Pakistani national flags flying at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore

Pakistan Machine-Readable Passports End October 15: What Changes and E-Passport Fees

Last updated: Sep 28, 2026

Pakistan will stop issuing machine-readable passports (MRPs) from October 15, 2026, so every new passport application from that date, at home or at embassies abroad, will be issued as an e-passport. October 14 is the last day to apply for an MRP, Gulf News reports.

If you already hold a valid MRP, you don’t need to replace it. It stays valid until the expiry date printed on it.

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What Changes on October 15

New applications: issued as e-passports only, at passport offices in Pakistan and at Pakistani embassies and consulates.
Existing MRPs: remain valid until their printed expiry date.
Renewals: once your MRP expires, you will be issued an e-passport instead.
Last day for an MRP: October 14, 2026.

The switch follows a June 19, 2026 meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters in Islamabad, which approved moving fully to e-passports to curb fraud and forgery, Radio Pakistan reported.

E-Passport Fees in Pakistan

36 pages, 5 years: Rs9,000 normal, Rs15,000 urgent
36 pages, 10 years: Rs13,500 normal, Rs22,500 urgent
72 pages, 5 years: Rs16,500 normal, Rs27,000 urgent
72 pages, 10 years: Rs24,750 normal, Rs40,500 urgent

These are the fees at passport offices in Pakistan, according to the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P). Until October 14, an MRP is still available and costs about half as much: Rs4,500 normal or Rs7,500 urgent for 36 pages and five years.

If You Apply in the UAE or Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai have issued only e-passports since July 20, 2026, so the October 14 date does not apply there, Khaleej Times reports. The embassy’s fees are:

UAE, 5 years: AED145 normal and AED235 urgent for 36 pages; AED260 and AED425 for 72 pages
UAE, 10 years: AED215 normal and AED355 urgent for 36 pages; AED390 and AED635 for 72 pages
Saudi Arabia, 5 years: SAR150 normal and SAR250 urgent for 36 pages; SAR225 and SAR370 for 72 pages
Saudi Arabia, 10 years: SAR275 normal and SAR445 urgent for 36 pages; SAR410 and SAR665 for 72 pages

The Saudi fees are from the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah. Fees can differ between missions, so check your own embassy or consulate’s fee page before you apply.

How to Pay at Passport Offices in Pakistan

Passport offices in Pakistan are fully cashless. You pay by scanning the Raast QR code on your token with a banking or wallet app such as JazzCash or EasyPaisa, and DGI&P no longer accepts IBFT or PSID payments, ProPakistani reports. Read more in our guide to Pakistan’s passport payment rules.

Flying home?

Once your new passport arrives, our guide to Pakistan passport renewal online covers the next steps.

See flights to Pakistan

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to replace my machine-readable passport before October 15?

No. MRPs issued before October 15, 2026 remain valid until their stated expiry dates. You only switch to an e-passport when your current passport needs renewing. The embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised MRP holders with more than six months of validity to renew only when their passport is six months from expiring. You still need to meet the passport validity rules of the country you are visiting.

I live abroad. Can I renew my passport online?

Yes. Overseas Pakistanis can apply for renewals and pay fees online through the DGI&P e-services portal. From October 15, renewals are issued as e-passports. See our step-by-step guide to Pakistan passport renewal online.

How long does a Pakistani passport take?

Normal passports are delivered in 14 days, down from 21, since April 30, 2026. A Fast Track service, available in dozens of cities, processes urgent applications within two working days, Gulf News reports.

Can I get my passport delivered to my home?

Yes. DGI&P and the courier company TCS launched a nationwide home delivery service in July 2026, so you can receive your passport at your chosen address instead of collecting it, The Express Tribune reports.

What is an e-passport?

An e-passport has a contactless chip that stores your facial image, personal details, a unique identification number and a digital signature, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, according to DGI&P. The chip makes the passport harder to forge.

What documents do I need to apply for an e-passport?

Adults need their CNIC, or NICOP if they live abroad, and their old passport when renewing. For children, bring the Child Registration Certificate (B-Form) and both parents’ CNICs, according to DGI&P’s passport requirements.

Should I apply for an MRP before October 14 to save money?

Only if you are applying in Pakistan and need a passport anyway. A 36-page, five-year MRP costs Rs4,500 normal against Rs9,000 for the same e-passport. You cannot get an MRP at the UAE missions, which switched to e-passports on July 20.

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