Curious whether anyone's renewed their passport recently, and how it went for them. 

I was dumb-struck  by the attiutude of the Nepal Embassy at DC when I inquired on this matter. 

So here's what my experience was like - their site provides an application form. It supposedly has links to instructions on how to fill it up and what size of photo to use and all that. Those links don't open. The form is asking for 35 X 45 photos. Places in US take 51X51 passport size photos. 

I called last month and spoke in English - some guy piked up the phone, told me to go to their website, follow the instructions and send the application. And the passport would processes in 2 months time once they've received it.

I found out about the photo size discrepancy and I called again, and this time I spoke in Nepali. Diffrent guy picked it up. Here's what he said 

This is what i did,
1. took 2X2 photo (normal US passport size photo) and cut it to meet 45x35 standard.
2. Bought A4 size paper from Amazon and took a print out there.

 Does it really take 3 months for us to receive our passport? Just realized that my passport is set to expire as well. 

In US people use Letter size and elsewhere people use A4 size. There is actual size difference.

You will have to do little but of searching to get exact A4 size paper.

Yes the photo sizes are also different.

Yes, they do send passport to Nepal and it does take about 3 months. That is because they collect all the passport and application,and when there is bulk, then only they mail the bulk to Nepal.

The Nepalese embassy in DC works just like any Nepalese government office in Nepal.

 If we are applying for new passport , do we really have to pay all these fees or only the Passport -US $150.00 

8. Fees
   Passport - US $ 150
   Travel Document - US $ 40
   Temporary Passport - US $ 20

 What is a "travel document"? 

As far as I remember "travel document" used to be issued (in Nepal) to kids below 5 years of age instead of a passport.

 I sent them my original passport, nagarikta, and money order of $150 with a stamped return envelope 1 and 1/2 months ago. I did not hear anything for almost a month. Then I decided to call and they told me that I didn't send any return envelope, my photo was not according to the required scale...blah..blah..blah...Bottom line- they were very unprofessional and not helpful at all. Finally I requested them to return all my documents but it has been already 2 months now and have not got back my documents. I have been emailing them but they are not responding. I don't know what am I going to do with these goosmongers. 

If you go to their website, under requirements to apply for new passport it has all these fees - so I was wondering if they require us to pay all those fees. I just don't wanna pay them $150 and later they were still waiting for other fees while I am waiting for my passport.
Their website information is confusing for me. 

www.nepalembassyusa.org/passport.php

U just have to  ring them up frequently, but they do a nice job when u ring them up.U also hv to give atleast 3 weeks.
Not bad from my past experience.

 Do they give us back our old passport ? If not what will happen to the visa on it ?

I did mine in 2006 and what i did is print out the form, stick 2x2 photo, money order and old passport and stamped fedex return envelop. I got mine in few weeks. I think not even a month. Sent in the fedex receipent signature required mail.

They did not sent my passport to Nepal to renew. They did it here  I guess. (written in passport -renewed city - washington dc)
I wonder why they are sending your passport to Nepal. May be due to MRP passport.
Mine was no hassle. I did not even contact embassy. I just went to website and follow what they said and sent it.

Just keep the photocopies of all the passport and visa pages.

 

I applied for transit visa for London and I have to fill out the form in which their requirement for photo was
Passport style and size (45mm high x 35mm wide).

I printed out the application form in regular photocopy paper and cut the 2x2 picture to fit 45mmx35mm. I got visa the next day.

 

Dude,
you do not have any choice other than what they tell you to do.
This is my own experience:
1. download the form: fill it out, print it in A4 size paper NOT letter as normally used in US.
2. Take a picture. be it 2x2, and later cut it your self to 45 x 35 mm. if you are scared to cut it, then the person over there in embassy will do it for you.
3. send your old passport for verification.
4. send money draft of $150 and yes $150.
5. buy prepaid envelop so that you get the passport back once it's done.
6. do send it(all the above 5 things) with a post with tracking number or requires signature on delivery.
7. Call the embassy and let them know about it.

and yes it take at least 2 months to get the MRP these days. forget what other did in good old days. your application will be sent to Nepal to make new MRP and will be posted to you in that prepaid envelope once it's done.

you do not have other choice dude.
Nagarik.

 Nagarik,

Just to make surem you do get back your old passport along with new one, right?

Sparrow

One more thing do not lose the fedex receipt bill that you sent the documents to embassy. Keep it until you receive your passport back.

They will send your old passport with void written on it along with a new passport.

Has anyone lost passport sent to Nepal embassy?

 Mno,

Althought "void" will be written in old passport, will the visa be valid in it? What if I renew my passport and want to go home before the Visa expires? Do I need to renew the Visa before it expires in the old passport?

Sparrow

Jacksparrow, you need to carry both the passport in that case.(New and Old one with Visa)

I'm certian but do check US immigration policy,

@ Jacksparrow:
Yes they will send you the old passport after stamping void on first 2 pages. if you still have valid visa in the old passport it does not matter. the visa is still valid and you can travell as long as you carry both the passport. In the new passport you will have the old passport number which is good reference.

Once the visa in the old passport has expired then you do not need to carry while travelling unless you want to. But for visa interview or in port of entry you might want to show them your old PP just in case.

What I know is: everyone should have MRP by the mid of 2014, so it's better to do it now rather than wait at the last moment and believe me, it will be rush at that time.

Good Luck.
Nagarik.

 Has anybody actually applied for a new one?