Passport Basics

E-Passport Pakistan: How to Apply & Key Benefits

Quick answer: Pakistan's e-passport is a chip-embedded biometric passport that meets ICAO standards. DGIP says e-passport issuance has been available at all field offices since 16 August 2023, and it is reported to be the only type issued for applications from 15 October 2026. Fees start at Rs. 9,000 (36 pages, 5 years, Normal). DGIP's fee page says Fast Track is not available for e-passport delivery.

Written by M. Junaid Masood · Updated 9 October 2026

passportstatus.pk is an independent, privately run informational resource — not affiliated with the Government of Pakistan or DGIP. Confirm current e-passport availability and fees at dgip.gov.pk.

What Makes It an "E-Passport"

The defining feature of an e-passport is the embedded electronic chip inside the booklet's cover, which stores the holder's personal data and biometric details in a format that can be verified electronically at border checkpoints. This is distinct from the older machine-readable passport (MRP), which relies solely on printed, scannable text rather than an embedded chip.

Pakistan's e-passport is a biometric travel document containing an embedded electronic chip that stores the holder's biographic and fingerprint data, aligning with ICAO international standards for machine-verifiable travel documents.

E-Passport vs MRP: Key Differences

Feature	E-Passport	MRP (Machine-Readable Passport)
Data Storage	Embedded electronic chip + printed data	Printed data only
Border Verification	Electronic chip read + visual	Visual/optical scan only
International Standard	Full ICAO e-passport compliance	Basic ICAO MRP compliance
Availability	Being expanded across offices	Still issued in some categories/locations

Key Benefits

Security

Harder to Forge

The embedded chip makes tampering and counterfeiting significantly more difficult than a printed-only document.

Speed

Faster Border Checks

Electronic verification can speed up immigration processing at e-gate-enabled airports and border posts.

Compliance

Full ICAO Standard

Meets the latest international travel document requirements, useful for visa-free and e-gate access schemes.

How to Apply for an E-Passport

Go to any passport office or mission. DGIP says e-passports are available at all field offices. If your old passport has expired or has under a year left, you can also renew online.
Get your photo and QR-code token at the counter, then give your fingerprints. See our documents checklist for what to bring.
Check your data entry and give a mobile number for 9988 status alerts.
Pass the ECL/Black List check and the interview.
Pay the e-passport fee by scanning the token's QR code; see the fee list.
Collect on the given date with your original token; see our status guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the e-passport more expensive than the regular MRP passport?

Yes. A 36-page, 5-year e-passport costs Rs. 9,000 Normal or Rs. 15,000 Urgent, against Rs. 4,500 or Rs. 7,500 for the MRP. See the full fee list.

Can I upgrade my existing MRP passport to an e-passport before it expires?

Reports of DGIP's directive say existing MRPs stay valid until expiry, so you get an e-passport at your next renewal. DGIP's online portal accepts renewals once validity is under one year.

Does the e-passport have a different validity period than the MRP?

Both formats generally offer the same 5-year and 10-year validity choices; the format itself doesn't change the validity options available to you.

Back to the Pakistani passport overview. Applying for the first time? See how to apply for a new passport.

Sources

Official sources checked 9 October 2026.