Passport Services May Face Temporary Disruptions as Nepal Introduces New System

The Department of Passports under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal has announced that passport services may face temporary disruptions as it prepares to introduce a new passport system.

According to a notice issued from Kathmandu, the department has signed an agreement with a new supplier and is preparing to issue passports through a new system. During the transition from the current system to the new one, some service interruptions may occur.

The department said passport services provided by District Administration Offices and Nepali Embassies abroad could be closed for about 1 to 3 weeks during the switch. Similarly, services at the Department of Passports may be halted for around 1 week. The notice also indicates that after the new system is launched, it may take 1 to 3 months for the system to fully stabilize. During this period, passport processing and issuance may take longer than usual.

The department has therefore requested people who may need passports within the next six months to apply as early as possible before the transition period begins. The department said further updates about the new system and service arrangements will be shared through additional notices.