Applying for a passport in Pakistan used to mean long lines and a lot of guessing. The e passport changed part of that, but it also brought new questions. How much does it actually cost? Is it really different from the green passport you already have? And can you even get one outside Islamabad these days?
This guide answers all of that using the actual fee chart and rules published by DGIP, the government department that handles passports in Pakistan. Everything below is current as of June 2026.
What Is an e Passport?
From the outside, an e-passport looks just like a regular Pakistani passport. The real difference is hidden inside. There’s a small electronic chip built into one of the pages, and that chip stores your photo, your personal details, and your fingerprints. It’s what makes the passport so much harder to copy or fake.
Pakistan rolled this out slowly. It started in 2022, but only for government and diplomatic passports. After that, it opened up to ordinary citizens living in Islamabad. Since August 16, 2023, though, any Pakistani citizen can apply for an e-passport, no matter which city they live in.
e Passport vs Normal Passport (MRP): What’s the Difference?
The regular passport most people already carry is called an MRP, short for Machine Readable Passport. It doesn’t have a chip. A machine just scans the printed code at the bottom of your photo page.
| Point | MRP (Normal Passport) | E-Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Chip inside | No | Yes |
| How it’s checked | Machine reads printed text | Machine reads the chip |
| Fingerprints stored on chip | No | Yes |
| e-Gate use at airports | No | Yes, at many airports worldwide |
| Harder to fake | Good | Even harder |
| Fee (36 pages, 5 years, normal) | Rs. 4,500 | Rs. 9,000 |
| Who should choose it | Anyone who wants a basic, cheaper passport | Frequent travelers, or anyone who wants extra security |
Basically, the extra money buys you two things: stronger security and access to e-Gates, those self-service lanes at bigger international airports where you just scan your passport and walk through instead of waiting in line for an officer.
A Quick Word on Passport Types
Pakistan issues three passport colors: green for ordinary citizens, blue for government officials, and red for diplomats. Worth knowing — the e-passport rollout actually started with the blue and red categories before it ever reached the green passport most of us carry.
Who Can Apply for an e Passport?
You don’t need any special permission. If you’re a Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC or NICOP, you’re eligible, whether this is your first passport, a renewal, a replacement for one that’s lost or damaged, or your old booklet has simply run out of pages. Kids can apply too, as long as a parent or legal guardian handles the paperwork.
e Passport Fee in Pakistan 2026 (Full Table)
This is probably why you’re here, so let’s get straight to the numbers. Below is the official fee table for the Ordinary e-Passport, taken directly from DGIP’s website.
e Passport Fee Table
| Pages | Validity | Normal Fee | Urgent Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 Pages | 5 Years | Rs. 9,000 | Rs. 15,000 |
| 36 Pages | 10 Years | Rs. 13,500 | Rs. 22,500 |
| 72 Pages | 5 Years | Rs. 16,500 | Rs. 27,000 |
| 72 Pages | 10 Years | Rs. 24,750 | Rs. 40,500 |
One thing that trips people up: Fast Track service, the option that gets you a passport in just 2 days, is not available for e-passports. If you genuinely need a passport in 2 days, you’d have to apply for the regular MRP instead.
MRP (Normal Passport) Fee Table, For Comparison
| Pages | Validity | Normal Fee | Urgent Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 Pages | 5 Years | Rs. 4,500 | Rs. 7,500 |
| 36 Pages | 10 Years | Rs. 6,700 | Rs. 11,200 |
| 72 Pages | 5 Years | Rs. 8,200 | Rs. 13,500 |
| 72 Pages | 10 Years | Rs. 12,400 | Rs. 20,200 |
| 100 Pages | 5 Years | Rs. 9,000 | Rs. 18,000 |
| 100 Pages | 10 Years | Rs. 13,500 | Rs. 27,000 |
These rates have held steady since March 2024 and are still what’s charged as of June 2026. That said, government fees can shift without much warning, so it’s worth a quick check on the official DGIP site right before you actually pay.
How Long Does It Actually Take?
| Service Type | Time to Get Your Passport | Available for E-Passport? |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 21 working days | Yes |
| Urgent | 5 working days | Yes |
| Fast Track | 2 working days | No |
Urgent is really your only “fast” option for an e-passport, since Fast Track isn’t on the table for it. And this is just processing time — if you live outside a major city, add a few extra days for the passport to actually travel by courier to your local office.
Documents You Need
If you’re 18 or older:
- Proof of fee payment (bank receipt or online payment confirmation with your PSID number)
- Original CNIC or NICOP, plus a photocopy
- Your old passport, if you’ve had one before
- An NOC (No Objection Certificate) — only if you work for the government
- Your foreign passport copy — only if you hold dual nationality
- A police report — only if your old passport was lost
If you’re applying for a child under 18:
- Child Registration Certificate (CRC) or Form B
- For kids 10 and older: an updated CRC with fingerprints, or a Juvenile Card
- Original CNICs of both parents
- One parent or a legal guardian present in person with the child
- Court custody papers, if the parents are separated or divorced
e Passport Photo Requirements
A surprising number of applications get sent back over photo issues alone, so it’s worth getting this right the first time.
| Photo Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35mm x 45mm (3.5cm x 4.5cm) |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows |
| Color | Full color, not black and white |
| Face size | Should fill about 70–80% of the frame |
| Expression | Neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Hats | Not allowed, except religious headwear |
| Smiling | Not allowed |
Honestly, the easiest way to get this right is to stand against a plain white wall in good daylight and avoid using flash that throws a shadow behind you.
How to Apply for an E-Passport Online, Step by Step
Here’s roughly how the process goes, start to finish:
- Start your application on the DGIP e-Services Portal and fill in your basic details.
- Choose e-passport as your category, then pick your page count (36 or 72) and validity (5 or 10 years).
- Pay the fee through the Passport Fee Asaan app or the e-Payment web portal. You’ll get a PSID number — save it, you’ll need it later.
- Head to a Regional Passport Office with your documents and payment receipt. You can actually walk into any office in the country; it doesn’t have to match the address on your CNIC.
- You’ll get a token number, and your photo gets taken right there.
- Next comes fingerprinting, which is what actually gets loaded onto your e-passport chip.
- An officer enters your details into the system. Check everything carefully on the printed form before you sign it.
- There’s a short interview with the Assistant Director, mostly just to confirm everything checks out.
- After that, it’s just waiting for your passport to be printed and sent to your office, or to your home address in some overseas cases.
How to Pay Your e Passport Fee
No need to stand in long bank queues anymore. You can pay through:
- The Passport Fee Asaan mobile app
- The DGIP e-Payment web portal
- Any 1-Link member bank, including National Bank of Pakistan
- ATMs, internet banking, JazzCash, or Easypaisa
Once you’ve paid, you’ll get a PSID number. Hold onto it; you’ll need to show it at the passport office.
How to Track Your e Passport
Once you’ve applied, checking on your passport doesn’t mean another trip to the office.
- SMS/Email Rabta Service: Give your mobile number or email when you submit your application, and you’ll get updates from short code 9988.
- Helpline: Call 051-111-344-777 (or 0092-51-111-344-777 if you’re outside Pakistan).
- Email: Write to info@dgip.gov.pk if you have a specific question.
You’ll also get a message the moment your passport leaves the production facility, so you’ll know it’s on its way to your office.
Benefits of an e Passport
Beyond the higher price tag, here’s what you’re actually getting for the extra money:
- Faster checks at e-Gates in many airports worldwide
- Much harder for anyone to copy or forge
- Built to meet international (ICAO) safety standards
- Accepted and trusted in over 150 countries
- Your fingerprints add an extra layer of identity proof
- A generally smoother immigration process overall
e Passport for Overseas Pakistanis
Living abroad changes a few things in your favor:
- You can renew your passport entirely online through the DGIP e-Services Portal
- Home delivery is available for overseas applicants in many cases
- You can apply or renew through your nearest Pakistani embassy or mission
- A few extra categories exist specifically for overseas Pakistanis beyond simple renewal
This makes the whole process a lot less painful if flying back to Pakistan just for a passport isn’t realistic.
Converting a Regular Passport (MRP) to an E-Passport
People ask about this a lot, and the answer is simpler than it sounds. There’s no separate “conversion” form. When your current MRP is due for renewal, or it’s lost, damaged, or full, you just apply as you normally would and pick e-passport instead of MRP as your category. Same documents, same office visit — you just pay the e-passport fee instead.
e Passport Login and the e-Services Portal
To apply online or check on a renewal, you’ll need an account on the DGIP e-Services Portal at onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk. Forgot your password? There’s a “Forgot Password” link right on the login page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an e passport available in Pakistan? Yes. It’s been available at every passport office across the country since August 16, 2023.
What is the fee for e passport in Pakistan in 2026? It starts at Rs. 9,000 for a normal, 5-year, 36-page e-passport. The full breakdown is in the table above.
What is the difference between an e passport and a normal passport? The e-passport has a chip storing your photo, details, and fingerprints, which makes it harder to fake and lets you use e-Gates at airports. A normal MRP doesn’t have that chip.
Who is eligible for an e passport? Any Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC or NICOP. Children can apply too, through a parent or guardian.
How do I get an e passport? Fill out the form online, pay the fee, then visit your nearest passport office with your documents for photo and fingerprint capture.
How many days does a normal e passport take in Pakistan? 21 working days for normal service, or 5 working days if you pay for urgent processing.
Is an e passport worth it in Pakistan? It costs more than a regular MRP, but you’re getting better security and e-Gate access at airports in return. If you travel often, or just want a passport that’s harder to forge, it’s usually worth the extra cost.
How do I get my passport urgently? Choose the Urgent option and pay the urgent fee. Just remember, Fast Track (the 2-day option) isn’t offered for e-passports, only for the regular MRP.
What is the duration (validity) of an e passport? You can pick either 5 years or 10 years, depending on which fee you pay.
Which documents are required for an e passport? Your CNIC or NICOP, fee payment proof, and your old passport if you have one. Children need a CRC or Form B along with their parents’ CNICs. The full list is above.
How fast can I get an e passport? The fastest option available for an e-passport is Urgent, which takes about 5 working days.
How do I convert my regular passport to an e passport? Apply for renewal, or a new passport if needed, and simply choose the e-passport category instead of MRP. No separate process required.
Before You Go
Getting an e passport in Pakistan really isn’t complicated once you know the steps. Pick your pages and validity, pay the right fee, gather your documents, and head to your nearest passport office. Everything in this guide, the fees, the steps, the rules, comes straight from official DGIP records and is current as of June 2026.