Passport Status & Tracking
Pakistan Passport Status Check: Track Your Application Online
passportstatus.pk is an independent, privately run informational resource. We are not affiliated with the Government of Pakistan or the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP). For official applications and the authoritative record of your passport status, always refer to dgip.gov.pk.
Why Checking Your Passport Status Matters
A Pakistani passport application moves through several internal stages at the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP) — data verification, background/Exit Control List checks, printing, and dispatch — before it's ready for you. Checking status lets you plan travel bookings with confidence, catch a stalled application early (for example, one stuck in verification well past the expected window), and know exactly when to go collect your passport instead of making a wasted trip to the Regional Passport Office (RPO).
Method 1: Track by Token Number
Your token number is the fastest way to check status, because it points to your specific application rather than to all applications tied to your CNIC. You'll find it printed on the receipt/slip handed to you at the Regional Passport Office counter when you submitted biometrics, and it's normally 11 digits long.
- Locate your token slip from the day you visited the passport office (it's issued right after biometric verification, not at the very first counter).
- Go to DGIP's official online tracking page and enter the 11-digit number exactly as printed, with no spaces.
- Submit the query. The result shows your current stage — for example, In Process, Printed, or Dispatched.
- If nothing returns, double-check for a misread digit (0 vs O, 1 vs I are common transcription errors) before assuming there's a system problem.
For the full step-by-step walkthrough, including what to do at each stage and how long the token number stays valid for tracking, see our dedicated guide: How to Check Pakistan Passport Status by Token Number.
Method 2: Track by CNIC Number
If you've misplaced your token slip, your CNIC (or Smart Card) number can also pull up your passport status, since every application is linked to the applicant's national identity record. This method is slightly slower to narrow down if you've applied more than once in the past (for example, a prior passport plus a current renewal), because the system may need to disambiguate between records.
| Tracking method | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Token number | 11-digit number from your application slip | Fastest, most precise lookup |
| CNIC number | 13-digit CNIC or Smart Card number | When the token slip is lost |
| SMS to 9988 | A mobile phone with signal, no internet needed | Checking status without going online |
Method 3: SMS Tracking to 9988
DGIP also offers a mobile SMS tracking channel on shortcode 9988 for applicants who don't have easy internet access. The typical format is to text your token number (or CNIC, depending on current configuration) to 9988 and receive a status reply by SMS within a few minutes. Message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply. Because shortcode formats occasionally change, confirm the exact current syntax on DGIP's official channels before relying on it for a time-sensitive check.
What Do the Status Messages Mean?
DGIP's tracking system reports a small set of standard status labels. Here's what each one generally indicates, in the order an application typically moves through them:
In Process
Your application is still under data verification or background checks. No action needed yet — this stage can take the bulk of the normal processing window.
Printed
Your passport booklet has been printed. It hasn't been released for delivery or collection yet — usually a short wait remains.
Dispatched
Your passport has been released — either handed to a courier/Pakistan Post for delivery, or made available for in-person collection, depending on your application type.
Ready for Collection
Your passport is physically at the Regional Passport Office counter. Bring your original token slip and CNIC to collect it.
Exact wording can vary slightly by system update. If a status message you see isn't listed here or doesn't match your expectation, our full breakdown covers edge-case messages and typical timing between each stage in more depth.
If Tracking Shows No Result or an Error
This is almost always a data-entry mismatch, not a lost application. Re-check every digit of your token number or CNIC for transcription errors, confirm you're using the official DGIP tracking page (not a third-party lookalike), and wait 24–48 hours after applying before assuming the record hasn't been created yet — very fresh applications sometimes aren't queryable on day one.
A prolonged "In Process" status beyond the normal processing window (roughly 21–28 working days for a Normal-tier application) can mean your file is under additional background verification. This isn't necessarily a rejection signal — but if it significantly exceeds the expected window, contacting your Regional Passport Office directly with your token number is more effective than repeated online checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your passport is ready once the tracked status shows "Ready for Collection" or "Dispatched" with a delivery reference. "In Process" or "Printed" means it isn't ready yet — checking again in a few days is more useful than visiting the office in person.
A "Dispatched" status means DGIP has released your passport. If you registered for delivery, it's now with a courier or Pakistan Post; otherwise, it's ready for in-person collection at your Regional Passport Office.
Yes — your CNIC number works as an alternative lookup, and SMS tracking to 9988 is available if you don't have internet access. The token number remains the fastest and most precise method.
Next Steps
If you're renewing an existing passport rather than just checking on one already submitted, see our guide to Pakistan Passport Renewal: Online Process, Documents & Fees. If you need your passport faster than the normal timeline, see Urgent Passport Pakistan: Fee, Process & Cities Available. Applying from outside Pakistan? See Overseas Pakistani Passport: How to Renew or Apply From Abroad.