Why Pakistan's New E-Passport Matters for Travellers in 2026
If you're planning to travel from Pakistan to the rest of the world in 2026, having the correct passport is one of the most important considerations. The e-passport Pakistan system provides travelers with the security of a passport with an integrated electronic chip that stores vital personal data and biometrics. As Pakistan progresses towards broader electronic passports, travelers should be aware of the costs and eligibility, the application process, processing times, and the options for checking status before making travel arrangements.
Tripplannerpk is a Pakistan-based B2C travel agency that helps customers plan their travels by providing easy travel solutions and great service. The business helps clients with the Umrah process, hotel bookings (5-star and budget hotels near Makkah and Madinah), Ziyarat visits, comfortable transport options, and luxury transportation choices. Customers can also get 24-hour after-sales service and representatives who are on the ground, ready to help pilgrims on their way. Tripplannerpk is focused on making travel planning easier for Pakistani clients while providing fair costs and professional help.
What Is the New Pakistan E-Passport?
The brand-new Pakistan e-passport has been made with better security options. It is not like a traditional Machine Readable Passport (MRP); it is equipped with an electronic chip inside the passport. The chip can store biometric data and personal data on the data page of the passport, along with a unique identification number and a digital signature. The chip is based on contactless NFC technology. It also follows the internationally accepted ICAO standard.
The electronic passport service has been available in Pakistan since the 16th of August 2023. DGI&P has shared a range of 2026 projects in relation to e-passports. Including an update that dropped on the first of July. Title: "E-Passport Replace Ordinary Passport," which means progress toward electronic passports. Pakistan’s new e-passport is part of this progress toward electronic passports.
What Is the Difference Between an E-Passport and a Normal Passport?
The most significant difference is the electronic chip. The standard Machine Readable Passport contains printed personal data and machine-readable features. An e-passport has an electronic chip that lets authorized systems verify the information of the person who holds it electronically.
If you frequently travel internationally for frequent travelers to other countries, the e-passport Pakistan option offers an additional layer of security. It is compatible with modern digital verification methods.
What is the fee for a 10-year e-passport in Pakistan?
The price depends on the number of pages you need and the type of urgency. If you wish to buy a 36-page passport with a 10-year validity, it usually costs the equivalent of Rs. 13,500. But the emergency cost is $22,500. Travelers should check the e-passport Pakistan fee before applying.
The current official e-passport fee structure is
These are the fees that are set by the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P). The applicants can pay the fee for e-passports through an app called the Passport Fee Asaan App or the e-Payment Website. Applicants should also check the latest e-passport fee in Pakistan before making payment.
Who is eligible for an e-passport?
Pakistani citizens who satisfy the requirements for a passport are able to apply for an electronic passport at the passport office of their choice. Adults usually require the authentic CNIC or the NICOP, along with a duplicate of it, evidence of payment of the fee, and their passport from the time it was issued. Further documents are required in certain situations, like for government workers, dual nationals, and people who have lost their passport.
The passports of children can be obtained as long as they meet the requirements applicable to them. If a minor is in the country, documents like a CRC or Juvenile Card (FRC), along with parents with current CNICs or passports, might be required depending on the child's age and the circumstances.
Can I get an e-passport in Pakistan?
Yeah. You can apply for an e-passport in Pakistan. DGI&P declares that the electronic passport issuance facility has been accessible at field offices throughout the country since August 16, 2023. The applicants will not need to go to another country or visit an overseas passport office for an electronic passport. The Pakistan new e-passport is available to eligible Pakistani citizens through the relevant passport offices.
Before submitting, be sure you have accurate personal data. DGI&P will also require a first name and last name in e-passport applications. There are also specific characters for names.
What is the fee for an e-passport?
The electronic passport cost in Pakistan is based on the pages per passport, the duration of validity, and the processing classification. The 36-page passport is ideal for those who don't require an excessive number of entry and visa stamps, and frequent travelers could like 72-page passports.
If you are looking for a five-year period of validity, the normal cost begins at the amount of Rs. 9,999 to cover 36 pages. For 10 years, the average cost for 36 pages is the equivalent of Rs. 13,500. Applicants who require urgent processing may choose the urgent option with the highest applicable fee.
DGI&P is also advising applicants to pay the fee before submitting the passport application. Its Passport Fee: The Asaan system allows applicants to estimate the applicable fee and create the required PSID for payment.
How to apply for an e-passport in Pakistan?
The process of applying for an e-passport in Pakistan usually involves gathering the necessary documents, paying the appropriate fees, and then going to the appropriate passport office to complete the steps required for the application. For travelers, the e-passport application process in Pakistan is an important step before making international travel arrangements.
In the passport office, applicants can be required to go through steps such as
The token and photo are generated.
Verification of biometrics
Data entry
Verification of documents
Interview stage or the decision phase
Confirmation of payment or fee if applicable
Processing of passports and delivery
The application process for DGI&P also incorporates payments that are QR-based at the appropriate points and includes electronic payment options like Easypaisa, JazzCash, and online banking options for transactions made through passports.
Can I Apply Through Pakistan Passport Online?
There is a Pakistan passport online service offered to certain categories, including the online option for passport renewals for both inland and out-of-country Pakistanis. The applicants can make their applications on the internet, pay with either a debit or credit card, and get application information about their status via the email address they have given.
However, using online services does not mean that all applicants and each type of passport application can be made completely on the internet. If you are applying for a new passport, make sure that you know the current DGI&P guidelines and manner of application before you start the application process. The Pakistan passport online service is available for specific eligible categories.
How Much Time Does an E-Passport Take in Pakistan?
The processing time will vary based upon the category of application as well as the particular circumstances of the person applying. DGI&P provides the general timeline for processing passports, which is 21 working days for normal service, and five working days for emergency services. It is worth noting that Fast Track cannot be used for electronic passport delivery. Delivery time or the courier is different from the processing time that is published.
This is why travelers shouldn't wait until the closing days of the departure date for an international journey. If you apply early, it gives you the time to get your passport as well as complete the required visas and travel plans.
How Can I Check My E-Passport Status?
After you've submitted your application, tracking its status can help organize your trip with more certainty. DGI&P offers an updated passport status intimation service via SMS or email. Candidates must supply a valid mobile phone number or email address at the entry stage to ensure that updates on status can be received at 988.
If you're searching for the tracking of your passport in Pakistan, make sure to use authentic DGI&P data rather than entering your personal details for your passport on untrusted third-party websites. This is especially important when using passport tracking Pakistan services.
Online Passport Tracking Pakistan Token Number
There are many applicants who search online for Passport Tracking Pakistan by token numbers to check whether their passports have been processed or issued. It is better to use the official DGI&P status-intimation system and the information given by the department. Many applicants also search for passport tracking Pakistan by token number online when they want to check their application status.
Keeping your application token and payment details, including your registered mobile number and email information, readily available will help you follow up on your application. DGI&P offers a nationwide service for help with your passport. For passport tracking in Pakistan, applicants should use the official status-intimation system. The passport tracking Pakistan by token number online option is commonly searched by applicants checking their passport status.
What Should Travelers Check Before Traveling Abroad?
Planning travel for international travel is more than just passports. Travelers must check the following before traveling from Pakistan:
Passport validity and blank pages
The requirements for visas to your destination
Booking flights and travel dates
Hotel bookings, travel insurance (if relevant)
No entry restrictions apply to any destination.
Copies of important travel documents; travel assistance contact details. You may not be allowed to enter another country with an authentic passport. The rules and requirements to enter a country depend on the country you are going to and the visa. They could change. So travelers are asked to find out about the current rules before they leave.
How to plan Umrah after having your passport?
If you are preparing for the upcoming Umrah trip, it is vital to plan the rest of your travel plans. Tripplannerpk will help Pakistani travelers with their Umrah, hotel bookings, 5-star hotels, and cheap hotels near Makkah and Madinah.
The company also provides Ziyarat trips with comfortable travel and luxury transportation, along with 24/7 customer support. Having agents on the ground also means pilgrims are assisted throughout their travels, which makes the journey more enjoyable overall.
Tripplannerpk primarily serves B2C tourists within Pakistan and also works with travel brokers when necessary, offering reasonable prices for agents. Its goal is to simplify Umrah as well as other travel arrangements to be more organized, simple, and easier to manage.
Final Thoughts:
The e-passport system of Pakistan will be a big stride toward the safest and most modern documents for travel. It has an electronic chip, biometrics, and an international ICAO-compliant electronic passport technology that offers a more modern alternative to the traditional MRP for travelers.
You should check with DGI&P about the current fees and eligibility criteria, processing classification, and application process before you apply. If you are planning Umrah or any other overseas travel after you get your passport, you can make your trip easier by arranging your visa, flight, hotel rooms, and transportation in advance.
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