Passport fee payment to be fully digitised from July 1

Pakistan has announced a major digital shift in its passport system, deciding to completely end cash-based fee payments at all passport offices from July 1, 2026. According to the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, all payments will only be accepted through QR code-based digital systems after the deadline, marking a full move toward cashless services.

The decision was shared during a briefing chaired by DG Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa, where officials were informed about the new digital transformation plan. Authorities said a dedicated mobile application for passports will soon be launched. It will allow citizens in Pakistan and abroad to apply online and complete the process without visiting offices.

Officials also confirmed that passport delivery services will be improved, with plans to send passports directly to applicants’ homes, making the process faster and more convenient.

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In another major step, Pakistan is preparing to shift fully to e-passports in the future. However, existing machine-readable passports will remain valid until their expiry and will continue to be accepted worldwide. The reforms are part of a wider government effort to modernize public services, reduce paperwork, and introduce digital solutions across administrative systems.