Short answer: To get or renew an e-passport in Nepal, fill in the official pre-enrolment form at online.nepalpassport.gov.np, book an appointment at your District Administration Office (regular service), the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu (fast-track service) or a Nepali embassy abroad, then go in person with your original citizenship certificate, National ID number and old passport for photo and fingerprints. You track progress on the Department of Passports website or the Nepal ePassport app and collect the passport from the same office.
For many Nepali travellers the passport is the first real step of a trip abroad, and it is where most avoidable delays happen: a wrong spelling on the form, a missing National ID number, a screenshot instead of the PDF, or an application made just before Dashain. This guide follows the e-passport process exactly as the Department of Passports (DoP) describes it, checked on 8 Oct 2026, and links the official portals rather than replacing them. Once your passport is in hand, our guide to the best travel destinations for Nepalese travellers is a good place to start planning.
| Quick facts | What the Department of Passports says |
|---|---|
| Official online form | online.nepalpassport.gov.np (pre-enrolment and appointment booking) |
| Status check | "Check e-passport status" box on nepalpassport.gov.np, or the official Nepal ePassport app |
| Regular service | District and Area Administration Offices, and Nepali missions abroad |
| Fast-track (urgent) service | Only at the Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu |
| Booklet sizes | 34 pages or 66 pages (both carry equal recognition) |
| Photo | Taken live at the enrolment centre; you do not bring one (except for very young children) |
| Department working hours | Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm |
| Hotline | +977 1 5970330, info@nepalpassport.gov.np |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports (nepalpassport.gov.np).
What is the Nepali e-passport?
The Nepali e-passport (विद्युतीय राहदानी) is the ordinary passport the Government of Nepal issues today. It works like the earlier machine-readable passport (MRP) but adds an electronic chip holding your personal details, photo and fingerprints, protected so they cannot be altered. Because chip data is verified through the ICAO Public Key Directory, immigration checks abroad tend to be quicker, and the passport works at automated e-gates where these are open to Nepali passport holders.
A short history helps explain the different booklets you may still see in a family drawer:
| Passport type | Period | Status today |
|---|---|---|
| Handwritten passport | Before 2010 | No longer accepted for travel (withdrawn in November 2015). If this is your only previous passport, you apply as "First Issuance" |
| Machine-readable passport (MRP) | From 2010 | Valid until the expiry date printed in it. You do not need to replace a valid MRP just to get an e-passport |
| E-passport (chip passport) | From 17 November 2021 | The passport issued now for all new and renewal applications |
In mid-July 2026 the Department moved passport issuance to a new production and data system run by a new supplier. It said the system could take up to three months to stabilise and asked people without an urgent need to wait, and early weeks saw technical problems at some district offices (The Himalayan Times, Kathmandu Post). If you are applying in October or November 2026, allow extra time and follow notices on the Department's website rather than social media.
How long is a Nepali e-passport valid?
An ordinary e-passport for an adult is valid for 10 years. Children under 10 receive a passport valid for 5 years. Nepali embassies also note that a first passport issued abroad to a child on a birth registration certificate carries 5-year validity, and the child must get a Minor Identity Card from a District Administration Office in Nepal before the next renewal.
Who needs to apply or renew?
You need to apply if you have no valid passport, if yours has expired or is close to expiry, or if it is lost, damaged, full, or carries wrong details. The option you choose on the online form decides which process you follow.
| Your situation | Option to choose on the online form |
|---|---|
| Never had an MRP or e-passport (including if you only ever had a handwritten passport) | First Issuance (New) |
| You have an MRP or e-passport and nothing in your details needs to change | Passport Renewal |
| Passport lost or stolen | Passport Replacement (Lost/Stolen) |
| Passport torn, water-damaged, pages missing, written over or otherwise unusable | Replacement (Damaged) |
| A detail must change from your current passport, or a new passport is needed because of your own mistake | Modification (Data Correction) |
| A new passport is needed because of an error by the issuing office | The same option used for the incorrect passport (no fee for official error) |
When can you renew a Nepali passport?
Passport renewal in Nepal is allowed once your current passport has less than one year of validity left. The Department of Passports also accepts an earlier application, with proof, in specific cases, including:
- the passport is old and unreadable, torn, worn out or has errors that make it unusable;
- the passport is lost;
- pages are damaged, written over, or the passport cannot be used for another special reason;
- there are not enough blank pages left;
- your surname has changed (for example after marriage or divorce);
- a minor has turned 16 and wants a new passport;
- your face has changed noticeably from the passport photo because of an accident, treatment or another reason;
- the emergency contact person's name, surname or address must change;
- a foreign employment worker's or a student's passport validity is shorter than the approved work or study period.
You do not have to renew an expired passport you do not need. But many countries and airlines expect at least six months of passport validity beyond your travel dates, so if you are inside that window, renew first and plan second. Our pre-trip checklist puts passport validity at the top for this reason.
Will my passport number change?
Yes, a renewed passport gets a new number, and the new passport records your old number. If your old booklet holds a valid visa, carry both passports and confirm with the authority of the country that issued it, as the Department notes this depends on each country's rules.
Which documents do you need?
The documents required for a passport in Nepal are short and specific: the printed application form, your original citizenship certificate, your National ID details, your current passport if you have one, and proof of fee payment. You upload scans while filling in the form, then bring the originals to your appointment.
| Document | Applying in Nepal | Applying at a Nepali mission abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Printed form with barcode and QR code (or the downloaded PDF on your phone, not a screenshot) | Required | Required |
| Original Nepali citizenship certificate, or Minor Identity Card for children | Required | Required |
| Current passport (original) | Required for renewal | Required if you have one |
| National ID card, or proof of National ID registration with number | Required for applicants aged 16 and over | Not required |
| Bank voucher or cash receipt for the fee | Required | As the mission directs |
| Additional documents (see below) | Only if your case needs them | Only if your case needs them |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports.
Is the National ID (NID) number compulsory?
Yes, for most adults applying inside Nepal. Applicants aged 16 and above who apply at the Department of Passports, a District Administration Office or an Area Administration Office must enter their National Identity Number on the form. It is not compulsory for children under 16, or for anyone applying through a Nepali embassy or consulate abroad. Missions cannot issue National ID cards; you can register for one when you are next in Nepal through the Department of National ID and Civil Registration.
Additional documents for special cases
- Date of birth differs between citizenship and education certificates: to use the education date, bring your SLC/SEE (or equivalent or higher) certificate.
- Date of birth differs from an Indian, British or Singapore pension record: bring the pension document (Discharge Certificate) and a letter from the District Administration Office referring to it.
- Married woman adding her husband's surname: marriage registration certificate and husband's citizenship certificate.
- Divorced woman keeping only the surname on her citizenship: divorce certificate.
- Address changed by migration (basai sarai): a copy of the migration certificate; a married woman updating her current address submits her marriage registration.
Documents for minors
Children apply with a Minor Identity Card (नाबालक परिचयपत्र) rather than a citizenship certificate. For a child's first application at the Department of Passports, the family also brings:
- authentication (verification) of the Minor Identity Card from the District or Area Administration Office that issued it, with the child's photo attached and the officer's signature;
- the father's and mother's citizenship certificates;
- the parents' marriage registration certificate.
Without that verification letter, the Department says a first application on a Minor Identity Card will not be accepted. If the family has moved district, the verification is done from the current district with the migration documents.
Do you need to bring a passport photo?
No. Your photo and fingerprints are taken live at the enrolment centre. The exception is babies and children under five who cannot sit still; bring a recent passport-size photo for them (embassy pages specify 35 mm x 45 mm on a white background).
The Department's photo guidance, in short:
- Small everyday jewellery (such as a nose stud) is fine if it does not shine or cover the eyes, mouth or eyebrows.
- Keep makeup light, and the Department advises against wearing tika for the photo, worth remembering at Dashain and Tihar appointments.
- A permanent tattoo or mark is fine; with a temporary wound, wait for it to heal if you can, since a photo that does not match your face can cause trouble while travelling.
How do you apply online and book an appointment?
The online passport application in Nepal is a pre-enrolment form. You fill it in yourself, choose an enrolment centre and appointment slot, upload scans, and download a PDF to bring with you. The Department recommends filling it in yourself; if someone helps, check every detail personally, because a mistake that reaches the printed passport means paying again for a new one.
- Open the official form. Go to online.nepalpassport.gov.np on a computer or phone. This is the link the Department's own "Apply for passport" button uses. Use only this government address; agents' look-alike pages are not official.
- Choose the application type. First Issuance, Renewal, Replacement (Lost/Stolen), Replacement (Damaged) or Modification (Data Correction), using the table above.
- Choose 34 or 66 pages. The Department suggests 66 pages only if you travel often and expect to run out of pages. Both have the same standing; a 66-page passport does not improve your chances of a visa.
- Choose where you will apply. Pick your District or Area Administration Office for regular service, the Department of Passports for urgent service, or your embassy if you live abroad. Then pick a date and time.
- Fill in your details step by step, matching your citizenship certificate exactly (see the field tips below).
- Upload scanned documents. Scan the originals. The Department's main instructions set a 1 MB limit per file, while another of its instruction pages says 300 KB, so keeping each scan at 300 KB or less meets both.
- Review and submit. Check everything against your documents, then click Apply.
- Download the PDF. It downloads automatically and can also be downloaded manually. Print it, or keep the original PDF on your phone. A screenshot is not accepted.
Tips for the trickiest form fields
| Field | What the Department of Passports asks for |
|---|---|
| Given name | First and middle names (everything except the surname). Letters only, no titles such as Dr., Mr. or Ms. |
| Surname | As on your citizenship certificate. Write all parts of a double surname (for example Poudel Kshetri). Drop dots: G.C. becomes GC. If you have no surname, write your given name |
| Place of birth | District name if born in Nepal; for birth abroad choose "Other" and select the country |
| Date of birth | B.S. date as on your citizenship, plus its A.D. conversion. Correct any error that appeared in a previous passport |
| Citizenship number | The box takes 14 digits. If your number is longer, drop digits from the left and keep the 14 digits on the right |
| Citizenship issue date and place | The original issue date and district, even if you later took a copy (pratilipi) from another district |
| Latest passport number | Your most recent MRP or e-passport number. Leave it blank if you only ever had a handwritten passport |
What if you cannot find an appointment slot, or need to change it?
Slots are released by each office. If none appear, the Department says it has asked offices to open more, so contact the office directly. A booked appointment cannot be changed online; if you cannot attend, contact the office with your form or fill in a new one.
If you spot a mistake after submitting, ask staff to correct it at your appointment before your photo is taken, and check again before you sign. Once the photo is taken and the form approved, nothing can be changed; a later error means the passport is cancelled and the process restarts.
Where do you give biometrics?
You give biometrics in person at the enrolment centre you chose on the form. On your appointment day, the visit follows three steps in this order: form verification, fee payment, then live enrolment, where staff take your photo and fingerprints. There is no separate biometrics office; everything happens at one counter sequence in the same building.
| Where you apply | Service offered | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| District Administration Office (DAO) or Area Administration Office (AAO) | Regular service only | Most applicants in Nepal. Apply at the office that issued your citizenship or Minor Identity Card, or at the district you have formally migrated to |
| Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu | Fast-track (urgent) service only | Anyone in Nepal who needs a passport quickly, from any district |
| Nepali embassy, consulate or permanent mission abroad | Regular service only | Nepalis living or working abroad, including NRN families and students |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports. Lists of districts and missions are on nepalpassport.gov.np.
On appointment day, bring the originals from the documents table above, plus the printed form or PDF. Applicants who are elderly, have a disability or are bringing young children can ask for help; the Department says offices have arrangements to make applying easier for them.
How long does it take, and is there a fast-track option?
A regular e-passport from a District Administration Office usually takes a few weeks, while the fast-track service at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu usually delivers within two working days. Times vary by office distance from Kathmandu, transport, and demand.
| Where you apply | Usual processing time (Department of Passports) |
|---|---|
| Department of Passports, Kathmandu (fast-track) | Within 2 working days |
| District or Area Administration Office (regular) | 10 to 30 days on one Department page, 15 to 45 days on its FAQ page |
| Nepali mission abroad (regular) | 15 to 30 days on one Department page; 15 days to 2 months on its FAQ page. Ask your mission for the current time |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports. During the 2026 system changeover some missions quote longer times; the Embassy of Nepal in London, for example, states up to 9 to 12 weeks.
How the fast-track passport service works
Fast track is not a separate passport; it is the same e-passport processed urgently. It is available only at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. District offices, area offices and missions abroad do not offer it, and the Department does not offer regular service. You select the Department as your enrolment centre on the online form, attend your appointment, and pay the regular fee plus a fast-track supplement (shown in the fee section below). For fast-track applications only, the Department also accepts online payment through its official payment portal after the form is submitted; regular applicants at a district office should not pay online. Payments are not refundable.
Timing tip for Dashain, Tihar and school holidays
October and November are peak months for Nepali families travelling abroad, and also when government offices close for Dashain and Tihar holidays. If you hope to travel over the festival break, aim to have the passport at least six to eight weeks before departure through a district office, and longer abroad. For winter school holiday trips, apply early for children too, since minors need extra documents and a parent must attend. Our first-time flight tips cover the airport side once the passport is sorted.
How do you track and collect your passport?
You track a Nepali passport application yourself, online or in the official app; offices do not give status updates by phone. You are also notified by SMS (within Nepal) or email when the passport is ready or if the application is rejected.
Ways to check passport status
- Department of Passports website: on nepalpassport.gov.np, use the "Check e-passport status" box. The detailed check asks for your citizenship number, date of birth in A.D., place of birth and surname; the Nepali page also lets you search by Reference No. or barcode from your form.
- Nepal ePassport app: the Department's official app, on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
- SMS and email: sent to the phone and email on your form when the passport is ready or if there is a problem.
If your application is rejected, contact the enrolment centre and resubmit through them with the documents they ask for. Because your photo is usually already captured, a resubmission can often move ahead without you attending in person again.
Collecting your passport
Collect the passport from the same office where you applied. Collection takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Bring:
- your application form;
- your old original passport (not needed for first-time or lost passport applications);
- your citizenship certificate;
- the fee receipt.
You should collect in person. For a minor, the mother or father collects. If you cannot attend, you may send a relative with a written authorisation; that person brings the documents above plus their own passport or citizenship certificate. Some missions abroad can post the passport back if you provide a prepaid return envelope; check your embassy's instructions.
Before leaving the counter, check the name spelling, date and place of birth, and sex. An office printing error is fixed free; a new passport needed because of your own mistake costs the same as a new application. Then store a photo of the data page safely; our list of useful travel apps includes options for keeping document copies offline.
What if your passport is lost or damaged?
If a Nepali passport is lost or stolen, contact the Department of Passports or an application centre straight away so it can be cancelled, then apply for a replacement through the same online form by choosing "Passport Replacement (Lost/Stolen)". The Department of Passports reports cancelled passports to INTERPOL, so a lost passport can never be used again, even if you find it later.
Lost or stolen passport: step by step
- Report the loss. Contact the Department of Passports or an application centre so the lost passport is cancelled and cannot be misused.
- Find your old passport details. If you have no copy, or the copy is unreadable, the Department of Passports or the original registration centre can give you the details of the lost passport.
- Fill in the online form and choose Replacement (Lost/Stolen). The full new-passport process applies, at the higher lost or damaged fee.
- Attend your appointment for verification, payment and biometrics, as for any application.
Inside Nepal, the Department says you do not need to publish a notice in a newspaper or get a police report before applying. Some missions abroad do ask for a local police report, so check your embassy's page if you lose a passport overseas.
If you find the old passport after receiving a new one, have the issuing office cancel it. Travelling on a passport reported lost can lead to action under the destination country's immigration rules, and the Department's homepage repeats that such a passport must not be used even if recovered.
Damaged passport
Torn or missing pages, water damage, writing over pages or any other reason the booklet cannot be used counts as damaged. Choose "Replacement (Damaged)"; the fee matches the lost fee, and replacement is free if the damage was an official error.
What is an emergency passport and who can get one?
Nepal does not issue a separate document called an "emergency passport". What people usually mean is one of three official routes, depending on where they are and how urgent the need is.
| Option | Where | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast-track e-passport | Department of Passports, Kathmandu | A normal e-passport issued urgently, usually within 2 working days | Anyone in Nepal who needs a passport quickly for work, study, medical treatment or a family emergency |
| Temporary passport (अस्थायी राहदानी) | Nepali missions abroad | A handwritten passport for someone who has applied for an e-passport at the mission and needs a document urgently | Nepalis abroad waiting for an e-passport. It generally cannot be used for international travel, but it can be used to return to Nepal and, in some countries, to lodge applications with local authorities |
| One-way travel document | Nepali missions abroad | A document to travel back to Nepal when you have no passport | Nepalis abroad who have lost their passport or have none and need to come home |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports FAQ. Each mission sets its own procedure for temporary passports and travel documents.
Two points from the Department's FAQ often surprise families. A relative in Nepal cannot apply on behalf of someone abroad who needs a passport urgently. And if you applied at a mission but had to return to Nepal first, you can ask the embassy to have the passport issued from the Department in Kathmandu; you then collect it in person with the embassy's recommendation letter, your citizenship certificate, old passport or travel document, and the receipt.
Applying from abroad: notes for NRN families and students
Nepalis living abroad apply at the Nepali mission in their country of residence (or the mission accredited to it) using the same online form. Each mission sets its own local-currency fee, payment method and appointment rules, so read your embassy's passport page first. Key differences:
- A National ID number is not required when applying through a mission.
- Missions provide regular service only; there is no fast track abroad.
- Some missions first verify your citizenship copy with your District Administration Office in Nepal, which adds time.
- Children born abroad: there is no Minor Identity Card, so the embassy issues a birth registration or temporary number to write in the citizenship field. The embassy asks for both parents' citizenship and passport copies, the parents' marriage registration, the child's original birth registration and two recent passport-size photos. After the first passport, the child must get a Minor Identity Card from the relevant District or Area Administration Office in Nepal before the next renewal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Nepali missions and their accreditation on mofa.gov.np, and the Department's mission list is linked from nepalpassport.gov.np.
How much does a Nepali passport cost? (official fee table)
The Department of Passports publishes a single national fee table for passports issued in Nepal. The fee depends on the booklet size, the applicant's age, and whether it is a new or renewal application or a lost or damaged replacement. Fast-track service at the Department adds a supplement on top of the regular fee. Fees at missions abroad are set in local currency by each mission and are not shown here.
| Application type | 34 pages | 66 pages |
|---|---|---|
| New or renewal (adult, and children aged 10 and above) | NPR 12,000 | NPR 20,000 |
| New or renewal (minor under 10) | NPR 9,500 | NPR 14,500 |
| Lost, or damaged (torn pages, written over, or otherwise unusable) | NPR 17,000 | NPR 25,000 |
| Lost or damaged (minor under 10) | NPR 14,500 | NPR 19,500 |
| Official error by the issuing office | Free | Free |
| Fast-track supplement (Department of Passports, Kathmandu only) | 34 pages | 66 pages |
|---|---|---|
| Added on top of the regular fee above | NPR 7,000 | NPR 10,000 |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Department of Passports (nepalpassport.gov.np, "Revenue for passport" and "If you are in Nepal" pages). Fees can change; confirm on the Department's website before you pay.
How to pay: at the enrolment centre through the bank, online or digital methods the office specifies; online payment through the Department's portal is for fast-track applications only, and a payment operator may add its own service charge. Only the official fee applies; any extra "processing fee" is a private agent's charge, not a government one.
After the passport: what to do next
With a valid e-passport in hand, the next steps are entry rules and planning. Entry requirements depend on your passport and destination and change often, so always check the official government portal of the country you are visiting rather than relying on forums. For a first international trip from Kathmandu, many Nepali travellers start with nearby, well-connected destinations; our Thailand travel guide, Malaysia travel guide and Singapore travel guide are good starting points, and the Vietnam or Thailand comparison helps if you are deciding between two. If you prefer to have someone handle the bookings, our explainer on choosing a travel agency in Nepal covers what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for an e-passport in Nepal?
To apply for an e-passport in Nepal, fill in the pre-enrolment form at online.nepalpassport.gov.np, choose your office and appointment, upload scans and download the PDF. On the day, bring your original citizenship, National ID number and old passport for verification, fee payment, photo and fingerprints, then collect from the same office.
Which documents are needed for a passport in Nepal?
For a passport in Nepal you need the printed application form with barcode, your original citizenship certificate (or Minor Identity Card), your National ID or NID registration proof if you are 16 or over, your current passport for renewal, and the fee receipt. Extra documents apply for surname changes, migration or date-of-birth differences.
Can I renew my passport online in Nepal?
Passport renewal in Nepal starts online but cannot be completed online. You fill in the form and book an appointment at online.nepalpassport.gov.np, then attend in person so staff can verify documents, take your photo and fingerprints. You can renew once less than one year of validity remains, or earlier for reasons such as full pages.
How long does a Nepali passport take?
A Nepali passport takes about two working days through the fast-track service at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu. Through a District Administration Office the Department quotes roughly 10 to 45 days, and through a mission abroad from 15 days to 2 months. Allow extra time during the 2026 system changeover and festival holidays.
Is there a fast-track passport service in Nepal?
Yes. Nepal's fast-track passport service is available only at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, and usually issues the e-passport within two working days. It costs the regular fee plus a supplement. District offices, area offices and embassies abroad offer regular service only.
Can I apply for a Nepali passport from a district office?
Yes. Regular Nepali passport applications are made at District or Area Administration Offices, normally the office that issued your citizenship or Minor Identity Card. If you have formally migrated to another district, you can apply there. You can also apply at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu from any district, but only for fast-track service.
Can NRNs renew a Nepali passport at an embassy?
Yes. Nepalis abroad, including NRNs who still hold Nepali citizenship, renew at the Nepali mission in their country of residence using the same online form. A National ID number is not required abroad. Fees, payment and appointment rules are set by each mission, and there is no fast-track service outside Kathmandu.
How do I track my passport application in Nepal?
Track a Nepal passport application on nepalpassport.gov.np using the "Check e-passport status" box, which asks for citizenship number, date of birth, place of birth and surname, or in the official Nepal ePassport app. You also get an SMS or email when it is ready. Offices do not give status updates by phone.
Is a machine-readable passport (MRP) still valid in Nepal?
Yes. A Nepali machine-readable passport stays valid until its printed expiry date, and you can travel on it. The Department of Passports says you do not need an e-passport while your MRP is valid. You can apply for an e-passport when less than one year of validity remains, or earlier if it is lost, damaged or full.
Passport kasari banaune (how do I make a passport in Nepal)?
To make a passport in Nepal, fill in the online form on online.nepalpassport.gov.np, book a date at your district office or the Department of Passports, and go in person with your original citizenship, National ID and the printed form. Pay the fee, give your photo and fingerprints, then collect the passport when you get the SMS or email.
What is an emergency passport in Nepal?
Nepal has no separate emergency passport. In Nepal, the urgent route is the fast-track e-passport at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu, usually within two working days. Abroad, a Nepali mission can issue a handwritten temporary passport to someone awaiting an e-passport, or a one-way travel document to return to Nepal.
Where is the official online passport form for Nepal?
The official online passport form for Nepal is at online.nepalpassport.gov.np, the address the Department of Passports links from its "Apply for passport" button. Use only this government site to fill in the pre-enrolment form and book your appointment. Any site asking for a fee to fill in the form is a private service.
