Nepali passport ranks in 102nd position

Nepali passport has been ranked at the 102nd position among the 199 countries, according to a global index.
The Hanley Passport Index published by Halney & Partners ranks the strength of passports of different countries. According to the global index, with 38 points, Nepal is in the bottom 10 group among 199 countries. More countries a passport holder can visit without a prior visa, the better the rank. Nepalis can get an on arrival visa in a couple of countries – including Singapore and Indonesia – only making the Nepali passport weaker.
The index – updated for the third quarters of the year – has put Japan and Singapore on the top of the list with 189 points, whereas Nepal’s neighbours – China and India – are ranked 74th and 86th, respectively. “In South Asia, the Maldives has the strongest passport with 62nd position,” the index revealed, adding that Pakistan is in the 106th position whereas Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.
The countries were ranked according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, the index reads.

Department of Passport receives ISO certification

The Department of Passport under the Foreign Ministry has become the first government agency to be accredited with the ISO standards.
The International Organisation for Standarisation has accredited the department with the ISO 9001: 2015 certificate for being able to maintain international standards in the preparation, certification and distribution of passports.
Unveiling the ‘ISO 9001:2015’ certificate at a programme held at the department today, deputy prime minister and foreign minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that it was a matter of pride that the department was the first government agency to be honoured with the ISO certification.
Stating that the certification was a result of the dedication, efficiency and awareness of quality service of the department employees, Mahara directed the employees to work with a goal to maintain the achievement, and attain higher goals. "The government must work hard as it has to be prepared to issue e-passports,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, on the occasion, said the accreditation was a result of increased transparency, professionalism and effectiveness, and expressed the hope that the feat would inspire other government agencies.
National Bureau of Standards and Metrology director general Biswababu Pudasaini lauded the department for the achievement, while calling for continued action to maintain it.