ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has pushed back the start of its e-passport-only regime, with the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports now setting October 23, 2026, as the date from which all new applicants will receive electronic passports.
The revised schedule applies to passport offices across the country and to Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad. The mandatory transition had originally been slated to begin on October 15.
Machine-Readable Passports Available Until October 22
Under the amended timeline, the issuance and renewal of machine-readable passports (MRPs) will remain available until October 22. From the following day, electronic passports will replace MRPs for new applicants.
Officials confirmed that machine-readable passports issued before the cutoff will continue to be accepted as valid travel documents until their expiry. Holders of unexpired MRPs will not be required to replace them early under the new policy.
Security and Efficiency Cited as Drivers
The shift to e-passports is intended to modernise passport services and strengthen the security and efficiency of travel documentation in line with international standards, according to the directorate.
- New deadline: October 23, 2026, replacing the earlier October 15 target.
- Scope: passport offices nationwide and Pakistani missions abroad.
- MRP issuance and renewal: available until October 22.
- Existing MRPs: valid until expiry; no early replacement required.
