ISLAMABAD: The government has introduced a revised fee structure for e-passports as Pakistan moves forward with replacing conventional passports with biometric travel documents that meet international security standards.
The e-passport features an embedded electronic chip containing the holder’s biometric and personal information. It also incorporates advanced security technologies, including Near Field Communication (NFC), laser engraving, and infrared and ultraviolet security features, to enhance identity verification and reduce the risk of fraud.
Officials said the new passports comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), enabling Pakistani travellers to use automated e-gates at airports in countries where the facility is available, resulting in faster immigration clearance.
As part of the digitalisation drive, passport offices have also shifted to a fully cashless payment system. Applicants will now pay passport fees online, eliminating the need for cash transactions and reducing repeated visits to passport offices.
Under the revised fee structure, a 36-page e-passport valid for five years will cost Rs9,000 under the normal service and Rs15,000 under the urgent service. The 10-year version of the same passport will cost Rs13,500 for normal processing and Rs22,500 for urgent issuance.
For a 72-page e-passport, the fee has been set at Rs16,500 for the five-year normal service and Rs27,000 for urgent processing. The 10-year 72-page passport will cost Rs24,750 under the normal service and Rs40,500 under the urgent service.
The government says the adoption of e-passports will improve border security, streamline immigration procedures, and provide more efficient travel services for Pakistani citizens, particularly those travelling or residing abroad.
