Pakistan Goes All-In on E-Passports: October 14 Is Your Last Day to Apply for an MRP

Pakistan is about to close the book on the machine-readable passport. The Pakistan e-passport is now official, and from October 15, it becomes the only travel document issued to new applicants at every passport office in the country and at Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad.

The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) has issued a public notice confirming the switch. From Oct 15 every new passport application gets an e-passport. MRP applicants have until Oct 14 to apply.

That means the clock is ticking for anyone who still wants the older document. After October 14, no new machine-readable passport application will be accepted anywhere.

This is not a small administrative tweak. It is the final step of a transition that began in June, when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered the complete phase-out of machine-readable passports to eliminate fraud and forgery. Here is everything you need to know before the deadline.

Pakistan E-Passport: What Changes on October 15

The change comes straight from the top of the passport authority. According to the DGIP, citizens will be able to submit applications for new machine-readable passports only until October 14, 2026. From October 15 onward, applications will be processed exclusively for e-passports. The policy instructions have been conveyed to passport offices across Pakistan as well as Pakistani missions abroad through an official circular. (Source: https://en.dailyqudrat.pk/104254/)

The announcement was made public through diplomatic missions too. The Consulate General of Pakistan in New York issued a public notice on September 25, confirming that applicants seeking new passports on or after October 15 will be issued e-passports only. (Source: https://wenewsenglish.com/pakistan-to-introduce-e-passport-from-october-15-key-features-of-the-new-passport/)

If you already hold a machine-readable passport, do not panic. Existing MRPs will remain valid until their printed expiry dates. They will not suddenly become invalid on October 15. What changes is renewal: once your MRP expires, it will not be renewed as an MRP. You will be issued an e-passport instead.

This is the culmination of a process that started months ago. Chairing a meeting at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters in June 2026, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision to phase out machine-readable passports entirely, saying the complete transition would eliminate fraud and forgery. (Source: https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-to-stop-issuing-machine-readable-passports-from-october-15/)

The e-passport is not new to Pakistan. The facility has been available at passport offices across the country since August 2023, so millions of Pakistanis already carry one. The October 15 deadline simply ends the dual system and makes the electronic document the only option.

What an E-Passport Actually Is and Why It Is More Secure

Unlike a conventional machine-readable passport, an e-passport contains an electronic chip embedded in one of its pages. That chip is what makes all the difference.

According to the DGIP, the contactless NFC chip stores the information used to verify the holder's identity, including biometric data, personal information, facial details, a unique identification number and a digital signature. Border control systems and compatible smart devices can read this information wirelessly, without anyone having to open or stamp the document. (Source: https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/24-Sep-2026/no-more-new-mrps-after-october-14-as-pakistan-moves-fully-to-e-passports)

Pakistan's e-passports are designed according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Beyond the chip, they include security features such as chip-based data storage, laser engraving, and additional infrared and ultraviolet security elements that make forgery extremely difficult.

The biggest practical benefit for travellers is the e-gate. E-passport holders can use automated e-gate facilities at airports where the technology is available. Automated verification reduces reliance on manual immigration procedures and helps streamline border processing, which means shorter queues for Pakistani travellers.

For the state, the logic is straightforward. A chip that carries biometric data and a digital signature is far harder to fake than a printed page. By moving every new applicant to e-passports, Pakistan is aligning its travel documents with global standards and making life harder for the forgers and fraudsters the government has been chasing.

E-Passport Fees, Pages and Delivery Options

Switching to the e-passport also means switching to its fee structure, which is higher than the old MRP rates because of the embedded chip. The DGIP's published fee schedule, confirmed on its official passport information page, is as follows.

A 36-page e-passport valid for five years costs Rs9,000 under normal service and Rs15,000 under urgent service. Stretch the validity to ten years and the same 36-page booklet costs Rs13,500 normal or Rs22,500 urgent.

Frequent travellers usually need the bigger booklet. A 72-page e-passport valid for five years is priced at Rs16,500 normal and Rs27,000 urgent. The 72-page ten-year version costs Rs24,750 normal or Rs40,500 urgent. (Source: https://arynews.tv/e-passport-pakistan-announces-new-fee-structure-for-2026)

Which one should you pick? If you travel often for work or family, the 72-page ten-year option gives you the best value per year and saves you a repeat application. If you rarely leave the country, the 36-page five-year booklet keeps the cost down.

One important catch: fast-track delivery is not available for e-passports. Only the normal and urgent service tiers apply. Fast track, which delivers within two working days at select offices, exists only for the standard MRP, so it will disappear along with the MRP itself.

Payments have also gone fully digital. Cash payments have been discontinued at passport offices nationwide, and passport fees are now paid entirely through an online, cashless system. That means no more repeated visits to the office just to settle the fee.

What to Do Before October 14: A Simple Checklist

First, decide what you actually want. If you specifically prefer the older machine-readable passport, perhaps because it is cheaper or because you need fast-track delivery, apply no later than October 14. Passport offices are likely to see a rush as the deadline approaches, so do not leave it for the final day.

Second, if your current MRP is still valid, you can relax. It stays valid until its printed expiry date, and the new policy does not affect it. Just remember that when it expires, your next passport will be an e-passport, so budget for the higher fee and the slightly different process.

Third, overseas Pakistanis need to pay attention too. The same rule applies at all Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad, which will issue only e-passports for new applications from October 15. Check your nearest embassy or consulate's notice before you apply, since each mission has published its own guidance.

Fourth, beware of middlemen. Whenever a deadline like this appears, agents start promising "guaranteed MRP slots" or last-minute appointments for a fee. The DGIP has instructed its offices to inform applicants directly about the change, so rely on official channels only.

Finally, take care of the passport you have. If your passport is lost and needs reissuance, DGIP charges a penalty on top of the standard fee, double the fee for a first-time loss. With e-passport fees already higher than MRP rates, losing the document is now a more expensive mistake than ever.

The bottom line is simple. Pakistan's passport system is going fully electronic in ten days. Whether you rush for one last MRP or embrace the chip, make your move before October 14, because from October 15, the e-passport is the only game in town.

FAQs

Will my current machine-readable passport become invalid on October 15?

No, it will not. Existing MRPs remain valid until their printed expiry dates, and the new policy does not cancel them. What changes is issuance: from October 15, only e-passports are issued for new applications. When your MRP expires, you will apply for an e-passport rather than an MRP renewal.

What is the last date to apply for a new machine-readable passport?

October 14, 2026 is the final day. The DGIP will accept new MRP applications until that date at passport offices across Pakistan and at Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad. Any application submitted from October 15 onward will be processed exclusively as an e-passport.

What does the chip in an e-passport actually store?

The contactless NFC chip, embedded in one of the passport pages, stores your biometric data, personal information, facial details, a unique identification number and a digital signature. Border control systems and compatible devices can read it wirelessly. Pakistan's e-passports comply with ICAO standards and also carry laser engraving plus infrared and ultraviolet security features.

How much does an e-passport cost in Pakistan?

As per the DGIP fee schedule, a 36-page e-passport costs Rs9,000 (normal) or Rs15,000 (urgent) for five years, and Rs13,500 (normal) or Rs22,500 (urgent) for ten years. A 72-page e-passport costs Rs16,500 (normal) or Rs27,000 (urgent) for five years, and Rs24,750 (normal) or Rs40,500 (urgent) for ten years. Fast-track delivery is not offered for e-passports.

Do overseas Pakistanis have to switch to e-passports as well?

Yes. The October 15 rule applies equally at all Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad, which will issue only e-passports for new applications. The Consulate General of Pakistan in New York issued a public notice on September 25 confirming this. If you live abroad, check your nearest mission's notice before submitting an application.