How to renew your Nepali passport from abroad — Voices on OnNepal

Before you start: processes, fees, and timelines vary by embassy and change without much notice. This guide describes the general shape of the process. Always confirm details with your nearest Nepali embassy or consulate before traveling or paying anything. Last reviewed: June 2026.

The short version

Nepal now issues e-passports, and renewals from abroad go through the Nepali embassy or consulate responsible for your country. The broad steps:

Pre-enroll online at the Department of Passports portal — nepalpassport.gov.np. You fill the application form online and get an appointment/receipt.
Gather documents. Typically: your current (or expired) passport, a copy of your citizenship certificate (नागरिकता), and passport-size photos per the spec on the portal. Some missions ask for proof of legal status in the country you live in.
Visit the embassy/consulate in person for biometrics (fingerprints + photo). This is the step you cannot do remotely — plan the trip.
Pay the fee as the mission instructs (methods vary — some take bank drafts only).
Wait, then collect. Passports are printed in Kathmandu and couriered to the mission. Timelines vary widely between missions; ask yours for a realistic estimate, and whether they will post it to you or require pickup.

Things that catch people out

Apply early. Many countries (and airlines) require 6 months of validity. Renewals from abroad take longer than in Nepal — start when you cross the one-year-left mark, not the final month.
Name spellings must match your citizenship certificate exactly. Discrepancies between old passport, citizenship, and the form are the most common reason applications stall.
Lost citizenship copy? Getting a replacement from your district in Nepal while abroad is its own process — often via a relative with power of attorney. Sort this before the passport application.
Check which mission covers you. Not every country has a Nepali embassy; you may be accredited to one in a neighboring country (e.g., several European countries route through Berlin or Brussels).
Lost or stolen passport? That is a different process (police report + travel document). Contact the embassy immediately rather than applying for a regular renewal.

Official sources

Department of Passports: nepalpassport.gov.np
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (embassy directory): mofa.gov.np
Your embassy's own website and official Facebook page — most missions post current fees and appointment rules there.

If something in this guide is out of date, leave a note in the discussions so we can fix it.