KATHMANDU, July 29: Nepal’s Department of Passports (DoP) has increased its electronic passport (e-passport) production capacity to around 1,500 passports per day in response to a surge in demand, particularly from Nepalis seeking employment in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said it has been continuously upgrading its service system and production capacity to provide faster, safer, and more efficient e-passport services.
According to the department, demand for e-passports has risen significantly over the past week, prompting efforts to further expand production and ensure timely delivery of passports.
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The department attributed the increase largely to the growing number of Nepalis applying for jobs in South Korea through the EPS, as well as rising demand for passports for foreign employment, higher education, travel, medical treatment, and other overseas purposes.
E-passport services are currently available through all 77 District Administration Offices, selected Area Administration Offices, and Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Nepal officially launched its e-passport system on November 17, 2021. In the initial stage, the department was issuing only about 100 e-passports per day, with applicants often waiting more than two weeks to receive their documents. The current production capacity of around 1,500 passports daily marks a significant improvement, the department said.
It added that technical issues encountered during the rollout of the modern e-passport system are being addressed on a priority basis. The department aims to resolve existing technical problems within one month and fully stabilize the system within three months through ongoing technical and administrative improvements.
To manage increasing demand, the department said it is coordinating closely with district administration offices, area administration offices, and Nepali missions abroad while continuing to prioritize applicants requiring passports for urgent reasons such as foreign employment, education, medical treatment, and family emergencies.
The department also urged the public to apply for passports during the three-month stabilization period only if urgently necessary, while reaffirming its commitment to improving service delivery and addressing public concerns.
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