, and how to avoid paying the wrong person.

In Nepal, most people now pay for everyday things by scanning a QR code with a phone. Paying for a vehicle rental works the same way. This guide explains how QR payments work in general, how paying for a booking works on Sajilai, and a few habits that keep your money safe.

How QR payments work in Nepal

A merchant's QR code holds their payment details. When you scan it with a digital wallet such as eSewa or Khalti, or with your bank's mobile banking app, the app shows you who you are paying and asks you to confirm the amount. You approve it with your PIN or fingerprint, the money moves and both sides get a confirmation.

Many shops display a Fonepay QR. Fonepay is a payment network that links many banks and wallets, so you can often pay a Fonepay QR from a wallet or a bank app. Nepal Rastra Bank has also pushed wallets, banks and QR networks to work with each other. In practice, most common apps can pay most common QR codes, but not every app reads every code. If your app does not recognise a code, try another wallet or your bank app.

Some QR codes are static and only carry the merchant's details, so you type the amount yourself. Others are dynamic and carry the amount and a reference too, so there is nothing to type.

Visiting from abroad? Most Nepali wallets and bank apps need a local phone number and account. Check how you will pay before you book, not at pickup.

How paying works on Sajilai

When a business accepts your booking, you pay through the booking itself.

  • Open your booking. The business's QR code is shown there, with the amount and the booking reference already built in.
  • Scan it with eSewa, Khalti, a Fonepay-enabled app or your bank app.
  • Check the merchant name and the amount on your phone, then confirm the payment.
  • Take a screenshot of the successful payment screen.
  • Upload the screenshot to the booking.
  • The business checks the payment against their account and approves it.
  • Once it is approved, you can download a receipt from the booking.

The important point is step 6. A payment only counts once the business has approved it. Until then, the booking is not treated as paid. This protects both sides: you have proof that you paid, and the business confirms that the money actually arrived before treating the booking as paid.

If a payment stays unapproved for longer than you would expect, contact the business and give them the transaction ID.

Before you press pay

A few seconds of checking prevents most problems.

  • Check the merchant name. Your app shows who you are paying before you confirm. Make sure it matches the business you booked with. If it shows a different name, stop and ask.
  • Check the amount. It should match the amount on your booking. If it does not, do not pay until you know why.
  • Check your balance or limit. Wallets and bank apps have daily and per-transaction limits. A larger payment may fail if you are close to one.
  • Use a stable connection. If the app times out, do not pay again straight away. Check your transaction history first, so you do not pay twice.

Keep a record

Your payment app gives every transaction an ID. Keep it. It is the quickest way for the business, your bank or your wallet provider to trace a payment.

  • Keep the screenshot you uploaded, not just the copy in the booking.
  • Note the transaction ID, the date and the amount.
  • Download the receipt once the payment is approved.
  • If a payment left your account but the business cannot see it, contact your wallet or bank with the transaction ID.

Never pay outside the booking

The most common way people lose money on rentals anywhere is by paying someone who is not the business, or by paying in a way that leaves no record. Keep every payment inside the booking.

  • Do not pay a QR code sent to you by message, social media or email. Use the one in your booking.
  • Do not send money to a personal number because someone says the usual QR is not working.
  • Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay extra to secure a booking or skip a step.
  • If something feels wrong, stop and [contact us](/contact) before you pay.

A business on Sajilai has no reason to ask you to pay outside the booking. If one does, treat it as a warning sign.

In short

Scan the QR in your booking, check the name and amount, pay, upload the screenshot and wait for the business to approve it. Keep the transaction ID until the rental is over and your deposit is settled. For the rules that apply to every booking, see our [terms](/terms).