E-Passport in Nepal: Online Pre-Enrolment, Fees, Documents & Collection Guide

Nepal introduced the biometric e-passport on 17 November 2021, replacing the older Machine-Readable Passport (MRP). Issued by the Department of Passports (DoPassport) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepal e-passport carries an embedded contactless chip compliant with ICAO Doc 9303 — the global biometric standard — storing the holder's photograph, fingerprint data and personal details. By 2026 (FY 2082/83) every district administration office across all 77 districts accepts biometric pre-enrolment, and the online form at nepalpassport.gov.np has reduced counter time dramatically. This guide explains every step of applying, renewing and collecting the Nepal e-passport — with fees, processing times, required documents and legal citations to the Passport Act, 2076 and Passport Rules, 2077.

What Is an E-Passport and How Is It Different from the MRP?

The e-passport is a "second-generation" biometric passport. Externally it looks like the old burgundy Nepali passport; internally, it carries a radio-frequency chip embedded into the data page. The chip is encrypted and can be read only by accredited border-control systems. Key differences from the discontinued MRP:

Nepal's e-passport contract was signed with IDEMIA (France) in 2021. The booklet is printed and personalised at the secure Narayanhiti facility and the data is stored on a dedicated government server within Nepal.

Legal Basis: Passport Act, 2076 and Passport Rules, 2077

The current framework is set by two instruments, both published on lawcommission.gov.np:

• Passport Act, 2076 (2019) — the principal statute. Section 3 recognises three passport types: (i) diplomatic, (ii) official, and (iii) ordinary. Section 4 entitles every Nepali citizen to an ordinary passport. Sections 15–18 list offences (forgery, dual passport, impersonation) with imprisonment of up to 5 years and fines up to NPR 5 lakh.

• Passport Rules, 2077 (2020) — the subordinate rules prescribing application procedure, biometric capture, fee schedule, validity, and renewal.

The Department of Passports (DoPassport) at Narayanhiti, Kathmandu is the issuing authority. Outside Kathmandu Valley, applications are accepted at the District Administration Office (DAO) of each district; biometric data is collected there and forwarded to Narayanhiti for personalisation.

Who Can Apply for a Nepal E-Passport?

Any Nepali citizen may apply for an ordinary e-passport. Eligibility splits by age:

Documents Required for the Nepal E-Passport

For a fresh ordinary e-passport (adult):

1. Original Nepali citizenship certificate + one photocopy.

2. Completed online pre-enrolment form printed from nepalpassport.gov.np.

3. Original bank voucher (Rastra Bank or authorised bank) for the fee paid.

4. Two recent passport-size colour photographs (35 × 45 mm, white background — although live photo is taken at the counter, the physical form still asks for them).

5. Old passport (if renewing or transitioning from MRP).

For a minor (below 18):

• Birth certificate (janma darta) in original + photocopy.

• Both parents' citizenship certificates in original + photocopy.

• Both parents must appear physically at biometric capture (or single parent with court-order sole-guardianship documentation).

• Recommendation letter from the ward office for child identification.

Fees for the Nepal E-Passport (2026)

Fees for Nepalis abroad are collected in US dollars at the local embassy/consulate:

Exact fee notifications are published by MoFA on mofa.gov.np and by DoPassport on nepalpassport.gov.np. Bank voucher is collected at designated Rastra Bank counters (Narayanhiti, Tripureshwar, and the DAO bank branch outside the Valley).

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1 — Online Pre-Enrolment

Visit nepalpassport.gov.np and select "Online Application". Fill in:

• Citizenship number, issue district, issue date.

• Full name (as in citizenship), date of birth (AD), sex, father's/mother's name, spouse's name (if married).

• Permanent address and temporary address.

• Booklet type (34 or 66 page), processing type (regular or fast-track).

• Collection centre (DoPassport Narayanhiti, or a specific DAO).

The system generates a printable form with a unique application number. Keep this form and number safe — you need them at the biometric counter.

Step 2 — Pay the Fee at the Bank

Carry the form to the designated bank (Nepal Rastra Bank at DoPassport, or the bank counter at your DAO) and pay the applicable fee. Retain the original voucher.

Step 3 — Biometric Capture at DoPassport or DAO

Visit the chosen centre with: printed form, bank voucher, citizenship (original + photocopy), old passport if any, two photographs. At the counter the officer verifies your documents, captures your face photo, fingerprints (index fingers) and signature, and issues an acknowledgement slip.

Step 4 — Collection

Return on the date printed on the acknowledgement slip (3 working days for fast-track, 11–15 working days for regular) and collect the e-passport in person. If applying outside Kathmandu Valley through a DAO, the passport is couriered from Narayanhiti to the DAO for collection — add 2–3 working days in transit.

E-Passport for Nepalis Abroad

Nepal operates e-passport issuance through all diplomatic missions. Key embassies / consulates with biometric enrolment capability include:

• Gulf — Doha, Abu Dhabi/Dubai, Riyadh/Jeddah, Muscat, Kuwait City, Manama.

• Asia — New Delhi, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong SAR.

• Europe & Americas — London, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Geneva, Washington D.C., New York (Consulate General).

• Australia — Canberra; honorary consul services in Sydney and Melbourne.

Process abroad is identical — pre-enrol online, pay in US dollars at the embassy, enrol biometrics, collect. Processing time is typically 4–8 weeks because data is transmitted to Kathmandu for personalisation and couriered back to the mission.

Lost, Damaged or Stolen Passport

1. File a First Information Report (FIR) at the nearest police station (where lost) and obtain a police report.

2. Publish a notice in a national daily newspaper declaring the loss (Gorkhapatra or Kathmandu Post) — Passport Rule 20.

3. Apply for a replacement online at nepalpassport.gov.np, select "Lost Passport", and upload the FIR and newspaper notice.

4. Pay the replacement fee (NPR 10,000 first time, NPR 15,000 repeat) and complete biometric capture at DoPassport or DAO.

5. Abroad, the Nepali embassy/consulate issues a travel document for emergency return and a replacement e-passport in parallel.

Renewal Before Expiry

You can apply for renewal any time within 6 months of expiry and up to 5 years after expiry. After 5 years, the old record is re-verified before a new number is issued. The process is the same as a fresh application — pre-enrol online, pay, enrol biometrics. The old passport is cancelled at the counter and returned with corner cut.

Notarised / Attested Copy of E-Passport for Visa Applications

For visa and embassy filings, many authorities require a notarised copy of the passport — a photocopy of the data page attested by a Nepal Notary Council licensed notary under the Notary Public Act 2063. For foreign use, this can be further authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (legalization) or the Ministry of Law (Hague apostille, since 2024). Start with our guides:

• Certification of Documents in Nepal

• Apostille of Documents in Nepal

• Legalization of Documents in Nepal

Common Reasons an E-Passport Application Is Delayed

• Name or date of birth mismatch between online form and citizenship.

• Photograph that fails ICAO quality check (blurry, uneven lighting, glasses, hair covering face).

• Missing minor's parent or absent ward recommendation.

• Bank voucher number not linked to the online application number.

• Pending criminal case or travel hold order from a court (a "lookout notice" blocks passport issuance until the court lifts it).

Offences and Penalties under the Passport Act, 2076

Contact

Department of Passports — Narayanhiti, Kathmandu. Phone 01-4416011 / 01-4416012. Web nepalpassport.gov.np. For policy questions, MoFA at mofa.gov.np.