Building on its introduction in Islamabad, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has expanded the e-passport service nationwide. This service modernizes the passport application process by allowing citizens to secure their travel documents from home.
E-Passport Fee Breakdown
- 5-Year Validity:
- 36-page e-passport: Rs9,000 (Urgent: Rs15,000)
- 72-page e-passport: Rs16,500 (Urgent: Rs27,000)
- 10-Year Validity:
- 36-page e-passport: Rs13,500 (Urgent: Rs22,500)
- 72-page e-passport: Rs24,750 (Urgent: Rs40,500)
It should be noted that the standard passport fees remain unaffected, with these e-passport fees being effective since Thursday.
Addressing Passport Delays
The introduction of the e-passport facility is a welcome development for many. Traditional passport deliveries have been delayed by over a month, attributed to an unprecedented rise in passport applications. On average, the daily application count has soared to 40,000 from its typical 24,000-26,000 range.
To illustrate:
- Standard passports, usually delivered in 10 days, now take over a month.
- Urgent passports have been extended to a 15-day delivery from the usual five.
- Fast-track services typically take two days now and also require five days.
These extensive delays pose challenges for prospective Umrah pilgrims and those planning to travel for work or studies. The surge in application numbers is the primary cause for these extended timelines.
