Pakistan is preparing to make a major change to its passport system. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) is set to stop issuing new Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) from October 15, 2026. After that date, new applicants will receive e-Passports instead.
According to reports published on September 24, applicants can still apply for an MRP until October 14. However, MRPs issued before the deadline will remain valid until they expire. After expiry, they will not be renewed, and holders will need to apply for an e-Passport.
What Is Changing for Passport Applicants?
The new policy will gradually move Pakistan away from traditional machine-readable passports. Instead, the country will rely on its electronic passport system. DGI&P has already made e-Passport services available at passport offices across Pakistan.
The department’s official website also lists “E-Passport Replace Ordinary Passport” among its available services. Other reforms include cashless fee payments and home delivery, making the passport process more convenient for applicants.
Pakistan’s e-Passport includes an electronic chip that stores the holder’s biometric and personal information. According to DGI&P, the document follows International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and provides enhanced security for international travel.
What Happens to Existing MRPs?
Existing machine-readable passports will not become invalid immediately because of the new policy. MRPs issued before October 15, 2026, can continue to be used until their stated expiry date.
Once an MRP expires, however, it will not be renewed under the reported policy. The passport holder will then need to apply for an e-Passport.
The change is part of a wider effort to modernize Pakistan’s passport services. In June, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced plans for a complete transition to the e-Passport system. The planned reforms also include cashless passport offices, online applications through the PakID App, and home delivery of passports.
What Pakistani Applicants Should Know
Anyone planning to apply for a new passport should keep the October 15 deadline in mind. Applicants who want an MRP reportedly have until October 14 to submit their application.
After the transition, new passport applications are expected to be processed as e-Passports. Since the change is approaching, applicants should check the latest information from DGI&P before submitting their applications.
The e-Passport system is already available across Pakistan. The reported October 15 transition will further expand its use as the government moves toward a fully electronic passport system.
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