ISLAMABAD — Marking a definitive milestone in the modernization of Pakistan’s national identification and travel framework, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) has officially rolled out its comprehensive e-passport fee schedule. This structured tariff release accompanies the complete national transition toward microchip-embedded biometric travel documents, permanently phasing out traditional machine-readable passports (MRPs) for new applications and expirations.

The structural shift represents a major upgrade in state administrative security, aligning Pakistan's travel credentials with rigorous International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. By incorporating advanced security features, encrypted digital data pages, and integrated biometric microchips, the state-of-the-art e-passports are designed to drastically mitigate forgery risks while streamlining international border clearance procedures for citizens traveling abroad.

Comprehensive Fee Matrix and Tiered Structures

The newly published tariff provides clear, distinct pricing tiers formulated around passport page capacity, validity duration, and processing velocity. Citizens can now select from tailored options designed to accommodate varying travel frequencies and timelines:

• Five-Year Validity Passports:

  • For a standard 36-page booklet, normal processing is established at Rs 9,000, while urgent processing is priced at Rs 15,000.

  • For frequent travelers requiring extended physical space, a 72-page booklet carries a normal processing fee of Rs 16,500, scaling to Rs 27,000 under urgent processing.

• Ten-Year Validity Passports:

  • For citizens opting for decade-long convenience, a 36-page booklet incurs a normal fee of Rs 13,500, with urgent processing set at Rs 22,500.

  • For comprehensive 72-page documents spanning a 10-year validity, normal processing requires a fee of Rs 24,750, while urgent applications are billed at Rs 40,500.

Immigration authorities have clarified that minors under the age of 15 remain restricted to five-year validity passports in accordance with standard biometric evolution policies. Furthermore, standard service charges and applicable government taxes apply across regional processing centers.

Transition Away from Machine-Readable Passports

The publication of the e-passport fee schedule coincides with a major operational policy shift across all regional passport offices. Having officially ceased the issuance of new traditional machine-readable passports, the DGIP has designated the e-passport as the mandatory standard for all fresh applications and routine renewals. Officials have emphasized that while existing machine-readable passports will remain fully valid until their printed expiration dates, any upcoming renewals will automatically transition holders into the modern e-passport system.

The operational consolidation aims to unify database management, reduce processing bottlenecks at district counters, and modernize public service delivery across hundreds of domestic and international processing missions.

Streamlined Cashless Payment Integration

To complement the modernized passport architecture, the DGIP has fully integrated digital, cashless payment mechanisms designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays and curb illicit agent interference. Applicants are no longer required to navigate physical bank challan lines manually; instead, payments can be executed seamlessly prior to visiting passport offices.

Citizens can generate a secure Payment System Identification (PSID) number using the official "Passport Fee Asaan" mobile application or web portal, completing transactions instantly via 1Bill and 1Link interoperable banking networks. Additionally, regional passport offices are equipped with dedicated QR code scanning terminals, allowing applicants to pay their respective fees directly through any authorized mobile banking application or digital wallet instantly upon arrival.

The DGIP has strongly advised applicants to utilize exclusively authorized government channels and designated banking systems when settling fees. Authorities reiterated that payments made for online applications are non-refundable and urged citizens to verify exact fee categories before scheduling biometric verification appointments at their local regional directorates.