Pakistan Passport Renewal 2026: NADRA Process, Fees, Timeline

Renewing a Pakistani passport in 2026 is more streamlined than a decade ago. The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) operates renewal centres in every major city and online appointment booking. Pakistan is also gradually rolling out e-Passports (chip-enabled, biometric) alongside the existing Machine-Readable Passport. Here's everything you need to know.

MRP vs e-Passport — which one to get?

As of 2026, both are valid for international travel:

• Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) — Current standard. Accepted everywhere. Lower fee. Will continue to be issued through at least 2028.
• e-Passport — Chip-enabled, biometric. Same validity period (5 or 10 years). Slightly higher fee. Required for new entries in some country systems (e.g. EU-rolling-out-ETIAS). Currently being rolled out gradually; check availability at your local Passport Office.

For most Pakistani travellers, MRP remains the practical choice in 2026. e-Passport is increasingly recommended for frequent international travellers and those visiting Europe.

Fees (2026)

Note: fees include a small bank challan processing charge (PKR 70). Some Passport Offices also collect a small NADRA fee for biometric verification.

Processing time

• Normal: 21 working days
• Urgent: 7–10 working days
• Fee Priority: 4 working days

Step-by-step renewal process

1. Book an online appointment at dgip.gov.pk — pick your nearest Passport Office and a time slot
2. Visit the Passport Office on the appointment day — bring CNIC, expired/expiring passport, recent photograph (some offices take it on-site), challan receipt
3. Pay the bank challan at the on-site bank counter — most offices have Habib Bank Limited, Allied Bank, or Bank of Punjab
4. Biometric data capture — fingerprints, photograph, signature
5. Document verification — they cross-check against NADRA records
6. Receive token slip with passport collection date
7. Collect passport on the scheduled date — or opt for courier delivery to your registered address (small extra fee)

Documents required

• Original CNIC (with valid expiry)
• Current/expired Pakistani passport (if renewing)
• 2 recent passport-size photographs (white background, 4×6 cm, no glasses, no head covering for men)
• Bank challan for the appropriate fee
• For minors: B-Form, both parents' CNIC, parents present in person (or with notarised authorisation)

Where to apply

Major DGI&P Passport Offices in Pakistan:

• Karachi: Awami Markaz Garden, Saddar; new e-Passport centre at Hayder Bux Jatoi Road
• Lahore: Saddar Garrison, Mall Road; e-Passport centre on Mauj Darya Road
• Islamabad/Rawalpindi: G-9 Markaz Islamabad; Mall Road Rawalpindi
• Peshawar: Hayatabad Phase 1
• Quetta: Joint Road
• Multan: M.A. Jinnah Road
• Faisalabad: Sargodha Road
• Sialkot: Kashmir Road
• Sukkur: Military Road
• Hyderabad: Latifabad

For overseas Pakistanis

If you're abroad when your passport expires, contact your nearest Pakistani Embassy or Consulate. They can:

1. Issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) for a one-way return to Pakistan
2. Process passport renewal — typical timeline 4–8 weeks (slower than in-Pakistan)
3. Charge embassy-set fees (typically USD 50–150 depending on country)

Many Pakistani embassies hold periodic 'mobile consulate' camps in major cities where there's no permanent consulate.

Common reasons for delayed/rejected applications

• CNIC expired — renew CNIC first at NADRA, then apply for passport
• NADRA records mismatch — e.g. different father's name spelling on passport vs CNIC. Resolve at NADRA before applying.
• Pending court case or FIA blacklist — automatic rejection until clear
• Failed payment — challan paid at wrong bank or wrong fee category
• Photograph rejected — wrong background colour, wearing glasses, smiling, head turned, head covering for men
• Minor's parents not both present — both parents required; if one is abroad/deceased, notarised affidavit + death certificate

How long should my passport be valid before I travel?

Most countries require 6 months passport validity beyond your intended departure date. Saudi requires 6 months for Umrah/Hajj. UK and Schengen require 6 months beyond visa expiry. UAE requires 6 months at entry.

Our rule: if your passport has less than 9 months remaining, renew before your next trip.

What to do if your passport is lost or stolen

1. Immediately report to the nearest police station and obtain a copy of the FIR
2. If abroad, also report to the Pakistani Embassy/Consulate
3. Apply for replacement at any Pakistan Passport Office (in Pakistan) or your embassy (abroad) — bring FIR
4. Replacement passport fee is higher than standard renewal (typically PKR 9,000+ for MRP)
5. Replacement takes longer (21–30 working days)
6. Consider an interim Emergency Travel Document if you need to travel urgently