KATHMANDU, MARCH 13 The Department of Passports has warned that passport services across the country and at Nepali missions abroad may face temporary disruptions as the government prepares to shift to a new passport issuance system. The department said it has already completed necessary preparations, including procuring passport booklets and upgrading the passport system through a new supplier agreement. In a notice issued on Thursday, the department said the switch from the current system to the new system is expected within the next one to two months. During the transition period, passport services provided by district and area administration offices and Nepali missions abroad may remain suspended for one to three weeks. Similarly, services provided directly by the department in Kathmandu could be halted for around one week, according to the notice. The department further stated that even after the new system is implemented, system stabilisation may take between one and three months, which could result in longer processing times for passport applications submitted through district administration offices or Nepali missions overseas. The department has therefore urged citizens who may require passports within the next six months (before mid-October 2026) to apply and obtain their passports before the transition period begins. The department said the exact date for launching the new system and arrangements during the transition period will be announced through a separate notice.