Nepal's Department of Passports Nears Launch of New Issuance System, Service Disruptions Possible

The Department of Passports has announced that preparations for issuing passports through a new system are in the final stages. The department informed that it has signed an agreement with a new supplier for passport procurement and has completed the necessary preparations, including the new passport system and passport booklets.

According to the department, the currently operational system will be transitioned to the new system within the next one to two months. It was stated that during this transition, there is a possibility that passport services may be affected for some time due to the interim phase until the system stabilizes.

According to a notice issued on Thursday, passport services provided through District and Area Administration Offices and Nepali missions abroad may be suspended for one to three weeks. Furthermore, services provided by the Department of Passports may be suspended for about one week.

The department stated that since it may take one to three months for the new system to become fully stable after implementation, during that period, applicants applying through District/Area Administration Offices and Nepali missions abroad might experience longer processing times for passport preparation and issuance compared to the current situation.

Considering this situation, the department has urged service seekers who require a passport within the next six months (by Ashoj 2083 BS) to obtain passport services from the respective District or Area Administration Office, Nepali mission abroad, or the Department of Passports before the interim phase begins.

The Department of Passports has announced that further information regarding the date of implementation of the new system and the arrangements to be adopted during the interim period will be made public through a subsequent notice.