KATHMANDU: Department of Passports (DoP) has urged applicants to seek passports only in urgent cases amid a transitional phase in e-passport production as a new supplier takes over electronic passport services.
Officials at the DoP stated that preparatory work to develop new infrastructure and systems is underway following the signing of a procurement agreement with a new supplier in July 2025. The handover between the outgoing and incoming suppliers, combined with high public demand and limited availability of passport booklets, has temporarily constrained passport issuance.
DoP Director General Tirtha Raj Aryal said they are taking measures to prevent a shortage of passports during the transition and is committed to minimising inconvenience to applicants.
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To manage urgent demand, only 1,000 online appointment slots will be available daily from 5 PM on 31 October 2025, excluding the day before public holidays. “We have requested all concerned to apply for passports only if absolutely essential until further notice,” Aryal told Republica.
Earlier in July, the DoP awarded the new e-passport contract to two German companies—Veridos GmbH and Muehlbauer ID Service GmbH—ending the 15-year service of the French firm IDEMIA. The contract includes implementation of the eMRTDS system, covering pre-enrolment, enrolment, data management and delivery, with the first consignment due within 240 days of contract signing.
The DoP said new infrastructure and system development are in progress under the agreement, with full passport services expected to resume from February 23, 2026. During the transition period, challenges in passport distribution have arisen due to the handover process, limited booklet availability and high public demand.
The DoP also cautioned against approaching unauthorised individuals or middlemen for passport services, warning of potential fraud. Applicants are encouraged to contact the DoP directly through official telephone lines, email or the designated WhatsApp channel for information, complaints, or assistance.
