Apply for E-Passport in Pakistan (2026)

Q: Will my existing MRP still work or do I need to upgrade to e-Passport?

Existing MRP works fully until expiry. No requirement to upgrade. You can continue using MRP for international travel throughout its validity. When your MRP expires (or earlier if you choose), the renewal decision includes whether to go to e-Passport or another MRP. Many Pakistanis are gradually transitioning to e-Passport as their MRPs expire, but there's no deadline forcing the transition.

Q: How much more does e-Passport cost than MRP?

Substantially more — varies but approximately 2-3x the MRP fee for equivalent validity and pages. Specific current amounts are best verified through DGIP's official fee schedule since pricing has been adjusted periodically since launch. The premium reflects the additional technology, security, and production complexity of e-Passports.

Q: Are e-Passports issued at every passport office in Pakistan?

Not yet. E-Passport capability rolled out to Mega Passport Offices first and is progressively expanding to other offices. Major cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, etc.) have e-Passport-enabled offices. Smaller cities and rural areas may still only issue MRPs. Travelling to a capable office may be needed for those in non-served areas.

Q: Can I have both an e-Passport and an MRP at the same time?

Not simultaneously as the primary Pakistani passport. You hold one Pakistani passport at a time. NICOP (for overseas Pakistanis) can coexist with CNIC, but the regular Pakistani passport (whether MRP or e-Passport) is singular. Renewing transitions from the old to the new; you don't hold both concurrently.

The Pakistani e-Passport — electronic passport — is the latest generation of Pakistani travel document, introduced publicly in 2022-2023 timeframe to bring Pakistan in line with international standards for biometric travel documents. Unlike the MRP (Machine Readable Passport) which uses printed machine-readable zones, the e-Passport contains an embedded RFID chip storing biometric data, digital photograph, fingerprint templates, and other passport information in a cryptographically-secured format. The e-Passport works alongside MRP — both remain valid Pakistani passports — but represents the direction of international travel documentation. This guide covers e-Passport application, what makes it different, and when it matters.

E-Passport vs MRP — key differences

What sets the e-Passport apart:

Embedded chip — e-Passport contains an RFID chip (visible as small contact pads or embedded silicon). MRP has no chip; all information is printed and machine-readable through OCR.
Cryptographic security — chip data is digitally signed by the issuing country. Tampering or counterfeiting requires breaking cryptographic protocols rather than just replicating printed features.
Biometric data embedded — fingerprint templates and digital photograph stored on the chip enable automated biometric verification at immigration counters. MRP relies on visual matching against the printed photograph.
Stronger anti-fraud — significantly more difficult to counterfeit convincingly. Multiple security layers must be breached.
Faster automated processing — at airports with e-Passport readers (most major international airports), automated gates work faster with e-Passports. MRP requires manual stamping by officers.
Compliance with ICAO Doc 9303 — international standard for machine-readable travel documents. E-Passports meet the latest ICAO specifications.
Same physical appearance mostly — e-Passport looks similar to MRP with small visual indicators of the chip (international e-Passport symbol on cover).
Higher cost — e-Passport fees are substantially higher than MRP fees because of the additional technology and security infrastructure.
Same validity periods — 5 or 10 year options like MRP.

When e-Passport makes sense vs MRP

Decision factors:

Frequent international travellers benefit most from e-Passport — faster automated processing at major airports, compatibility with biometric self-service kiosks worldwide.
Premium destinations — travel to countries with advanced immigration infrastructure (EU, UK, US, Australia, Singapore, etc.) — e-Passport provides smoother experience.
Business travellers — time saved at immigration across many trips adds up to significant value.
Long-term passport — since e-Passport will likely be the standard going forward, obtaining one now provides 10-year alignment with future trends.
Occasional travellers — MRP remains fully functional for occasional international travel. Cost-benefit may favour MRP for limited use.
Cost-conscious decisions — substantial fee difference between e-Passport and MRP may push budget-conscious travellers toward MRP.
Specific country requirements — some countries are starting to require e-Passports for specific visa categories or visa-free entry. Check destination country's current requirements.
Hajj/Umrah travel — Saudi Arabia accepts both, but e-Passport may have specific advantages at biometric checkpoints during religious pilgrimage seasons.

E-Passport application process

Verify e-Passport availability at your nearest passport office
Not all DGIP offices issue e-Passports yet. Major Mega Passport Offices in big cities typically have e-Passport capability; smaller regional offices may not. Check DGIP website or call ahead to confirm capability for your specific area.
Choose between e-Passport and MRP
Decision based on factors discussed above. Both are valid options; pick what suits your situation.
Apply through DGIP portal or Passport Asaan App
Select 'e-Passport' as document type during application. Fee amount adjusts to e-Passport pricing. Documentation requirements are similar to MRP but with some enhancements.
Submit photograph and required documents
Online upload of compliant photograph, CNIC details, any supporting documents. E-Passport processing has stricter photo quality requirements than MRP.
Pay the e-Passport fee
Higher fee than MRP. Specific amounts vary by validity period (5/10 year), pages (36/72), and processing speed. Pay through wallet, card, or banking channels.
Book biometric appointment at e-Passport-capable office
Specifically choose an office with e-Passport capability. Online appointment booking may filter to capable offices when e-Passport is selected.
Attend biometric appointment
Enhanced biometric capture for e-Passport: more detailed fingerprints, higher-resolution photograph, iris scan in some configurations. Standard documentation verification.
Track and receive e-Passport
Track through DGIP portal with passport tracking number. Processing time similar to MRP though slight additional steps for chip personalisation. Receive by post or collect from office.

What's stored on the e-Passport chip

The chip contents:

Personal information — name, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number — same data visible on the printed pages.
Digital photograph — high-resolution version of the passport photograph stored digitally. Enables automated facial recognition at biometric gates.
Fingerprint templates — mathematical representations of fingerprints, not the actual fingerprint images. Allows verification without exposing raw biometric data.
Iris data in some configurations — iris pattern templates for additional biometric verification capability.
Issuing authority data — country of issue, issuing office, validity dates.
Cryptographic signatures — country-specific digital signatures proving the data is genuinely from Pakistan's issuing authority. Tampering would invalidate the signatures.
Access control data — technical elements ensuring only authorised readers (immigration systems with proper authentication) can access the chip contents.
What's NOT on the chip: medical information, financial data, criminal records, travel history, or other broad personal data. The chip is specifically about identity verification, not comprehensive personal records.

Using e-Passport at international borders

The travel experience difference:

Automated gates — major international airports have automated immigration gates designed for e-Passports. Scan passport, look at camera, fingerprint verification, gate opens. Total time often under 30 seconds.
Smart kiosks — self-service kiosks at departure points enable check-in without counter visits. E-Passport data flows seamlessly.
Standard counters — e-Passports also work at standard immigration counters. Officers can scan the chip in addition to manual verification for enhanced confidence.
Visa-on-arrival facilities — for countries offering Pakistanis visa-on-arrival, e-Passport may enable faster processing at the visa counter.
Transit convenience — transit through e-Passport-enabled airports is smoother with e-Passport.
MRP still works at all airports — e-Passport offers additional convenience but doesn't replace the basic functionality of MRP. Both Pakistani passport types remain valid international travel documents.

E-Passport — common questions

Will my existing MRP still work or do I need to upgrade to e-Passport?

Can the chip in e-Passport be hacked or read by unauthorized parties?

Difficult but not absolutely impossible. The chip uses access control protocols requiring specific authentication before revealing data. Casual scanning by random RFID readers doesn't typically succeed. Sophisticated attacks on chip infrastructure have been researched globally but rarely operationalised. For extra protection, RFID-blocking passport sleeves are available commercially and prevent any chip access until removed from the sleeve.

How much more does e-Passport cost than MRP?

Are e-Passports issued at every passport office in Pakistan?

If my e-Passport chip becomes damaged, does the passport stop working?

Partial failure scenario. The printed information on physical pages remains valid for visual verification at manual immigration counters. Automated gates requiring chip reading may fail. The practical impact depends on where you're using the passport. If chip damage is significant, replacement passport (new e-Passport) is the proper solution. Treat e-Passports somewhat more carefully than MRPs to protect the chip.

Can I have both an e-Passport and an MRP at the same time?

Closing note on the e-Passport transition

Pakistan's e-Passport rollout follows a global trend — most developed countries now issue e-Passports as standard, and developing countries are progressively transitioning. Over the next decade, e-Passports will likely become the dominant Pakistani passport type with MRPs progressively retired as they expire.

For Pakistanis whose passports are due for renewal, considering e-Passport alongside MRP is worthwhile. The premium pricing offsets against years of smoother international travel experience. For occasional travellers with budget constraints, MRP remains a fully functional option.

E-Passport features, application procedures and office availability described above reflect DGIP's operational state as of early 2026. Specific aspects evolve — verify current details through the official DGIP portal before applying.