Asan Tata— October 27, 2026Pakistani nationals living in the UAE can now apply for an electronic passport, known as an e-passport. The change took effect on 23 October 2026. From that date, every new passport application in the UAE is processed as an e-passport.
The announcement came from the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai. It applies at both missions. If you are planning a renewal or a first application, this guide explains the new fees, the rules, and what stays the same.
Quick Answer
From 23 October 2026, all new Pakistani passport applications in the UAE are issued as e-passports. You can apply at the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai.
Your existing Machine Readable Passport (MRP) is still valid until its expiry date. You do not need to replace it early. The missions advise renewing only when your passport has less than six months of validity left.
Fees start at AED 145 for a five-year, 36-page e-passport with normal processing. A ten-year, 36-page passport costs AED 215 with normal processing. Urgent processing and lost-passport cases cost more, and the full fee table is given below.
One rule needs special attention. Both a first name and a last name are now mandatory for e-passport issuance. Check your name details before you apply.
What Changed on 23 October 2026
Until recently, Pakistani missions in the UAE issued Machine Readable Passports. That has now changed. The 23 October announcement confirms that e-passport issuance has started and will continue for all new applications.
The switch is part of a wider move in Pakistan. In June 2026, the government decided in principle to phase out MRPs and move fully to e-passports. The aim, as stated by officials, is stronger document security and less passport fraud. E-passports have already been issued from passport offices across Pakistan since August 2023.
For overseas Pakistanis, the practical effect is simple. If you apply for a new passport now, you will receive an e-passport. There is no separate choice between an MRP and an e-passport for new applications in the UAE.
The change does not cancel any valid passport. An MRP that is still in date remains a valid travel document until it expires. This point matters because it stops unnecessary panic. You do not need to rush to a mission just because the system has changed.
What Is an E-Passport?
An e-passport looks much like a normal passport, but it carries a small contactless electronic chip inside the booklet. The chip stores the holder’s facial image, biographical details, a unique identification number, and a digital signature.
Pakistan’s e-passports follow the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). That means border systems in other countries can read the chip in a standard way. At airports that support them, e-passport holders can use automated e-gates, which can shorten immigration queues.
The chip also adds a layer of security. Because the stored data is digitally signed, tampering with the booklet is harder to hide.
For most travellers, day-to-day use feels the same. You still present your passport at check-in and at immigration.
Do You Need to Replace Your Valid MRP?
No. A valid MRP remains valid until its expiry date. The missions have been clear on this point. Holders do not need to replace a valid MRP immediately.
The missions advise applying for renewal only when your existing passport has less than six months of validity remaining. This is a useful rule of thumb for another reason too. Many countries and airlines require at least six months of passport validity for travel, so renewing inside that window protects your travel plans.
If your MRP still has more than six months left, you can simply keep using it. When renewal time comes, your replacement will be an e-passport.
One exception is a lost or damaged passport. In that case, you cannot wait. You will need to apply for a replacement, and the lost-passport fees below will apply.
Pakistan E-Passport Fees in the UAE
Fees depend on four things: the number of pages, the validity period, the processing speed, and whether the passport replaces a lost one. The fees below are the dirham figures published with the 23 October 2026 announcement.
36-page e-passport
| Validity and case | Normal | Urgent |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years, standard | AED 145 | AED 235 |
| 5 years, first lost passport | AED 290 | AED 470 |
| 5 years, second lost passport | AED 580 | AED 940 |
| 10 years, standard | AED 215 | AED 355 |
| 10 years, first lost passport | AED 430 | AED 710 |
| 10 years, second lost passport | AED 860 | AED 1,420 |
72-page e-passport
| Validity and case | Normal | Urgent |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years, standard | AED 260 | AED 425 |
| 5 years, first lost passport | AED 520 | AED 850 |
| 5 years, second lost passport | AED 1,040 | AED 1,700 |
| 10 years, standard | AED 390 | AED 635 |
| 10 years, first lost passport | AED 780 | AED 1,270 |
| 10 years, second lost passport | AED 1,560 | AED 2,540 |
Lost-passport fees rise steeply with each loss, so keeping your passport safe now saves real money later. A second lost 72-page, ten-year passport costs AED 2,540 with urgent processing, against AED 635 for the same passport when it is a standard renewal.
Fees can change, so confirm the current figure with the mission before you travel. The figures above are the published launch fees.
Which Option Should You Choose?
The cheapest standard option is the five-year, 36-page passport with normal processing at AED 145. It suits someone who travels rarely and wants the lowest cost.
The ten-year, 36-page passport costs AED 215 with normal processing. That is only AED 70 more for double the validity. For most adults, the ten-year option is better value, since it halves the number of renewals over time.
The 72-page passport suits frequent travellers. Extra pages hold more visas and entry stamps. If you travel often for work, running out of pages mid-validity is a real nuisance, and the larger booklet avoids it.
Urgent processing costs roughly 60 percent more than normal processing. It makes sense only with a firm travel date. If your trip is months away, normal processing saves money.
Note that children are generally not issued ten-year passports, since their appearance changes quickly. If you are applying for a child, check the validity options at the mission rather than assuming a ten-year passport is available.
Documents to Take With You
Requirements can vary by case, so treat this list as the standard set the Consulate General in Dubai publishes, and confirm any extra items for your own situation before you go.
For adults, the consulate lists an original passport plus a photocopy, and an original valid CNIC, NICOP, or Smart Card plus a photocopy. Dual nationals must also bring their original foreign passport and photocopies.
For children under 18, both parents must attend with the child. You will need the child’s original passport and Form B or NICOP, plus both parents’ original passports and CNIC or NICOP documents, each with photocopies. In separation cases, court custody papers attested by the foreign ministries of Pakistan and the UAE are required.
For newborn babies, the list adds an original birth certificate attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus the child’s NICOP. Both parents must attend, and extra affidavits apply if either parent is a foreign national.
It is also sensible to carry your Emirates ID and a copy of your UAE residence visa. Missions and service counters often ask for residence proof, even when it is not the headline document on the list.
Steps to Apply
First, check your passport’s expiry date. If it has more than six months left and is not lost or damaged, you do not need to apply yet.
Second, check your name. The e-passport system requires both a first name and a last name. If your current documents show only one name, contact the mission before your visit to ask how your case will be handled. Sorting this out early avoids a wasted trip.
Third, decide on pages, validity, and processing speed using the fee tables above. Your choice fixes the fee, so decide before you reach the counter.
Fourth, check the mission’s current visit instructions. Arrangements such as appointments and counters can change, so confirm the latest process on the mission’s official channels before you travel.
Fifth, attend with your documents and fee payment. Keep your receipt safe. It is your proof of application and the reference you may need for follow-up.
Finally, look after the new passport once you receive it. A lost e-passport costs far more to replace than a standard renewal, as the fee table shows.
The Name Rule: Why It Matters
The mandatory first-name and last-name rule is the detail most likely to catch applicants out. Older MRPs were sometimes issued with a single name. The e-passport system does not accept that.
If all your documents show one name, do not simply turn up and hope. Contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai first and ask what they need from you. The fix may involve your CNIC or NICOP record, and that is better handled before you start the passport application itself.
Also check that the name on your CNIC or NICOP matches the name you want on the passport. A mismatch between identity documents is a common cause of delay in any passport process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying too early is the first mistake. A valid MRP does not need replacing, and renewing years ahead of expiry wastes validity you have already paid for.
Applying too late is the second. Once validity drops below six months, some airlines and countries may refuse travel. Renew inside the six-month window, not after it.
Choosing urgent processing without a deadline is the third. Urgent service is a convenience, not a better passport. The booklet you receive is the same either way.
Forgetting photocopies is a small mistake with an outsized cost. Missions require copies alongside originals, and a missing copy can mean a second trip.
Finally, do not trust fee figures passed around on social media. Use the published fee table above or confirm the figure with the mission. Old MRP fees no longer apply to new applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my valid Pakistani MRP in the UAE?
Yes. A valid MRP remains valid until its expiry date. You do not need to replace it just because e-passport issuance has started.
Where can I apply for a Pakistan e-passport in the UAE?
At the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai. Both missions began e-passport issuance on 23 October 2026.
How much does a Pakistan e-passport cost in the UAE?
The cheapest standard option is AED 145 for a five-year, 36-page passport with normal processing. A ten-year, 36-page passport costs AED 215 with normal processing. Urgent processing and 72-page booklets cost more, and lost passports cost substantially more.
When should I renew my Pakistani passport?
The missions advise renewing when your passport has less than six months of validity remaining. Many countries and airlines also require six months of validity for travel.
Do I need both a first name and a last name?
Yes. Both a first name and a last name are mandatory for e-passport issuance. If your documents show only one name, contact the mission before applying.
Is urgent processing worth the extra cost?
Only if you have a firm travel date and cannot wait for normal processing. The passport itself is the same either way, so normal processing is the better choice when time allows.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not official advice. Passport rules, fees, and processes can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai before applying.
Last Updated: 27 October 2026
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