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Updated March 2024
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.
Table of Contents
Pakistan passport components
Image © DGI&P/Facebook
The components of a Pakistan passport are:
- cover: The cover of the ordinary passport is dark green, with the words “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” in English and Urdu, and the national emblem of Pakistan is 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
- 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)
- 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 Pakistan’s landmarks, landscapes, and wildlife, such as Minar-e-Pakistan, K2 mountain, and Markhor goat
- 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
- paid passport fee proof [Original Bank Fee Challan (receipt) or e-Payment Confirmation Detail (SMS/Email with PSID No.)]
- original valid CNIC/NICOP with a photocopy
- previous passport – original and its photocopy (if issued)
- NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the concerned department in case of government, semi-government or autonomous body employees
- foreign passport along with its photocopy (for dual-nationals only)
- for lost passports, bring a police report referencing the previous passport number.
For under 18/Minor
- proof of paid passport fee through Original Bank Paid Fee Challan (receipt) or e-Payment Confirmation Detail (SMS/Email with PSID No.)
- the original Child Registration Certificate (CRC/Form “B”), FRC (Family Registration Certificate), or Smart Card with a photocopy.
- present original valid CNICs or passports of both parents, along with photocopies
- 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
- if parents are separated/divorced, bring court-issued custody papers
- 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
- 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
- for dual nationals, provide a foreign passport and copy
- if a parent is deceased, bring the original death certificate and a photocopy
- 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):
- arrive at the Customer Service Counter
- fee verification
- capturing of photograph
- token issuance
- biometrics/fingerprint capture
- data entry
- verification as per Office Record. (ECL/BL)
- interview and decision by the Assistant Director
- 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:
- visit the official website
- create an account or log in
- choose the application type
- fill out the online form
- upload required documents
- pay the fee online
- select the delivery method
- book an appointment (if needed)
- review and submit
- receive a tracking ID
- undergo biometric verification (if required)
- wait for processing
- check the status using the tracking ID
- 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, which is valid for five or ten years.
Do note that minors under 15 are not entitled to ten-year-validity passports; thus, they would be issued a five-year passport.
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 time of application so that you can receive an email from 9988 about 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.
To better understand the costs of Pakistan passports and 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 is an official proof of identity and citizenship in 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 33 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 2024
The Pakistan passport, positioned at 106th place globally, continues to grapple with travel limitations due to political, security, and economic hurdles. The privilege of visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, or ETA eligibility in 34 countries reflects the nation’s ongoing challenges. 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 17 countries in which Pakistani passport holders do not require any visa or documentation for travel. These are given as:
- Gambia
- Seychelles
- San Marino (conditional)
- Svalbard (conditional)
- Andorra (conditional)
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Haiti
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Montserrat
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Niue
- Cook Islands
- Vanuatu
- Micronesia
- Tuvalu
- Bermuda (conditional)
Please consult our article for a complete list of visa-free countries organized by continent.
Pakistan passport visa on arrival countries
19 countries extend Pakistanis the amenity of obtaining their visa upon arrival at the destination country’s airport or border crossing point. VOA for Pakistan passport holders can be acquired from these countries:
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Palau
- Pitcairn Islands
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- 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 requiring an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) document from Pakistanis with a Pakistani passport.
Pakistan E-Passport
The E-Passport is an innovative measure recently introduced by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport. Smart gates are slated for installation soon at major international airports in the country, such as Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Travellers with e-passports can enjoy expedited immigration procedures by utilising these smart gates.
In the subsequent phase, the government aims to extend this facility to Pakistani embassies globally, including those in Europe and America.
This new system introduces nominal fixed charges for various passport categories based on their differing expiry dates.
The charges are detailed below for an inland passport application, inclusive of service charges and taxes:
For a five-year passport:
- 36 pages: PKR 5,500
- 36 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 8,500
- 72 pages: PKR 9,200
- 72 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 14,500
- 100 pages: PKR 10,000
- 100 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 19,000
For a ten-year passport:
- 36 pages: PKR 7,700
- 36 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 12,200
- 72 pages: PKR 13,400
- 72 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 21,200
- 100 pages: PKR 14,500
- 100 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 28,000
Meanwhile, the following are the charges for an overseas passport application, inclusive of service charges and taxes:
For a five-year passport:
- 36 pages: PKR 7,000
- 36 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 10,000
- 72 pages: PKR 10,700
- 72 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 16,000
- 100 pages: PKR 11,500
- 100 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 20,500
For a ten-year passport:
- 36 pages: PKR 9,200
- 36 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 13,700
- 72 pages: PKR 14,900
- 72 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 22,700
- 100 pages: PKR 16,000
- 100 pages urgent e-passport: PKR 29,500
