# Pakistan e-passport system transition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pakistan-e-passport-system-transition
> Updated: 2026-10-23T17:00:10.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Pakistan is transitioning its travel document system from machine-readable passports to electronic passports (e-passports) containing biometric microchips. Initially announced as a transition starting October 15, 2026, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports confirmed that while existing machine-readable passports remain valid until their expiration, only the new electronic versions will be issued moving forward. 

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary informed the National Assembly that the new system is intended to enhance security, strengthen identity verification, and prevent forgery. This transition includes a significant increase in costs; for example, the standard fee for a five-year, 36-page passport is set to rise from Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 9,000, and urgent processing fees will double from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000.

As of late October 2026, the issuance of e-passports has officially launched both domestically and through diplomatic missions worldwide. The initiative aims to align Pakistan’s travel documents with international security standards. 

In the United Arab Emirates, Pakistani residents face a revised fee schedule. Fees for five-year e-passports range from AED 145 to AED 425, while ten-year machine-readable passports range from AED 215 to AED 635, depending on page count and urgency. Additionally, applicants replacing lost passports will incur penalties of double or quadruple the standard fees, depending on the frequency of loss.

## Claims

- Existing machine-readable passports remain valid until their printed expiry dates. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Pakistan has launched e-passport services domestically and at diplomatic missions worldwide. (single source)
- In the UAE, 5-year e-passport normal fees range from AED 145 for 36 pages to AED 260 for 72 pages. (single source)
- 10-year machine-readable passport urgent fees in the UAE can reach AED 635. (single source)
- A first-time lost passport replacement incurs twice the applicable fee. (single source)
- A second lost passport attracts a charge of four times the standard fee. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Pakistan launches e-passport issuance and updates UAE fees

Pakistan has launched e-passport issuance globally. Pakistani citizens in the UAE face a new fee schedule for 5-year e-passports and 10-year MRPs, with payments required in UAE dirhams.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-launches-global-e-passport-rollout

### 2026-10-16: Pakistan to transition exclusively to e-passports

Pakistan will stop issuing machine-readable passports within a month, moving to e-passports with enhanced security features and doubled fees for standard and urgent processing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-to-transition-exclusively-to-e-passports

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Cite as: Pakistan e-passport system transition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pakistan-e-passport-system-transition