Pakistani nationals in the UAE will receive e‑passports from July 20.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi announced that, in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, all passport applications submitted on or after that date will be processed only in the e‑passport category.
All passport applications from July 20, 2026 shall be processed by the Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai only in the e‑Passport category.
— Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi
Machine‑Readable Passports (MRPs) already in circulation will stay valid until their expiry dates, meaning holders do not need to replace them before they run out. When an MRP holder renews their document, the new passport will automatically be an e‑passport.
The embassy also urged anyone with an MRP that still has more than six months left to wait until the remaining validity drops to six months before applying for renewal, to avoid unnecessary fees.
Implementation timeline and eligibility
Effective July 20, 2026, the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai will be the sole points of contact for all e‑passport applications. Applicants must submit their paperwork at either location, and the processing will follow the electronic format mandated by ICAO.
Existing MRPs continue to function until they expire, but renewal will trigger the issuance of an e‑passport. This approach ensures a smooth transition for the Pakistani community in the UAE, as no one will be left with an invalid travel document during the changeover.
New fee structure for e‑passports
The embassy released a comprehensive price list for e‑passports with five‑year validity. A normal 36‑page passport now costs AED 145, while an urgent 36‑page passport is AED 235. For 72‑page passports, the normal fee is AED 520 and the urgent fee AED 850. Lost‑passport replacements start at AED 290 for a normal 36‑page first‑lost passport and rise to AED 1,700 for an urgent 72‑page second‑lost passport.
For those opting for a ten‑year passport, the normal 36‑page fee is AED 215 and the urgent option AED 355. A 72‑page normal passport costs AED 780, with the urgent service priced at AED 1,270. Lost‑passport fees for ten‑year documents start at AED 430 for a normal first‑lost passport and go up to AED 2,540 for an urgent second‑lost passport.
These fees give applicants clear choices based on processing speed and passport size, helping the community plan their travel documentation with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
When does the e‑passport rollout start for Pakistani nationals in the UAE?
The rollout begins on 20 July 2026, when the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai start issuing only electronic passports.
What are the fees for a five‑year Pakistani e‑passport in the UAE?
A normal 36‑page e‑passport costs AED 145 and an urgent one AED 235; a 72‑page normal passport is AED 520 and urgent AED 850.
Where can I apply for a Pakistani e‑passport in the UAE?
Applications must be submitted in person either at the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi or at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai, the sole points of contact from 20 July 2026.
Do existing machine‑readable passports remain valid after the e‑passport rollout?
Yes, current machine‑readable passports stay valid until their expiry dates and only need to be replaced with an e‑passport when renewed.
What is the fee for a lost‑passport replacement for a Pakistani 36‑page passport in the UAE?
A first‑lost 36‑page passport replacement costs AED 290 for normal service and AED 1,700 for an urgent replacement of a 72‑page second‑lost passport.
