KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said the technical problems encountered following the rollout of the new passport system will be resolved gradually, after which passport services are expected to operate smoothly.
Speaking at the ministry’s regular press briefing on Friday, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said the ministry and the Department of Passports remain committed to providing passport services to Nepali citizens in a convenient and efficient manner.
He said live passport applications under the new system have been accepted since July 13, and a total of 8,260 passports have been printed so far.
Passport applications are currently accepted through the Department of Passports, all 77 District Administration Offices, six Area Administration Offices and 31 Nepali diplomatic missions abroad. Of those missions, eight are also equipped to receive online passport applications around the clock.
Paudel said the new system is still in its stabilization phase, making occasional technical glitches inevitable. A dedicated technical team is working to address the issues, he added.
He also said the government has signed an agreement with the Department of Postal Services to deliver printed passports to the respective district and area administration offices. In addition, preparations are underway to introduce a system that will allow citizens to apply for passports from any district, regardless of their permanent residence.
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