Nepal Passport Cost 2026 โ e-Passport Fee, Renewal Process, Documents & Insider Tips
Complete 2026 guide to Nepal’s e-passport fees, step-by-step renewal process, appointment booking tricks, photo rules, common rejection reasons, and everything the official website forgets to tell you โ researched from the Department of Passports, Nepal.
๐ฐ Nepal Passport Fee 2026 โ All Categories
Nepal’s e-passport comes in two sizes (34-page and 66-page) and two processing speeds (normal and fast-track). Fees are the same whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing. The Department of Passports does not technically “renew” a passport โ you apply for a new one in its place.
Available at all 77 District Offices
Recommended for frequent travelers
Only at Dept. HQ, Tripureshwor
Only at Dept. HQ, Tripureshwor
| Scenario | Fee | Processing Time | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34-page, normal | Rs. 5,000 | 4โ6 weeks | Any District Admin Office or Tripureshwor HQ |
| 66-page, normal | Rs. 10,000 | 4โ6 weeks | Any District Admin Office or Tripureshwor HQ |
| 34-page, fast-track | Rs. 12,000 | 3โ4 business days | Tripureshwor HQ only |
| 66-page, fast-track | Rs. 20,000 | 3โ4 business days | Tripureshwor HQ only |
| Same-day processing | Rs. 15,000 | Same day | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) only |
| Next-day processing | Rs. 12,000 | Next working day | Tripureshwor HQ only |
| Lost/damaged passport (replacement) | Rs. 10,000โ25,000 | Varies | Tripureshwor HQ + police FIR required |
| Child (under 16, 34-page) | Rs. 5,000 | 4โ6 weeks | Any office (parent must accompany) |
๐ Types of Nepal Passport
| Type | Cover Color | Who Gets It | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (e-Passport) | Chocolate Brown | All Nepali citizens | Rs. 5,000โ20,000 |
| Official | Navy Blue | Government officials on duty | Free |
| Diplomatic | Crimson Red | Diplomats and their dependents | Free |
| Travel Document (Emergency) | โ | Nepalis stranded abroad with no passport | Varies by embassy |
All ordinary e-passports are valid for 10 years from the date of issue. You should apply for renewal when your passport has less than 6 months validity remaining โ many countries refuse entry if your passport expires within 6 months of your travel date.
๐ How to Apply for Nepal e-Passport 2026 โ Step by Step
- Prepare Your National ID Number (NIN) โ Mandatory
As of 2025, NIN (National Identity Number) is compulsory for all new e-passport applications in Nepal (except those applying through Nepali missions abroad in some cases). Apply for your NID at donidcr.gov.np first if you don’t have one.
- Fill Online Application at nepalpassport.gov.np
Visit emrtds.nepalpassport.gov.np โ Click “Apply for Passport” โ Choose: First Issuance or Renewal. Select 34-page or 66-page. Critical: Change your device time zone to “Kathmandu” before filling the form โ appointment slots are in Nepal Standard Time. You have 30 minutes to complete the form before session expires.
- Book Appointment Date & Office
Appointment slots open 45 days in advance and fill up fast โ especially at Tripureshwor. Book early mornings when new slots release. Choose your nearest District Administration Office or Tripureshwor HQ depending on urgency.
- Pay the Fee via Bank Voucher
Payment is made at designated banks (Rastriya Banijya Bank, Agricultural Development Bank, or others listed on the portal). Get a bank voucher/receipt. Online payment options are being expanded โ check the portal for current options.
- Visit Office on Appointment Day with Documents
Arrive 30 minutes early. Long queues are common โ Mondays and post-holiday days are the worst. Bring all originals + photocopies.
- Biometric Capture
Both thumbprints, digital photo (taken at office โ no need to bring photos), and digital signature captured at the counter. The officer verifies your citizenship against the database.
- Receive SMS When Passport is Ready
You get an SMS when your passport is printed and ready for collection. Normal processing: 4โ6 weeks (sometimes longer during Dashain, Tihar, and pre-departure migration peaks). Fast-track: 3โ4 business days.
๐ Nepal Passport Renewal 2026 โ Same Process, One Extra Step
Nepal does not technically “renew” passports โ you apply for a new e-passport to replace the expiring or expired one. The process is identical to a first application with one difference: you must submit your old passport at the office counter.
Documents for Renewal
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original old passport | Must be submitted; you get it back with “cancelled” stamp when new one is issued |
| Nepali Citizenship Certificate (original + photocopy) | Both sides required |
| National ID Number (NIN) | Mandatory as of 2025 |
| Printed online application form | With appointment details |
| Bank payment voucher | Proof of fee payment |
| Marriage certificate (if surname changed) | Plus migration certificate if address differs from citizenship |
๐จ Lost Passport in Nepal โ What to Do
- File Police FIR
Go to the nearest police station and file a First Information Report (FIR) about the lost passport. Get an official FIR copy โ this is mandatory for the replacement application.
- Publish Notice in a National Daily Newspaper
Publish a notice declaring the passport lost in a national newspaper (Gorkhapatra, Kantipur, etc.). Keep the newspaper clipping โ required for submission.
- Apply Online as “Replacement (Lost/Stolen)”
Apply at emrtds.nepalpassport.gov.np selecting “Replacement (Lost/Stolen)”. Higher fees apply: Rs. 10,000โ25,000 depending on pages and processing speed.
- Submit Additional Documents
FIR copy, newspaper clipping, photocopy of lost passport (if available), and standard documents (citizenship, NIN, bank voucher).
โ๏ธ Nepal Passport Renewal Abroad โ Through Embassy
Nepali citizens living abroad can renew their passport through the nearest Nepali Embassy or Consulate without returning to Nepal. Processing typically takes 6โ8 weeks from the date of biometrics at the embassy. Standard embassy renewal (USA): $150 USD regular, $225 USD for lost/damaged.
๐ก Insider Tips โ What the Official Website Doesn’t Tell You
๐ฅ Proven Tips from Real Applicants (May 2026)
- Midnight slot trick: New appointment slots at Tripureshwor open at midnight Nepal time. Set an alarm and book at 12:00 AM for best availability โ slots fill within minutes on weekday mornings.
- Name must be pixel-perfect: Your name in the online form must match your citizenship certificate exactly โ including spaces. A single character difference causes rejection at the counter. You cannot correct it after registration; you must create a new account with a new email.
- Photo background is white, not off-white: The officer may reject if the background isn’t pure white. Don’t worry โ photos are taken at the office. But if you bring your own (some offices accept), use pure white background with both ears visible.
- Don’t go on Mondays: Mondays and the day after public holidays have 400+ person queues at Tripureshwor by 9 AM. TuesdayโThursday are best.
- Peak delay season: Applications slow to 6โ10 weeks during DashainโTihar (OctโNov) and pre-migration peaks (MayโJune). Apply at least 3 months before your travel date.
- District office vs Kathmandu HQ: District offices often have shorter queues and same processing time. If you’re in Pokhara, Biratnagar, or Chitwan โ apply locally and save the trip to Kathmandu.
- NID first, then passport: Without your NIN (National ID Number), the online form will reject you. Get your NID at donidcr.gov.np before starting the passport process.
- Keep old passport: Even after renewal, keep your cancelled old passport. It contains valid visas that may still be honoured for entry into some countries โ always check with the destination embassy.