Information Regarding Machine-Readable Passports

The Government of Pakistan has stopped issuing handwritten passports, now issuing only Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) that are valid for five (5) or ten (10) years. MRPs are issued in conformity with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

A valid original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) or Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) is mandatory for the issuance of a passport. Handritten National Identity Cards (Shanakhti Cards) are not valid, and holders should update to the Smart versions (CNIC or NICOP) to proceed.

Minors under the age of 18 may submit a Child Registration Certificate (CRC) in lieu of a CNIC or NICOP. For minors' applications, the CNIC or NICOP of each parent is also required for processing.

A CNIC issued without a facial photograph cannot be used. Please update your CNIC as necessary if applying for a passport.

Any changes to the holder's personal particulars (name, date or place of birth, etc.) will be printed only after updating one's CNIC/NICOP. These details are taken from, and must be aligned with, the data registered in NADRA's system.

Applicants with dual nationality should mark this on their application forms as required. Please keep in mind that Pakistan only has dual nationality agreements with specific countries, and that this is not a universally accepted practice.