Govt announces new date for implementing e-passport policy

By ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has revised the implementation date for Pakistan's transition to an e-passport-only issuance system, setting October 23, 2026, as the new deadline. The policy will apply to passport offices throughout the country as well as Pakistani diplomatic missions operating abroad. From the effective date, new passport applicants will be issued electronic passports instead of machine-readable passports. According to the revised schedule, the issuance and renewal of machine-readable passports will remain available until October 22. The mandatory transition had previously been scheduled to begin on October 15. Officials have confirmed that machine-readable passports issued before October 23 will continue to be accepted as valid travel documents until their expiry. Holders of unexpired MRPs will not be required to replace them early under the new policy. The shift to e-passports is designed to modernise passport services and enhance the security and efficiency of travel documentation in accordance with international standards.