Kathmandu, Shrawan 22 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a new platform for consular attestation, Nepal e-Attestation System (NEATS) to expedite the process of document attestation for Nepalis in and outside the country. The online consular attestation system in Nepal enables applicants to submit their consular attestation applications online, monitor the status of applications, pay government fees online and schedule an appointment prior to visiting the Department of Consular Services for final verification. The Nepal e-Attestation System will officially become operational from 17th August, 2026.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal opened the digital platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar, which will assist the government's Digital Nepal vision to enhance transparency, efficiency and accessibility in public service delivery. With growing number of Nepalis going abroad for advanced studies, employment abroad, business and research activities along with migration, the demand for document authentication has increased in a rapid pace in Nepal, said the ministry. The government says that over 112,000 students have got No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for study abroad in the FY 2023/24, and approximately 400,000 Nepalis get labor approvals for overseas job every year.
The consular attestation in Nepal is a process that is used to certify the authenticity of public documents, which are then accepted by other governments and institutions. Authenticated documents are usually required for travel abroad for education, employment abroad, visa applications, family reuniting, insurance claims, compensation process and emergency repatriation.
In the past, the applicant would have to make several trips to the Department of Consular Services in Nepal to get a document attested, particularly when the submitted documents were not accurate or complete. Now, documents can be uploaded online for initial screening with the help of a system called Nepal e-Attestation System (NEATS) and applicants will go to the department only after the approval and confirmation of their appointment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that the new online document attestation system will help to overcome the long queues, repeated visits and travel costs, especially for those travelling to Kathmandu from outside the country. The government is also in the process of collaborating with the Department of Postal Services to provide home delivery of authenticated documents. The ministry also intends to bring in government agencies and local bodies, which issue public documents, into the online consular attestation system, and to have standardized forms to streamline document verification and authentication.
Starting from 17 August 2026, the Nepal e-Attestation System (NEATS) will officially launch online consular attestation services in Nepal, contributing to the digitization of government services and documentation procedure for Nepalis around the world.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
