Pakistan Launches Online Booking System for Passport Issuance
Pakistan has launched an online booking system for the issuance of passports. This development was announced by DG Passport and Immigration on September 3, 2023. The new system allows Pakistani citizens to apply for their basic travel documents without the need to physically visit a passport office.
The online appointment scheduling system is designed to streamline the process of obtaining new e-passports. Applicants can now request passports with just a click of a button. Once an appointment is scheduled, applicants will be notified via SMS service.
This initiative follows the nationwide issuance of an e-passport facility at passport offices, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to digitize its services. The aim is to make the process more efficient and user-friendly, reducing the time and effort required by citizens to obtain their passports.
E-passport Fee Structure 2023
The fee structure for the e-passports has also been outlined. A 36-page e-passport with a validity of five years costs Rs. 9,000 for normal delivery and Rs. 12,000 for urgent delivery. A 72-page e-passport is priced at Rs16,500 for normal delivery. For a 10-year passport containing 36 pages, the normal fee is Rs13,500 while the urgent fee is Rs 22,500. The normal fee for a 72-page ten-year valid passport is Rs 24,750 while the fee for an urgent 72-page ten-year valid passport is Rs 40,500.
The authority has confirmed that the passport fee for machine-readable passports would remain the same as before. For a machine-readable passport (36 pages), the fee for 05 years of validity is Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 for normal and urgent delivery respectively.
This new system is expected to significantly ease the process of passport issuance for Pakistani citizens, making it more accessible and convenient. It represents a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to digitize public services and improve the overall citizen experience.
