Kathmandu – Passport services in Nepal will be temporarily suspended for several days as the government upgrades its existing passport issuance system to a new platform the Department of Passports under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
In a public notice, the department said the temporary suspension is necessary to facilitate the transition from the current system to the new one. The disruption will affect passport services provided by District Administration Offices, Area Administration Offices, Nepali diplomatic missions abroad and the Department of Passports.
According to the notice, passport services at district and Area Administration Offices as well as Nepali diplomatic missions overseas will remain closed for three days from July 8 to July 10.
Meanwhile, passport services provided directly by the Department of Passports will be suspended for two days from July 9 to July 10.
The department said passport services will resume under the new system from July 13 when the upgraded platform becomes fully operational.
Officials said the system upgrade is aimed at improving the delivery of passport services although no further details about the new platform were disclosed in the notice.
The Department of Passports had previously informed the public on March 11 that its services could be interrupted for several days due to the planned migration to the new system.
Applicants requiring passport services have been advised to plan accordingly, as no services will be available during the suspension period. The department has not announced any additional changes to passport application procedures beyond the temporary closure.
