The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has announced that the commencement of issuance of e-Passports for Pakistanis has been deferred until further notice.
In a post on X, the embassy said that the start of this process was set for July 20, 2026. The delay is due to unavoidable technical and administrative reasons.
— Pakistan Embassy UAE (@PakinUAE_) July 19, 2026
A new date will be announced by the Embassy.
“The existing Machine Readable Passport issuance and renewal services shall continue without any interruption under the existing procedure”, said the embassy.
It is pertinent to mention that e-passports for Pakistanis are important because they make international travel safer, faster, and more convenient.
Additionally, e-Passports comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, making them easier to verify by immigration authorities worldwide.
The e-passport contains an electronic chip that securely stores the holder’s biometric and personal information.
Earlier, Pakistani Embassy and Consulates in Abu Dhabi and Dubai said that they would accept applications only for e-Passports.
According to the Pakistani diplomatic mission, the purpose of the decision is to provide overseas Pakistanis with modern and secure travel documents that meet international standards.
