DUBAI: In a major welcoming development for the diaspora, the issuance of e-passports has officially commenced for Pakistani citizens residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai began processing new e-passport applications starting October 23, 2026. According to public announcements issued by both missions, previously issued Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) will remain valid and usable until their official expiry dates. Citizens have been advised to apply for passport renewal only when their current document has less than six months remaining before expiry.
E-Passport Facility: Fee Structure and Categories
The fee for the new e-passports has been structured according to validity duration and page count:
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5-Year Validity (36 Pages): AED 145 (Normal processing)
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10-Year Validity (36 Pages): AED 215
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5-Year Validity (72 Pages): AED 260
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10-Year Validity (72 Pages): AED 390
Additional charges apply for urgent applications, as well as for the re-issuance of lost passports.
Important Name Requirement Guideline
Authorities have stipulated that applicants must ensure their full name—comprising both a first and a last name—is provided when applying for the e-passport.
Pakistani citizens whose current passports contain only a single name have been advised to review and update their name details prior to submitting their applications to comply with the new criteria.
Strengthening Diaspora Services
Home to over two million Pakistanis, the UAE hosts one of the largest expatriate communities, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economy through vital remittances. The introduction of the e-passport service at diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai marks a major step forward in modernizing consular services for overseas Pakistanis.
