Pakistan launches e-passport for UAE-based citizens from July 20
All new passport applications in the UAE will be processed under the e-passport system.
The announcement was made through a public notice issued by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai. The new system will apply to applications submitted at both the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai.
Officials said all future passport requests at these missions will be handled exclusively as e-passports. The move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to modernize travel documents for overseas citizens.
According to the authorities, the new e-passports will meet standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These standards are designed to improve security and international recognition of travel documents.
The embassy clarified that existing machine-readable passports will remain valid until their expiry date. Citizens holding valid passports have been advised not to seek immediate renewal unless necessary.
Officials recommended that Pakistanis with more than six months of passport validity wait before applying for renewal. Applications should ideally be submitted when the remaining validity drops below six months.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) online passport service will continue to operate. Overseas Pakistanis can still use the digital platform for passport-related applications and services.
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The government has also released the fee structure for the new e-passports. Charges will vary according to the number of pages, validity period, and processing category selected by applicants.
A five-year e-passport with 36 pages will cost Dhs145 under normal processing. The urgent processing fee for the same passport has been fixed at Dhs235.
A five-year e-passport with 72 pages will cost Dhs260 under normal service. Applicants seeking urgent processing will have to pay Dhs425.
For a 10-year validity period, a 36-page e-passport will cost Dhs215 under the normal category. The urgent processing fee for this passport has been set at Dhs355.
A 72-page e-passport valid for 10 years will cost Dhs390 under normal processing. The urgent service fee for this category has been fixed at Dhs635.
Authorities also confirmed that separate and higher charges will apply for replacing lost passports. Different fee structures will be used for first-loss and second-loss cases.
The embassy has advised members of the Pakistani community to follow official updates for the latest information. Applicants have also been encouraged to visit the DGIP website for guidance regarding passport services.
The introduction of e-passports marks a significant step in the modernization of Pakistan’s travel documentation system. Officials believe the upgrade will improve security, efficiency, and convenience for overseas Pakistanis.
The shift to e-passports shows Pakistan’s focus on modern and internationally accepted travel documents. The new system could make passport verification and border processing more secure and efficient.
Since existing passports will remain valid, many Pakistanis will not need to renew immediately. This may help reduce pressure on passport offices during the transition period.
