Pakistani Passport Renewal 2026: Complete Guide to Fee, Process, Documents, and the Machine-Readable System
Renewing a Pakistani passport in 2026 is faster and more transparent than it was two years ago, but the fee schedule has changed three times, the machine-readable passport is now mandatory for all new issuances, and the online tracking system is the only reliable way to know when your passport is ready. Here is the complete walkthrough: who needs to renew, what it costs, what documents to bring, where to apply, and how to track the application through issuance.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) operates the passport issuance system for Pakistan through 36 regional passport offices across the country plus the Pakistan embassies and consulates abroad. The current system uses machine-readable passports (MRPs) that comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303 standard, which means Pakistani passports are accepted at immigration counters worldwide without a separate visa-waiver workaround. The MRP system replaced the older hand-written passports in 2004, and the latest generation (introduced in 2024) added biometric chip support for visa-free entry to a growing list of countries.
Who needs to renew in 2026
You need to renew your Pakistani passport if any of the following applies:
- The passport has expired (most countries require 6 months of validity beyond your travel date)
- The passport has fewer than 7 blank pages remaining (many countries refuse entry on near-full passports)
- The passport is damaged, water-stained, or the photo page is no longer legible
- You have changed your name, marital status, or other personal details that need to be updated
- You have a 5-year passport and want to upgrade to the new 10-year biometric passport
- You are applying for a family or work visa that has a passport-validity requirement beyond your current expiry
You do not need to renew if the passport is still valid for more than 7 months, all details are accurate, and you have no imminent international travel. Renewing early is wasteful because the new expiry date is calculated from the date of issuance, not from the old expiry.
What the new passport costs in 2026
| Category | Validity | Regular fee | Urgent fee (within 4 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, 36 pages | 5 years | Rs 5,000 | Rs 9,000 |
| Adult, 36 pages | 10 years | Rs 9,000 | Rs 14,500 |
| Adult, 72 pages (frequent traveller) | 5 years | Rs 8,500 | Rs 13,000 |
| Adult, 72 pages | 10 years | Rs 13,500 | Rs 20,000 |
| Minor (under 15), 36 pages | 5 years | Rs 3,500 | Rs 6,500 |
| Minor (under 15), 36 pages | 10 years | Rs 6,500 | Rs 11,000 |
| Lost passport replacement, 36 pages | 5 years | Rs 9,000 | n/a |
| Foreign-currency surcharge (from Pakistan embassies abroad) | USD 50 to USD 100 | varies |
The fee is paid at the regional passport office at the time of application, by bank draft, debit card, or in some offices cash. The fee was last revised in the FY 2026-27 budget and is in effect since 1 July 2026.
What documents you need to bring
For a standard adult renewal inside Pakistan, the required documents are:
- Original CNIC (the new chip-based CNIC issued by NADRA)
- Original expired or near-expiry passport
- Photocopy of the CNIC (front and back)
- Photocopy of the old passport (bio-data page and any page with Pakistani exit-entry stamps)
- One recent passport-size photograph (white background, 35x45mm) — although most offices now take the photo digitally on-site
- Bank draft or payment receipt for the fee
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC) for first-time adult applicants or if the parents’ details need to be updated
For minors, you additionally need the CNICs of both parents and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from both parents in case of separated families. For overseas Pakistanis applying through embassies, the document list is the same but must be apostilled by the Pakistani mission in the country of residence.
Step-by-step process for renewal inside Pakistan
- Book an appointment at the regional passport office via the DGIP online portal at onlinedgip.passport.gov.pk, or walk in and take a token at the office (most offices have both options)
- Arrive at the office at the appointment time (or as a walk-in before 14:00) with all the required documents
- Token and queue at the entrance, where the staff check that you have the required documents before issuing a counter ticket
- Counter submission: the data-entry operator captures your photo, fingerprints, and biographical details on the system; you sign the application and confirm the data
- Fee payment at the cashier counter immediately after the data-entry counter
- Tracking receipt with a 9-digit application number, which you can use to track the application online
- Police verification in some cases (typically within the same district as your address on the CNIC) — usually 1 to 3 days
- Issuance notification via SMS on the registered mobile number when the passport is dispatched from the print centre
- Delivery at the passport office or by post, depending on what you selected at the counter
The typical processing time inside Pakistan is 10 to 21 working days for the regular fee and 4 to 7 days for the urgent fee. Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Faisalabad offices are typically the fastest.
Step-by-step process for renewal through a Pakistani embassy
For overseas Pakistanis, the renewal process is similar but goes through the embassy or consulate:
- Book an appointment at the Pakistani embassy or consulate in your country of residence via the embassy website or by phone
- Submit the application in person at the embassy, with all the required documents (apostilled if the embassy asks)
- Fee payment in the local currency (USD, GBP, EUR, AED, SAR) at the embassy counter — typically USD 50 to 100 for a 5-year adult passport plus the PKR-equivalent fee
- Biometric capture at the embassy (photo and fingerprints)
- Embassy processing and dispatch of the application to DGIP in Islamabad (typically 2 to 4 weeks)
- Issuance by DGIP and dispatch back to the embassy (typically 4 to 8 weeks for the embassies in the Gulf, 6 to 12 weeks for non-Gulf embassies)
- Delivery at the embassy for in-person collection
The embassy route is slower than the domestic route but is the only option for overseas Pakistanis. The Gulf embassies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Manama, Doha, Kuwait) have a faster turnaround because of the higher volume.
How to track your application
Once you have your 9-digit application number (printed on the receipt at the counter), you can track the status in three ways:
- Online: onlinedgip.passport.gov.pk → “Track Application” → enter the number
- SMS: send your 9-digit application number to 9988 (free of charge from any mobile network in Pakistan)
- WhatsApp: the DGIP helpline number is also reachable on WhatsApp for status enquiries
The typical status messages are “Application received”, “Under processing”, “Police verification complete”, “Passport printed”, “Dispatched from print centre”, and “Ready for delivery at [office]”.
What changed in the last two years
Three changes worth knowing:
- The 10-year biometric passport is now available at all 36 regional offices, not just the five major cities as in 2024-25
- The 72-page frequent-traveller passport is available without prior approval, instead of requiring a special application to DGIP
- The fee schedule was revised in July 2026 with the rest of the Finance Act, with the 10-year adult fee going from Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,000 and the urgent fee from Rs 12,500 to Rs 14,500
What to do if your renewal is delayed
The most common delays and what to do about each:
- Police verification pending: contact the local police station (the one tied to your CNIC address). They may need a visit to clear the verification. Allow 3 to 5 extra days.
- Name mismatch on CNIC vs old passport: get the CNIC corrected at NADRA before applying, or your application will be held at the police verification stage.
- Lost old passport: in addition to the renewal fee, you need to pay the lost passport replacement fee (Rs 9,000 for 36 pages, 5-year validity), and you also need a police FIR for the loss.
- Tracking status hasn’t moved in 14 days: visit the passport office in person with your receipt, or call the DGIP helpline.
What the new biometric passport unlocks
The 10-year biometric passport (which has an embedded RFID chip) unlocks the following perks over the older 5-year MRP:
- Faster immigration processing at e-gates in the UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia
- Easier Schengen visa applications (the biometric data matches the visa application system)
- Eligible for the new Pakistan e-visa to GCC countries
- Eligible for the Pakistan origin card (for foreign-passport-holding children of Pakistani citizens)
- Faster re-entry at Pakistani airports via the e-gate system at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi
Quick answers
How much does a Pakistani passport renewal cost in 2026?
Rs 5,000 for a 5-year adult passport (36 pages), Rs 9,000 for a 10-year adult passport (36 pages), Rs 9,000 for a lost-passport replacement. Urgent processing doubles the fee for 5-day turnaround.
How long does it take to get a Pakistani passport renewed?
10 to 21 working days for the regular fee inside Pakistan, 4 to 7 days for the urgent fee. Overseas applications through embassies typically take 4 to 12 weeks.
Do I need to go to the passport office in person?
Yes. There is no fully online passport renewal in Pakistan yet. The DGIP portal lets you book the appointment and fill the form, but the in-person appearance for biometrics (photo and fingerprints) is required.
Can I renew my passport before it expires?
Yes, up to 12 months before expiry. But the new expiry date is calculated from the date of issuance, not from the old expiry, so renewing earlier doesn’t extend the validity.
Can I renew my passport at any regional office?
Yes — the 36 regional passport offices now accept applications from any district, not just the applicant’s home district. The office in the major city you can reach most easily is typically the fastest.
