Pakistan to End Cash Passport Fee Payments From July 1

Pakistan’s passport authorities have announced a nationwide shift to fully digital fee payments from July 1, 2026, ending the cash-based system currently used at passport offices across the country. The decision marks a major administrative change for millions of citizens who apply for new passports, renew existing documents or seek travel facilitation services.

The announcement was made during a briefing chaired by Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa with zonal heads. Officials were informed that, after the deadline, passport offices will accept fee payments only through QR code-based digital channels instead of cash counters or manual payment handling.

The reform is aimed at making passport services more transparent, faster and easier to track. By replacing cash payments with digital transactions, the department expects to reduce queues, limit payment disputes, improve record-keeping and create a cleaner audit trail for one of Pakistan’s most widely used public service systems.

Officials said the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports is also preparing to introduce a dedicated mobile application. The planned app will allow Pakistani citizens inside the country and abroad to submit passport applications online, while also enabling delivery of passports to applicants’ doorsteps once processing is completed.

The digital payment move is part of a broader modernisation drive within the passport system. Authorities have indicated that Pakistan will gradually move toward issuing only e-passports in the future, bringing travel documentation closer to international standards and improving security features linked to identity verification.

Existing machine-readable passports will remain valid until their expiry dates and will continue to be accepted. This clarification is important for travellers, overseas Pakistanis and families planning international movement, as it means citizens will not be required to replace valid documents immediately because of the shift toward e-passports.

Pakistan’s passport offices have often faced pressure because of high demand, long queues and administrative delays, especially during peak travel seasons. Digital payments and online applications could reduce physical visits to offices and make the process more convenient for applicants in smaller cities, remote areas and foreign countries.

The reform also fits into Pakistan’s wider push to digitise government services and reduce reliance on cash transactions. Similar steps across public departments can help improve transparency, cut procedural delays and make service delivery more citizen-focused, provided the technology remains accessible to people with limited digital literacy.

For ordinary Pakistanis, the biggest impact will be felt from July 1, when applicants will need to use approved digital payment methods instead of cash. The next step for authorities will be to issue clear instructions on QR payments, app usage, overseas access and support arrangements for citizens who may need help during the transition.