Pakistan E-Passport Rollout Begins: What New Applicants Need to Know

Pakistan E-Passport Rollout Begins: What New Applicants Need to Know

Pakistan has begun its nationwide e-passport rollout, with the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports shifting new passport applications to the electronic format from October 23, 2026. The start date was revised from an initial plan of October 15, and public notices from Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad have confirmed the new timetable.

The key point for existing passport holders is reassuring: machine-readable passports already in hand remain valid until their expiry dates, so nobody needs to replace a valid passport simply because the new format has arrived. The e-passport carries a chip holding the holder's biometric data, which is designed to speed up border checks and make forgery harder.

Overseas applicants should check their own mission's schedule, because dates differ. Pakistan's embassy in Doha, for example, announced it would start issuing e-passports on October 25, after issuing machine-readable passports until October 22. Applicants are advised to consult the immigration directorate or their nearest embassy or consulate for the latest requirements, processing arrangements and fees before applying.

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