Pakistan will begin issuing only electronic passports to new applicants from October 23, 2026, under a revised government policy.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced the new implementation date for the nationwide transition. The policy will cover passport offices across Pakistan and Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad. As a result, applicants will receive e-passports instead of machine-readable passports under the new system.
Read more: Complete transition to e–passports approved, passport offices
According to the revised schedule, authorities will continue issuing and renewing machine-readable passports until October 22. The government had initially planned to introduce the mandatory e-passport policy on October 15. However, officials have now moved the implementation date to October 23.
The change means applicants seeking new passports must follow the updated requirements from the effective date. Meanwhile, people applying before October 23 can still obtain machine-readable passports under the existing arrangements. The revised timeline gives applicants a clear date for the transition.
However, current machine-readable passport holders do not need to replace their documents immediately. Passports issued before October 23 will remain valid until their expiry dates. Therefore, travellers with unexpired machine-readable passports can continue using them as valid travel documents.
Read more: E–Passports to be launched next year for Pakistani citizens: Sources
The new policy aims to modernise Pakistan’s passport services and improve travel document security. Electronic passports are intended to support more efficient processing and align documentation practices with international standards. The transition will apply both within Pakistan and at diplomatic missions overseas.
Applicants should consider the revised deadline when planning passport applications or renewals. Those who need a machine-readable passport must apply by October 22, according to the announced schedule. Existing holders, however, can continue using their passports until expiry without an early replacement requirement.