How to Apply for a Passport Using Nagarik App

Applying for a Nepali passport used to mean navigating a separate government portal, remembering a different login, and hoping your citizenship details matched up correctly across systems. That's changed. With National ID integration now live inside the Nagarik App, and passport services formally brought into the app as part of the government's 2026 digital governance push, you can now start and manage much of your passport application Nagarik App process from the same super-app you may already use for your PAN, National ID, and other citizen services. This guide walks through documents, the step-by-step process, fees, appointment booking, tracking, and the mistakes that most commonly delay approval.

Documents Required Before Applying

Before opening the app, gather these documents so the online form goes smoothly in one sitting:

• Citizenship certificate (Nagarikta) — original for verification, with the exact citizenship number, issuing district, and issue date on hand, since these must be entered precisely.
• National Identification Number (NIN) — your 10-digit NID number, since passport applications through the Nagarik App are built around National ID integration. If you haven't completed NID registration and biometric capture yet, this is a prerequisite step to complete first.
• Old passport — required only if you're renewing or replacing an existing passport, not for a first-time application.
• Recent passport-sized photographs — while your photo is captured digitally on-site during the biometric appointment, it's still worth carrying a couple of printed passport photos for your own records or in case of a system issue.
• For minors: the child's birth certificate, both parents' citizenship certificates, written parental consent with photographs, and the parents' marriage certificate.
• For minors with only one available parent: additional documentation such as a death certificate, court custody order, or a sworn affidavit, depending on the specific circumstance.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

1. Open the Nagarik App and log in using your registered mobile number and PIN or biometric login.
2. Select the National ID section first if you haven't already, and confirm your NIN is active and linked to your profile — this is the foundation the passport service builds on.
3. Navigate to the Passport Service option within the app's service directory.
4. Choose your application type: new passport, renewal/re-issue, or replacement of a lost or damaged passport.
5. Select your booklet size: either the standard 34-page passport or the 66-page frequent-traveler version.
6. Fill in your demographic details — full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, and citizenship details — pulling directly from your NID record where possible to reduce manual entry errors.
7. Review the data privacy consent and accept it to proceed, since the app pulls verified details from government databases with your explicit consent at this stage.
8. Submit the form and proceed to fee payment and appointment booking, covered in the next two sections.

Many application forms have a limited session window (often around 30 minutes) before timing out, so have all your citizenship and NID details ready beforehand rather than looking them up mid-application.

Paying Passport Fees Digitally

Passport fees in Nepal vary based on booklet size, processing speed, and applicant age. Current standard fees are as follows:

A practical cost-saving note: regular processing fees are generally lower at your local District Administration Office than at the Department of Passports headquarters in Kathmandu, while fast-track processing is typically only available at the central Kathmandu facility. If you're not in a hurry, applying through your district office can save a meaningful amount.

Payment is completed digitally through the app's integrated payment gateway, which connects to standard bank and digital wallet payment rails — you'll receive a payment receipt or voucher number that you must bring to your biometric appointment as proof of payment.

Booking Your Appointment / Biometric Slot

Once your fee payment is confirmed, the next step is booking your biometric enrollment appointment:

1. Select your preferred processing location — either the Department of Passports in Kathmandu or your local District Administration Office.
2. Choose an available appointment date and time slot from the calendar shown in the app.
3. Confirm your slot — you'll receive a confirmation with your appointment details and a reference number.
4. On your appointment day, visit the selected office in person for biometric enrollment: fingerprints, a digital photograph, and your signature are captured on-site.

Appointment slots at high-demand locations like the Kathmandu Department of Passports headquarters can fill up within minutes of opening, particularly during peak travel seasons like Dashain and Tihar or labor migration peaks. If slots appear full, check back periodically during the day, since cancellations do free up new openings.

Tracking Your Application Status

After your biometric appointment, you can track your passport's processing status directly:

1. Open the Nagarik App and navigate back to the Passport Service section.
2. Select the Track Application or status-check option.
3. Enter your application or receipt number from your payment confirmation.
4. The status will show whether your passport is still processing, ready for collection, or requires additional action from you.

Regular processing typically takes anywhere from about 7 to 15 working days, while fast-track processing is considerably quicker, often within 3 to 5 working days — though both timelines can extend during high-demand periods.

Common Mistakes That Delay Approval

FAQs

Do I need a physical National ID card to apply for a passport through the Nagarik App?

No — once your National Identification Number (NIN) is generated after your biometric enrollment session with the Department of National ID and Civil Registration, you can use the digital NID within the Nagarik App without waiting for the physical card.

Can I apply for a passport through the Nagarik App if I live outside Kathmandu?

Yes — all 77 District Administration Offices process passport applications, and you can select your preferred district office as your appointment location directly within the app.

Is fast-track processing available everywhere?

Fast-track processing is generally available at the Department of Passports headquarters in Kathmandu, while regular processing is available both there and at district offices, typically at a lower fee.

What happens if I made a mistake on my submitted application?

Contact the passport office or check the app's support guidance as soon as possible — corrections are far easier to make before your biometric appointment than after, so review your submitted details carefully before that stage.

Key Takeaways

Applying for a Nepali passport through the Nagarik App genuinely simplifies what used to be a more fragmented process, letting you handle your National ID verification, application form, fee payment, and appointment booking from a single trusted government platform. Since this feature is a relatively recent addition still being rolled out and refined, it's worth keeping your app updated to the latest version and double-checking the current fee schedule on the official passport portal before you pay, just to make sure nothing has shifted since this guide was written.