Pakistan Passport System Goes Digital With App, QR Payments
Pakistan’s immigration and passport authorities have announced a major digital reform plan aimed at reshaping how citizens apply for, renew and receive passports, with new technology-based services expected to reduce delays and improve public access across the country.
Director General of Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa said on Friday that the department is moving toward a more modern service model built around a passport mobile application, doorstep delivery and QR code-based payments. The reforms are being presented as part of a wider effort to make official documentation faster, more transparent and less dependent on manual procedures.
Under the proposed digital system, citizens will be able to use a mobile app to apply for passport services, submit renewal requests, track application progress and access key information without repeated visits to passport offices. Officials say the change is designed to address long-standing complaints about queues, delays and unnecessary interaction with intermediaries.
Randhawa said the department is also working on a home delivery facility that would allow applicants to receive passports at their registered address. He described the initiative as a public convenience measure, especially for working citizens, overseas-bound travellers and people living in areas where access to passport offices remains difficult.
The official statement also highlighted the planned introduction of QR code-based payments for passport-related services. According to the immigration chief, digital payments are expected to make transactions more secure and traceable while limiting the role of middlemen and reducing opportunities for illegal charges or informal payments.
The reforms are being pursued under the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose ministry has been pushing public-service departments to use technology for faster delivery and improved accountability. The passport office has faced public pressure in recent years due to delays in issuance, backlog concerns and complaints about dependence on in-person processing.
Pakistan has already taken steps toward upgrading travel documentation through e-passport facilities and online fee systems, but the latest announcement suggests a broader shift toward an integrated digital service environment. If implemented effectively, the new app and payment model could bring passport services closer to the digital standards used in many countries.
The passport system is directly linked to millions of Pakistanis, including students, workers, pilgrims, business travellers and overseas job seekers. Faster processing and transparent tracking could have a practical impact on travel planning, foreign employment, education admissions and emergency movement for families.
The next phase will depend on rollout timelines, technical readiness and the department’s ability to support users across different regions. Authorities will be expected to provide clear instructions, protect applicant data and ensure that citizens without advanced digital access are not left behind as the system moves online.