How to Renew Your Nepali Passport from the USA, UK, or Australia: Step‑by‑Step Guide for Nepalis Abroad

Living abroad means dealing with paperwork from two countries at once. For Nepalis in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia, passport renewal is one of those tasks that can feel overwhelming — especially when the rules differ depending on which mission serves your address. This guide walks through the process as it stands in late 2026, based on the latest information published by Nepal's embassies and consulates in all three countries.

First, find the right mission

Nepal has diplomatic missions in Washington DC, New York, and San Francisco for the US; London and Edinburgh for the UK; and Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne for Australia. Your state, province, or territory determines where you apply — not where you happen to be travelling. The Embassy of Nepal in Washington covers most of the eastern and central US. The Consulate General in New York handles the tri‑state area plus a few neighbouring states. San Francisco serves the western states and Hawaii. In the UK, the London embassy covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Edinburgh takes Scotland. Australia splits by state: Canberra for ACT and surrounding NSW, Sydney for NSW proper, Melbourne for Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Check the mission's website before you start. Jurisdiction maps change occasionally, and some consulates only accept applications by mail or courier, not in person.

Documents you'll need

The core set is the same everywhere: your current or expired Nepali passport (Machine Readable Passport or MRP), original Nepali citizenship certificate, two recent passport‑size photos with white background, the completed application form, and proof of legal stay. In the US that means a valid visa, green card, or I‑94 printout. In the UK, a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or share‑code from the Home Office. In Australia, a visa grant notice or VEVO printout works.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you'll also need a police report from the local authority and a notarised affidavit explaining the circumstances. Some missions ask for a copy of your flight itinerary if you're requesting an emergency travel document.

Booking the appointment

All three countries now use online booking systems. The US missions share a portal on the official embassy website where you select your consulate, pick a slot, and upload scanned copies of your documents beforehand. London's embassy requires pre‑submission of scanned documents via email before they confirm a slot. Edinburgh follows a similar email‑first process. Australian posts vary: Canberra and Sydney use an online calendar; Melbourne still accepts walk‑ins on certain mornings but strongly encourages booking ahead.

Biometric enrolment (fingerprints and photo) happens at the appointment. If you're applying by mail — allowed by some US consulates for straightforward renewals — you skip this step but must include a prepaid return courier envelope.

Fees and payment

Fees are posted in local currency and can change without much notice. As of late 2026, the standard 10‑year MRP costs approximately $110 USD, £85 GBP, or $165 AUD. Emergency travel documents (valid for one year, single entry) run roughly $50, £40, or $75 respectively. Tatkal (expedited) service, where offered, adds approximately $40/£35/$60. Payment methods differ: US missions typically accept money orders or cashier's checks only; London takes postal orders or bank transfer; Australian posts accept bank drafts or in‑person card payments at the counter.

Always verify the exact amount and accepted payment methods on the mission's website the week you apply.

Processing times

Standard MRP renewal typically takes four to six weeks from the date the mission receives a complete application. Emergency travel documents can be ready in one to three business days if you prove urgent travel — medical emergency, family death, or imminent visa expiry. Tatkal service, available at some missions including Washington, London, and Canberra, promises 10‑15 business days for an extra fee. These are published targets, not guarantees.

Delays happen when documents are incomplete, photos don't meet specs, or the mission needs to verify citizenship records with the Department of Passport in Kathmandu. That verification step alone can add two weeks.

If your passport has already expired

An expired MRP is still a valid identity document for renewal purposes — you don't need a valid passport to apply for a new one. Submit the expired booklet with your application. If you need to travel before the new MRP arrives, request an emergency travel document instead. It's a single‑entry booklet valid for one year, meant only for entry into Nepal. Once in Nepal, you can apply for a full MRP at the Department of Passport in Kathmandu.

Lost or stolen passports require the police report and affidavit mentioned earlier. The mission will also verify that you haven't been issued a replacement already — Nepal's system flags duplicate applications.

Mission‑specific quirks

The New York consulate has accepted walk‑ins for emergency travel documents on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on a first‑come‑first‑served basis; check the current schedule before travelling. Washington does not offer walk‑ins — everything is by appointment. London requires photos sized 35×45 mm with the face covering 70‑80% of the frame; US missions use the 2×2 inch standard. Melbourne's consulate has specified matte finish only in the past; glossy photos have been rejected. San Francisco asks for a self‑addressed USPS Priority Mail envelope with tracking, even if you apply in person — verify this requirement when you book.

Read the FAQ page for your specific mission. The differences seem small but they're the most common reason applications get returned.

Receiving your new passport

If you applied in person, the mission will notify you by email or SMS when the passport is ready. Collection hours are usually weekday mornings. Bring your receipt and original ID. If you applied by mail or courier, the passport returns in the prepaid envelope you provided. Track it. Some missions offer courier pickup for a fee — DHL in the US, Royal Mail Special Delivery in the UK, Australia Post Express in Australia.

If you must travel before the passport arrives and don't qualify for an emergency document, you're stuck. There's no "expedite by calling" option. Plan at least eight weeks ahead of any booked travel.

A final checklist

Confirm your jurisdiction. Gather originals and photocopies. Book the appointment. Pay the exact fee. Show up with everything. Keep the receipt. Track the return. It's bureaucratic, yes, but thousands of Nepalis do this every year. The system works if you follow the steps for your specific mission.