KATHMANDU, JULY 29
The Department of Passport (DoP) has signed a formal agreement with Veridos GmbH, a leading German identity solutions provider, to supply, deliver, and personalize electronic passports (e-passports) for Nepal. The contract was signed today in Kathmandu, marking a significant milestone in Nepal's transition to a modern biometric passport system.
Veridos, a joint venture between Giesecke+Devrient and the German Federal Government, will begin supplying e-passport booklets by March 2026 - one month ahead of the originally scheduled delivery timeline.
Under the agreement, Veridos will implement Package 2 of the Department of Passport's global tender, which includes the end-to-end supply, delivery, and personalization of e-passport booklets. The deal is expected to significantly enhance the security, quality, and efficiency of Nepal's passport issuance infrastructure.
The contract was signed today by Fabiola Bellersheim, Vice President for Sales in Asia at Veridos, and Director General Tirtha Raj Aryal on behalf of the Department of Passport.
Speaking to The Himalayan Times after the signing ceremony, Bellersheim expressed her confidence in the project's timely execution. "We are delighted to be delivering e-passports to Nepal by March 2026. I am proud to have finally signed the contract despite the various delays that were intended to disrupt the process. I am confident that we will deliver this project successfully, showcasing the German competence and reliability we are known for," she said.
Veridos brings extensive experience in the South Asian region. In Bangladesh, the company has established a state-of-the-art passport assembly plant and also manages the country's national immigration system, supporting seamless travel and border management. Additionally, in Sri Lanka, Veridos is currently implementing border control solutions funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), further strengthening regional security and mobility infrastructure.
The partnership is seen as a strategic win for both parties - for Nepal, it signals a transition toward secure, ICAO-compliant travel documents, and for Veridos, it marks another key contract in South Asia amid rising demand for trusted identity and border solutions.
The Department of Passport expects the new e-passport system to improve data security, reduce processing times, and offer greater convenience for citizens at home and abroad.
