Pakistan Passport 2023: The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining and Renewing Your Passport

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated September 2023

The Pakistan passport serves as a fundamental travel document enabling its bearers to traverse international borders. While symbolic of citizenship and identity, its pages harbor the potential for worldwide exploration, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, spanning tourism, business, and diplomacy.

Keep reading this comprehensive account, compiled by Wego, for the ultimate guide on the Pakistan passport – all in one place.

Pakistan passport components

The components of a Pakistan passport are:

1. Cover: The cover of the ordinary passport is dark green in color and has the words “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” in English and Urdu and the national emblem of Pakistan in gold. It also has the word “Passport” in English and Urdu and the international symbol for a passport in gold. The cover also indicates the type of passport, such as diplomatic, official, or ordinary.
2. Personal data page: The personal data page is located at the beginning of the passport and contains the biographic and biometric information of the passport holder. It has a laminated surface and a machine-readable zone at the bottom. It also has a digital signature that verifies the authenticity and integrity of the data. The personal data page includes the following information :
   • Passport number
   • Type
   • Code
   • Surname
   • Given names
   • Nationality
   • Date of birth
   • Sex
   • Place of birth
   • Date of issue
   • Date of expiry
   • Authority
   • Signature of bearer
   • Photo of bearer
   • Fingerprint of bearer (right thumb)
3. Visa pages: The visa pages are located after the personal data page and contain the stamps and stickers of the visas issued by other countries to the passport holder. The visa pages have various security features, such as watermarks, holograms, micro printing, and fluorescent ink. The visa pages also display various landmarks, landscapes, and wildlife of Pakistan, such as Minar-e-Pakistan, K2 mountain, and Markhor goat.
4. End notes page: The end notes page is located at the end of the passport and contains some important information and instructions for the passport holder and the authorities. It has the following information :
   • A request from the Government of Pakistan to allow the passport holder to pass freely and to afford them assistance and protection.
   • A declaration from the passport holder that they are a citizen of Pakistan and that they have not lost or renounced their citizenship.
   • A warning that the passport is valid only for travel to countries for which it is endorsed and that it is subject to the laws and regulations of Pakistan and other countries.
   • A notice that the passport holder must report any loss, theft, or damage of the passport to the nearest Pakistan mission or DGI&P office.
   • A reminder that the passport holder must obtain a new passport before the expiry date or when the visa pages are exhausted.
   • A statement that any unauthorized changes or alterations to the passport may render it invalid and punishable by law.

Pakistan passport requirements & important documents

For ages 18 & above

1. Paid passport fee proof [Original Bank Fee Challan (receipt) or e-Payment Confirmation Detail (SMS/Email with PSID No.)]
2. Original valid CNIC/NICOP with a photocopy
3. Previous passport – original and its photocopy (if issued)
4. NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the concerned department in case of government, semi-government or autonomous body employees
5. Foreign passport along with its photocopy (for dual-nationals only)
6. For lost passports, bring a police report referencing the previous passport number.

For under 18/Minor

1. Proof of paid passport fee through Original Bank Paid Fee Challan (receipt) or e-Payment Confirmation Detail (SMS/Email with PSID No.).
2. The original Child Registration Certificate (CRC/Form “B”) or FRC (Family Registration Certificate) or Smart Card with a photocopy.
3. Present original valid CNICs or passports of both parents along with photocopies
4. The minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian appointed by the court, along with the original valid CNIC/NICOP of the parent/guardian.
5. If parents are separated/divorced, bring court-issued custody papers.
6. If a minor’s parents are divorced or separated, and only one parent applies for the passport, explicit permission is needed through the other parent’s presence or consent on duly attested non-judicial stamp paper 
7. For guardians, provide a court-issued guardianship certificate; the appointed guardian must visit the passport office with the minor, along with their original CNIC and its photocopy.
8. For dual nationals, provide a foreign passport and copy.
9. If a parent is deceased, bring the original death certificate and a photocopy.
10. For lost passports, provide a lost passport police report mentioning the previous passport number.

Note: In case of any doubt about national status and antecedents’ particulars, additional documents may be required.

Pakistan passport application

Application at the Regional Passport Office/Pakistan Mission Abroad

An applicant has to go through the following steps at Regional Passport Offices in Pakistan and Pakistan Missions abroad to obtain the Machine Readable Passport (MRP):

1. Arrive at Customer Service Counter.
2. Fee verification.
3. Capturing of photograph.
4. Token issuance.
5. Biometrics/fingerprint capture.
6. Data entry.
7. Verification as per Office Record. (ECL/BL)
8. Interview and decision by Assistant Director.
9. Passport delivery (collection of passport)

Below is the schedule for token issuance in the Regional Passport Office/Executive Passport Offices and Passport Processing Counters:

• Monday to Thursday: 08:00 am – 01:00 pm
• Friday: 08:00 am – 12:00 pm

For more details regarding the application for a Pakistan passport via office or mission abroad, visit the DGI&P website.

Online application 

Here are the steps for applying online for a Pakistan passport:

1. Visit the official website.
2. Create an account or log in.
3. Choose the application type.
4. Fill out the online form.
5. Upload required documents.
6. Pay the fee online.
7. Select the delivery method.
8. Book an appointment (if needed).
9. Review and submit.
10. Receive a tracking ID.
11. Undergo biometric verification (if required).
12. Wait for processing.
13. Check the status using the tracking ID.
14. Receive the passport at the chosen location.

For further information, refer to the DGI&P official website, which highlights all the essentials you need to know for the said method of application.

Pakistan passport processing time

For a Machine Readable Passport, here are the processing times based on the application’s priority:

• Normal: 10-15 working days
• Urgent: 4-5 working days
• Fast track: 2 working days

Visit Wego’s article for details on passport processing times corresponding to their types:

Pakistan passport validity

The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports will issue the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) subject to the fee deposited in the bank, valid for:

• Five years
• Ten years

Note: Minors below 15 years of age are not entitled to ten-year validity passports thus, a five-year validity passport would be issued to them.

Pakistan passport tracking

There are three ways you can check the status of your Pakistan passport: 

• SMS-based passport tracking intimation system:

Through this service via SMS 9988, you can stay informed through the various stages of printing and shipment/delivery of your passports on your provided cell phone number.

• Email from 9988:

Your accurate email address must be provided at the application time so that you can receive an email from 9988 on your passport status.

• Email Rabta Service:

The purpose of “Email Rabta Service” is to provide overseas Pakistanis with timely updates on the status of their passport applications through the email addresses they have provided.

Pakistan passport fees

The expense associated with acquiring a Pakistan passport can vary based on passport type, page count, duration of validity, and the chosen delivery mode. 

For a better understanding of the costs of Pakistan passports, as well as associated delivery charges, please explore Wego’s detailed breakdown covering everything from new to lost passports.

Pakistan passport benefits

The mentioned points present some of the pros of having a Pakistan passport:

• It serves as an official proof of identity and citizenship within Pakistan and abroad. 
• It can be used to access various government services and facilities, such as education, health, and social security.
• It allows the passport holder to travel internationally for various purposes, such as tourism, business, education, and family visits. 
• It enables one to seek consular assistance and protection from Pakistan missions abroad in case of any emergency or difficulty.
• It grants the passport holder visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 countries and territories. 
• It also permits applying for an e-visa or a visa-on-arrival in some countries that have valid multiple entry visas or permanent residency permits in certain European countries, Canada, USA, GCC states or Australia.
• It reflects the cultural and historical heritage of Pakistan and symbolizes a sense of belonging alongside the ability to participate in global affairs.

Pakistan passport ranking 2023

The Pakistan passport, positioned at 104th place globally, continues to grapple with travel limitations due to political, security, and economic hurdles. With the privilege of visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, or ETA eligibility in merely 33 countries, it reflects the ongoing challenges the nation faces. However, an awareness of these limitations underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to improve its global standing and enhance travel opportunities for its citizens.

Pakistan passport visa-free countries

There are 11 countries to which Pakistan passport holders do not require any visa or documentation for travel. These are given as:

1. Barbados
2. Cook Islands
3. Dominica
4. Haiti
5. Micronesia
6. Montserrat
7. Niue
8. Rwanda
9. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
10. Trinidad and Tobago
11. Vanuatu

For a complete list of visa-free countries organized by continent, please consult our article.

Pakistan passport visa on arrival countries

21 countries extend Pakistanis the amenity of obtaining their visa upon arrival at the airport or border crossing point of the destination country. VOA for Pakistan passport holders can be acquired from these countries:

1. Burundi
2. Cambodia
3. Cape Verde Islands
4. Comoro Islands
5. Djibouti
6. Guinea-Bissau
7. Madagascar
8. Maldives
9. Mauritania
10. Mozambique
11. Nepal
12. Palau Islands
13. Qatar
14. Samoa
15. Senegal
16. Seychelles
17. Sierra Leone
18. Somalia
19. Timor-Leste
20. Togo
21. Tuvalu

For a complete list of VOA countries for Pakistan passport holders, please consult our article:

Pakistan passport ETA countries 

Sri Lanka is the only country that requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) document from Pakistanis who possess a Pakistani passport.