Kathmandu, November 12
The Department of Passport says it will begin distributing electronic passports (e-passports) from November 17, 2021.
With this, the government will gradually replace existing machine-readable passports (MRPs) in the next few years.
The department‘s spokesperson Sharad Raj Aran says a special function will be organised on November 17 to begin the distribution of e-passports.
However, not all applicants will get e-passports from that day, he clarifies. “Initially, we will distribute limited numbers of e-passports. We will also continue distributing MRPs side by side.”
The government has selected a French company to print e-passports (electronic machine-readable travel documents).
The IDEMIA Identity and Security France SAS has been chosen as it had bid the lowest amount (USD 21.1 million) for the procurement of security printing, supply and delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of equipment and personalisation of the passports.
