Pakistan Introduces e-Passport System in 2024

e-Passport System in recent years has strived quite well in bringing about immigration and passport system modernization that eventually results in an e-passport system roll-out in the year 2024. This marks an important point for enhanced national security through ease in traveling and smooth experience on e-Passport System travelers leaving for a foreign destination. This is not just an upgrading process but a comprehensive solution, incorporating technology into the public services’ administration, to ensure Pakistan will never fall back in such matters as international travel document verification standards.

Background of the E-Passport Initiative

There were soft launches of the whole e-passport system starting with a ceremonial opening at the facility by Prime Minister Imran Khan on 30 March 2022. Since the commencement of machine-readable passports in 2004, the whole procedure of passing the passport in Pakistan followed the same system; accordingly, there was a good deal of expectation regarding that. In the initial release, only the holders were eligible for the diplomatic passport and official passport but were made available to all of the citizens of Pakistan.

پاکستان میں ای پاسپورٹ سسٹم کی نرم آغاز 30 مارچ 2022 کو وزیر اعظم عمران خان کے ذریعے افتتاح کے ساتھ ہوا۔ 2004 میں مشین ریڈیبل پاسپورٹس کے آغاز کے بعد، پاکستان میں پاسپورٹ کے حصول کا پورا طریقہ وہی رہا جو پہلے تھا، جس کی وجہ سے لوگوں میں کافی توقعات تھیں۔ ابتدائی طور پر صرف سفارتی اور سرکاری پاسپورٹ کے حامل افراد کو ای پاسپورٹ ملنے کی اجازت تھی، لیکن بعد میں یہ پاسپورٹ پاکستان کے تمام شہریوں کے لیے دستیاب کر دیے گئے۔ اس تبدیلی سے پاسپورٹ کے حصول کا عمل مزید آسان اور جدید ہوا۔

The e-passport verification system?

This will feature an embedded electronic chip in the passport that maintains biometric data and personal information to ensure safe and secure identity verification at border control points.

Objectives of the E-Passport System

The fundamental reasons behind launching it are as follows:

It comprises an integrated electronic chip which includes biometric information and personal data, which highly decreases identity fraud and document forgery.
It will help digitize the process of application and issuance through decreasing the delays and procedural work between the applicants and the government.
Make travel internationally easier by the acceptance of it abroad at automated gates, popularly called e-Passport System, found across airports worldwide.

Features of the E-Passport

It contains several advanced features developed to enhance its security as well as usability. Contactless chip for secure storing of biometric data including:

Facial Recognition Data: The facial recognition can be done quickly on points of border control.
Fingerprint Data: There will be secondary verification based on fingerprints in the chip. Security Improvements. The new passport contains approximately 29 modern security features intended to prevent the issuance of the document or unauthorized access to it.The features have been set in accordance with international requirements by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the recognition of Pakistani passports at all destinations.
User-Friendly Design The design of it is upgraded and contains:
Easy-to-Read Layout: Improved legibility for the user as well as border control systems.
Durability: Sturdy materials designed to endure wear and tear over the years.

پاکستان میں ای پاسپورٹ کی فیسیں مختلف مدتوں کے لیے ہیں۔ 36 صفحوں والے پاسپورٹ کی 5 سالہ فیس 9,000 روپے اور فوری فیس 15,000 روپے ہے۔ 10 سالہ پاسپورٹ کی معمولی فیس 13,500 روپے اور فوری فیس 22,500 روپے ہے۔ 72 صفحوں والے پاسپورٹ کی 5 سالہ فیس 16,500 روپے اور فوری فیس 27,000 روپے ہے۔ 10 سالہ پاسپورٹ کی معمولی فیس 24,750 روپے اور فوری فیس 40,500 روپے ہے۔ یہ فیسیں ای پاسپورٹس کی پروسیسنگ کے لیے ہیں جن میں سیکیورٹی خصوصیات اور بایومیٹرک ڈیٹا شامل ہے۔

Application Procedure for e-Passport System

Application procedure for obtaining it is easy to access, but it does not ignore the security measures in operation. Here is a step-by-step guide for getting an Pakistan e-passport fees.

Online Registration: Online registration is mandatory; and one has to go registered on the Directorate General Immigration & e-Passport System portal.
Submission of Documents: CNIC or Computerized National Identity Card, photographs, and whatever is required at the time of registration.
Biometric Verification: An applicant shall have to come to an RPO and get their biometric features captured on the system comprising fingerprints and photographs.
Online Payment of Processing Fee: The applicant can deposit his/her processing fee through one of the following modes online.
Issue of Passport: On the processing, applicant shall be issued his/ her e-Passport System through postal or receive at designated offices.

Passport e billing system login

You must follow the instructions as mentioned below in order to log in to the billing system:

Access the e-Services Portal: You are required to access the official website of DG I&P.
Registration of Account: For which, you need to provide your mobile number and your email address for verification purposes to create an account
Login: Using the login credentials provided at the time of account registration.
Access Payment Options: You can log in to the portal, compute the Pakistan e-passport fees, and get a Payment Slip Identification, or PSID, which would process the payment.

The fee may be paid through credit/debit cards, ATM, Internet banking, and mobile payment services available at JazzCash and Easypaisa.After you make the payment, you check the status of your application and payment.Registration procedures and process of payment strictly follow the guidelines word for word. There is no form of money back if one pays the fee for acquiring their passport.

Documents Needed

For issuance of it applicant needs following documents:

A valid CNIC
Latest passport-size photographs
Any relevant subsidiary documents like, for instance, a marriage certificate to confirm a name change.

E-Passport online check

You can check online in Pakistan the status of your e-passport application through the e-passport login Portal. To do this, follow the instructions below:.

Visit the e-Services Portal: Official Website.
Login/Register: If you have an account already, you log in using the credentials. Otherwise, you are to register with your mobile number and email address.
Check Application Status: This section can be accessed by logging on the e-passport facility. Select any one option from the above listed ones. Enter your application number or CNIC to check the status of the application.This will also allow applicants to track their passport applications online.

E-Passport Pakistan Fee

The Pakistan Pakistan e-passport fees for the following periods until October 2024 are as follows:

36-Page Passport
5 years: Normal Fees: 9,000 Urgent Fees: 15,000
10 years: Normal Fees: 13,500 Urgent Fees: 22,500
72-page passport
5 years: Normal Fees: 16,500 Urgent Fees: 27,000
10 years: Normal Fees: 24,750 Urgent Fees: 40,500

These fees will be cost-additives both for ordinary and express processing of electronic passports, which incorporate enhanced security features and biometric data storage capacity.

Pakistan e-passport fees will bring the following benefits to Pakistani citizens.

Advantages for Pakistani citizens:

International Acceptance: E-passports are accepted in more than 150 countries worldwide, making international travel much easier. Its holders may use automated border control systems at most international airports, saving much time.
Increased Security Features: With each e-passport having enhanced security features, the holder will be able to travel without much anxiety about their identity being stolen or fraudulently used.

Facilities

The e-passport facilitates easy renewals or replacements for overseas Pakistanis and provides access to online services that cater specifically to their needs.

Problems and Concerns

Although e-passports mark an advanced step for Pakistan, a number of issues remain: The establishment of it entails the development of proper infrastructure at airports and border control points. It should be compatible with systems in other countries to facilitate frictionless travel.

Public Outreach Campaigns

Public campaigns will be needed to facilitate citizen education on how applications need to be made for such e-passports and features that can be utilized fruitfully to derive maximum usage potential of the new system.

Cyber Security Risks: Any digital system suffers from inherent risks in breaches by cyber-attacks and such sensitive personal information being breached within it. Strong cybersecurity measures therefore become critical for protection in such a system.

Future Service Expansion

Future development might include:

The citizen may easily handle passport applications from his smartphone.
Integration of Other Government Services, Streamlines visa, residence permit processes, and other travel documents through one platform.

Conclusion

The introduction to e-Passport System is the transforming step forward toward modernizing travel documents. Improvement of security, efficiency in the process of application, and easy international travel for its citizens will mark Pakistan as more advanced regarding its immigration services compared to other countries. As this initiative unfolds, changes would have to be adapted toward to by stakeholders such as the government agencies and citizens but taken proactively in approaching various challenges for success during the new digital era.

FAQs

It is a very highly protected travel document containing, as part of its interior cover, an embedded electronic chip. The information within such a chip carries the individual’s biometric details coupled with other minor information from the holder for proper validation of identity and maximally secure traveling overseas.

Officially, it was launched on March 30, 2022, by Prime Minister Imran Khan. It was first introduced with diplomatic and official e-Passport System holders but was applied to all citizens from August 16, 2012-23.

There are many advantages of it, such as improved security features that prevent the paper from being forged, and faster processing through automated border control systems or e-Passport System, along with easier facilitation for overseas Pakistanis when traveling abroad.

The process e-Passport System is the online registration on the portal, presentation of the documents required, a biometric verification meeting at the RPO, and the respective fees 35.

Applicants must submit a valid Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), recent passport-sized photographs, and any other required documentation depending on the circumstances of the applicant, for example, marriage certificate if the name has been changed.

Yes, this has nearly 29 high-tech features to prevent duplication and unauthorized access. As far as international standards from ICAO are concerned, it improves verification due to its storage of biometric information.