Pakistan is set to make a major change to its passport system, with the Directorate General Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) preparing to stop issuing new Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) from October 15, 2026.
According to a report by Samaa News cited in the original report, passport authorities will issue only e-Passports to applicants from October 15 onward.
The change will mark a further shift toward digital travel documentation and is expected to make e-Passports the standard option for new passport applicants in Pakistan.
New MRPs Available Until October 14
Applicants who still want to obtain a new Machine-Readable Passport will have until October 14, 2026 to submit their applications under the existing system.
From October 15, DGI&P will stop issuing new MRPs and move entirely to e-Passports for new applications.
This means people planning international travel or requiring a new passport are being advised to take the upcoming change into account when applying for their travel documents.
The transition is part of the government’s broader move toward electronic passport services and modern travel-document systems.
Existing MRPs Will Not Be Renewed
The policy will also affect people who currently hold Machine-Readable Passports.
According to the reported decision, existing MRPs may continue to be used until they expire, but they will not be renewed after expiry.
Passport holders whose MRPs are approaching their expiry dates may therefore need to apply for an e-Passport instead of receiving another Machine-Readable Passport.
The change will gradually reduce the number of MRPs in circulation as existing documents expire and new passports are issued under the e-Passport system.
DGI&P Issues Circular to Passport Offices
The Directorate General Immigration and Passports has informed passport offices across Pakistan about the change through an official circular.
Relevant staff at Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad have also been directed to implement the new policy.
The instructions are intended to ensure that passport offices and overseas missions follow the same procedure once the transition takes effect.
Authorities have also directed concerned offices to inform applicants about the change so that people understand the difference between the current and upcoming passport issuance systems.
Shift Toward Electronic Passports
The move to e-Passports represents a continued transition toward more modern and digitally enabled travel documents.
E-Passports contain an electronic chip that stores the holder’s biographical and biometric information and can be read by compatible border-control systems.
The technology is designed to strengthen document verification and facilitate automated processing at immigration checkpoints where e-Passport facilities are available.
Pakistan has already been issuing e-Passports alongside Machine-Readable Passports, but the latest decision will make the electronic version the sole option for new passport issuance from October 15.
Faster Immigration Clearance Expected
According to the reported information, the transition to e-Passports is expected to provide travellers with faster immigration clearance and other facilities.
Electronic passports can be processed through automated border-control systems at airports and other immigration points equipped to handle them.
The technology can also make it easier for authorities to verify passport information electronically.
However, the availability and speed of automated clearance can depend on the facilities provided at a particular airport or destination country.
What Applicants Need to Know
People applying for a new passport before the policy takes effect will still have the option of obtaining an MRP until October 14, according to the reported decision.
From October 15, new applicants will receive e-Passports instead.
Those currently holding an MRP do not need to replace it immediately simply because of the policy change, as the reported instructions indicate that existing MRPs will remain valid until their expiry.
However, once an MRP expires, it will not be renewed under the new system.
Applicants should therefore check the validity of their existing passports and familiarise themselves with the e-Passport application process before their documents expire.
Overseas Missions Also Included
The new policy will not be limited to passport offices within Pakistan.
DGI&P has also instructed staff at Pakistani missions abroad to implement the change.
This means Pakistani citizens applying for new passports through diplomatic missions overseas will also be affected by the transition.
The instructions to missions are intended to ensure uniform implementation of the new passport policy for applicants both inside and outside Pakistan.
Pakistan Moves Toward Fully Electronic Passport Issuance
The decision to stop issuing new Machine-Readable Passports represents another step in Pakistan’s transition toward electronic travel documents.
For applicants, the main change will take effect on October 15, 2026, when e-Passports become the only newly issued passport type under the reported policy.
People who require a new MRP before the transition will have until October 14 to apply, while existing MRP holders can continue using their passports until expiry.
The move is expected to support faster immigration processing and improve the use of modern passport-verification systems.
As passport offices and Pakistani missions abroad prepare for the transition, applicants are being advised to take note of the deadline and understand the new e-Passport requirements before submitting their applications.
Also read: Pakistan Passport Falls to 101st in Latest Henley Passport Index
