How to Apply for E-Passport in Pakistan

Quick Answer

Apply at designated e-passport-enabled passport offices in major cities. The e-passport contains an electronic chip storing your biometric data, photograph, and personal information — meeting ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. It offers enhanced security and faster immigration processing at international airports.

What Makes the E-Passport Different

Pakistan's e-passport is the next-generation travel document, replacing the older MRP (Machine Readable Passport). The embedded chip allows automated identity verification at e-gates in international airports, reducing immigration queues from 15 minutes to under 60 seconds. More importantly, many countries are moving toward requiring chip-enabled passports for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access — Pakistan's e-passport positions citizens for these evolving requirements.

For standard passport renewal: online renewal guide. To understand processing speed options: normal vs urgent vs fast track. For fee payment: Passport Asaan App.

Where and How to Apply for E-Passport

The process for this passport service follows DGIP's standard workflow. Visit the DGIP portal or your nearest passport office to initiate. Always verify current requirements on the official DGIP website as procedures can change.

Verify current fees and timelines. DGIP updates passport fees and processing times periodically. The figures in this guide are based on the latest available information — always confirm on the DGIP portal or Passport Asaan App before paying.

E-Passport Limitations to Understand

  • Not all passport offices issue e-passports yet — check which offices in your city are e-passport enabled before visiting.
  • E-passport fees are higher than standard MRP — budget accordingly.
  • The chip must be protected — bending or cracking the passport can damage the chip, making it unreadable at e-gates.
  • Not all countries have e-gate facilities — the e-passport still works as a standard passport at manual immigration counters.

E-Passport — Applicant Queries

MRP (Machine Readable Passport) has a machine-readable strip but no electronic chip. The e-passport adds an embedded chip storing biometric data, allowing automated verification at e-gates. Both are valid travel documents, but e-passports offer faster processing and enhanced security.

E-passports are currently issued at select passport offices in major cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar). Not all regional offices have the e-passport issuance capability yet. Check with DGIP for the current list of enabled offices.

Yes. E-passport fees are higher than standard MRP fees due to the chip technology. The exact premium varies — check current rates on the DGIP portal or Passport Asaan App.

Yes. Existing MRP passports remain valid until their expiry date. You don't need to replace them with e-passports — the switch happens at renewal. MRP passports are accepted worldwide.