Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Department of Passports Nepal has reached the final stage of preparations to launch a new passport issuance system, warning that passport distribution services may be temporarily affected during the transition period.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the department said it has already completed major technical preparations, including signing an agreement with a new supplier for passport systems and booklets. The new platform is expected to modernize Nepal’s passport issuance infrastructure and improve overall service delivery.
However, officials said the process of switching from the existing system to the new digital platform could temporarily disrupt services over the coming one to two months.
According to the department, passport services provided through district administration offices, area administration offices, and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad may remain suspended for one to three weeks during the transition period. Meanwhile, services directly provided by the Department of Passports in Kathmandu could be halted for approximately one week.
Authorities explained that once the new system is activated, it may take one to three months for the platform to stabilize fully, which means the processing time for passport issuance could temporarily increase compared with current timelines.
The department has therefore urged citizens who will need passports within the next six months — by mid-October 2026 — to submit their applications before the transition period begins in order to avoid delays.
Officials said the exact launch date of the new passport system will be announced through a separate notice once the final technical arrangements are completed.
The modernization initiative is part of Nepal’s broader efforts to upgrade public service delivery, strengthen digital governance, and enhance the security and efficiency of passport issuance, which has seen rising demand due to increasing numbers of Nepali migrant workers, international students, tourists, and global travelers.
The Department of Passports processes hundreds of thousands of passport applications annually as outbound labor migration and international mobility continue to play a significant role in Nepal’s economy, remittance inflows, and global workforce participation.
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