KATHMANDU, JULY 13
Nepal's Department of Passport has launched a new passport service delivery system, with operations beginning today, marking what the department describes as the country's largest-ever data migration in passport management history.
The department said passport data for nearly one crore Nepali citizens has been securely transferred to the new system, which introduces a new passport production and management platform aimed at making services faster, more reliable, and more accessible.
The department also acknowledged that some technical challenges, slowdowns in the system, and delays in passport distribution may occur during the initial days following the go-live, describing such issues as normal during the early phase of any large-scale system transition. It said technical teams from the department, its staff, and the system development company are on 24-hour standby to monitor, test, and resolve issues on a continuous basis, and assured the public that the department is fully capable of addressing both immediate and long-term concerns.
The department has urged applicants who do not urgently need passport services to hold off on applying during this initial stabilisation period, which is expected to last up to three months. Those whose passports have expired or whose renewal is overdue may apply through their local district administration office, the department itself, or through Nepali missions abroad as before.
The department also requested the public to rely only on information issued through official channels, its website or formal ministry communications, and not only on unverified reports or social media posts regarding passport services.