Nepal e-Passport for Students: Fees & Timelines 2026

A Nepal e-passport for students costs Rs 12,000 for a 34-page adult passport and Rs 20,000 for 66 pages, according to the Department of Passports. You fill in the online pre-enrolment form first, then attend in person for biometrics. Regular service at your District Administration Office usually takes about 10 to 30 days. Fast track at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor costs Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000 more and usually takes two working days after enrolment.

Last checked: 19 October 2026. Fees and processing times are set by the Government of Nepal and can change. Confirm on the Department of Passports website before you pay.

Nepal e-passport for students: fees

Every new Nepali passport is now an e-passport, with a chip that stores your details and biometrics. The Department of Passports fee page lists these fees for applications made inside Nepal:

Type of application	34 pages	66 pages
New or renewal, adult	Rs 12,000	Rs 20,000
New or renewal, child under 10	Rs 9,500	Rs 14,500
Lost, or damaged so it can’t be used, adult	Rs 17,000	Rs 25,000
Lost or damaged, child under 10	Rs 14,500	Rs 19,500
Fast track (urgent) service: extra fee	+ Rs 7,000	+ Rs 12,000
Error made by the department	Free	Free

Source: Department of Passports, Government of Nepal. The fast track charge is described as an additional fee for urgent service.

The department describes the fast track amount as an additional fee. So, if the normal adult fee applies, a 34-page fast track passport would come to about Rs 19,000 (Rs 12,000 + Rs 7,000), and a 66-page one about Rs 32,000. That is our own sum. Confirm the total at the counter before you pay.

34 or 66 pages? Most students are fine with 34 pages. Think about 66 pages only if you expect to travel a lot during your studies and want to avoid renewing because the visa pages run out.

Regular vs fast track: where to apply and how long it takes

The Department of Passports process page sets out two routes:

Regular service: you apply at the District Administration Office (DAO) or Area Administration Office (AAO) that issued your citizenship certificate (or minor identity card). The passport is typically issued in about 10 to 30 days, depending on distance and transport. Regular service is not offered at the Department of Passports itself.
Emergency (fast track) service: you apply in person at the Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The passport is typically issued within two working days after enrolment. Fast track is not available at DAOs, AAOs or Nepali missions abroad.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

For most students, regular service is enough if you start early. A passport is one of the first documents you need. You need it to take IELTS or PTE, to receive a university offer in your own name, and for every visa application. If you already have a CAS, CoE, I-20 or letter of acceptance and your passport has a problem, fast track can save your timeline.

Documents you need for a Nepali passport

For an application inside Nepal, the Department of Passports asks for:

A copy of your completed online application form showing the barcode and QR code (printed is preferred; digital is accepted).
Your original Nepali citizenship certificate, or a minor identity card for under-16s.
Your current or expired passport, if you have ever held one.
Your National Identity Card or National ID number.
The bank voucher or cash receipt for the fee.

Some students need extra papers:

Date of birth differs from your school records: bring your SLC/SEE or higher education certificate.
Under 16: verification of the minor identity card, plus your parent’s or guardian’s citizenship documents.
Married woman adding her husband’s surname: marriage registration certificate and husband’s citizenship certificate.

The department’s FAQ also says it may ask for an open letter of authenticity for extra verification, even if you have a National ID card. For minors’ identity cards, that letter is mandatory.

How to apply: step by step

Check your citizenship details. Your name, date of birth and other details must match your citizenship certificate, which should also match your academic certificates. Fix any mismatch at the DAO before you apply. A spelling difference here can follow you to your visa, your I-20 or CAS, and your degree certificate.
Fill the online pre-enrolment form on the Department of Passports portal (linked from nepalpassport.gov.np). Choose the application type (first issue, renewal, lost or damaged) and 34 or 66 pages. Upload clear scans of the documents it asks for. Note your request number and print the form with its barcode.
Book or choose your enrolment place. Choose your DAO or AAO for regular service, or the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor for fast track.
Pay the fee and keep the voucher or receipt.
Attend in person for live enrolment. Your photo, fingerprints and signature are taken there, so you must go yourself.
Collect your passport and check every detail on the data page before you leave the counter.

If your pre-enrolment form is rejected, the department’s FAQ says it stays usable for 15 days. After that you need a new form. The department also has an official “Nepal ePassport” app on the App Store and Google Play.

How long is a Nepali e-passport valid?

Official pages we checked confirm these validity rules for children. A newborn’s or young child’s passport is issued with 5-year validity (Embassy of Nepal, Canberra and Dhaka). The Canberra embassy says minors aged 10 to 16 receive 10-year validity. For adults, check the expiry date printed on your own passport. We could not find a current Department of Passports page that states adult validity in plain words, so we have not quoted a figure.

What matters more for students is how much validity is left. At Tribhuvan International Airport, the Department of Immigration lists a passport valid for at least 6 months as a requirement for students leaving to study. Many visa systems also issue your permit or visa only up to your passport’s expiry date. If your passport expires within your course, renew it before you apply for the visa. See our TIA departure checklist for students.

Renewing your Nepali passport abroad through an embassy

Once you are studying abroad, you renew through the Nepali embassy or mission that covers your area. You fill the same online form, but choose “Other” as the country and the embassy (for example “NE, Washington D.C.” or “NE, Ottawa”) as the location. Then you attend in person for biometrics. Fast track is not available at missions abroad, and the passport is printed in Kathmandu and sent to the embassy, so it takes much longer.

Embassy	Adult fee, 34 pages	About (NPR)	Typical time stated
Embassy of Nepal, Washington D.C.	US$150 (money order); more by card	Rs 22,836	8 to 10 weeks from biometrics
Embassy of Nepal, Ottawa	CAD 220	Rs 23,661	2 to 3 months from application
Embassy of Nepal, Canberra	AUD 230	Rs 24,373	See embassy’s processing time page

Sources: each embassy’s passport page, checked 19 October 2026. NPR at the NRB selling rate, 17 Oct 2026 (USD 1 = Rs 152.24, CAD 1 = Rs 107.55, AUD 1 = Rs 105.97).

Points that the embassies’ own pages make:

When you can renew: the Washington and Ottawa embassies accept renewal when your passport has less than one year of validity left, or has run out of pages, or is lost, damaged or wrong.
In person only: mail-in renewals are not accepted for adults, because biometrics are taken live.
Proof of status: the Ottawa embassy asks for proof of your Canadian status, such as your study permit. The Canberra embassy asks for a copy of your valid visa.
Book early: the Washington embassy advises booking at least 30 days ahead because slots fill up.
Time zone tip: the Washington and Ottawa embassies tell you to set your computer’s time zone to Nepal time (UTC+5:45) before filling the form.
UK: check the Embassy of Nepal, London website for its current fee and booking steps.

Your study permit, BRP/eVisa record, F-1 visa or student visa is tied to your passport number. When you get a new passport, check your destination country’s rules on updating your details. In the US, for example, tell your DSO so your SEVIS record stays correct. See our guide on how to maintain F-1 status.

Nepal-specific tips for students

Apply as soon as you decide to study abroad. IELTS, PTE and university applications all ask for passport details. Changing passports mid-process means updating every record.
Match your name everywhere. Your passport name should match your SEE, +2 and bachelor’s certificates. If it doesn’t, your university or visa officer may ask for a name-difference certificate, which itself has to be issued by the DAO and attested.
Don’t use a passport you reported lost. The Department of Passports warns that a passport reported lost or stolen must not be used for travel, even if you find it later.
Keep scans. Keep a colour scan of the data page and your old passport. You will need them for visa forms, embassy renewals and police clearance from abroad.
Use official channels only. You don’t need an agent to apply. If anyone offers to “speed up” a passport for an extra payment outside the official fast track fee, walk away.

Common mistakes to avoid

Uploading blurry scans or files that are too large. Embassies set limits (for example under 400 KB in Dhaka and New Delhi, under 300 KB in Washington), and the session can time out.
Going to the Department of Passports for regular service. It only handles fast track; regular applications go to your DAO or AAO.
Leaving renewal until after your visa. A new passport number can mean extra paperwork with your destination country.
Not checking the printed passport at the counter. Fixing a spelling error later costs time.
Missing your enrolment appointment abroad. Embassies say missed appointments must be rebooked.

What to do next

Check that your citizenship, certificates and planned passport details all match.
Apply for regular service at your DAO well before your English test and university applications.
Once you have your passport, get your Nepal police clearance certificate if your visa needs one, and start your NOC for study abroad.
Plan your full budget with our free study abroad plan.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the e-passport fee in Nepal for students?
There is no separate student fee. An adult 34-page passport is Rs 12,000 and a 66-page passport is Rs 20,000, according to the Department of Passports. Children under 10 pay Rs 9,500 or Rs 14,500.

How many days does it take to get a passport in Nepal?
Regular service at your DAO or AAO typically takes about 10 to 30 days. Fast track at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor is typically ready within two working days after enrolment.

How much is fast track passport in Nepal?
The fast track charge is an additional Rs 7,000 for 34 pages or Rs 12,000 for 66 pages, on top of the normal fee. Fast track is only available at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu.

Can I renew my Nepali passport while studying abroad?
Yes, through the Nepali embassy covering where you live. Fill the online form, choose that embassy as your location, and attend in person for biometrics. Embassies say it takes about 2 to 3 months, and renewal is usually accepted when less than one year of validity is left.

Do I need a National ID to apply for a passport in Nepal?
The Department of Passports lists the National Identity Card or its number among the required documents, and the Ottawa embassy says a National ID number is needed to register on the portal.

Sources

Last checked: 19 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Fees change; confirm with the Department of Passports or your embassy before paying.

Nepal e-passport for students: fees, documents and timelines