Pakistan Moves to Home Delivery of E-Passports in Oman
New reforms aim to modernize passport services, boost security, and simplify delivery for Pakistanis in Oman and beyond.
Pakistani expatriates in Oman may soon receive their e-passports at home, as Pakistan moves toward a fully electronic passport system. The update is part of a wider reform plan to modernize passport services, improve security, and make the process easier for citizens.
The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters in Islamabad.
Officials said the full shift to e-passports is expected to reduce fraud and forgery linked to travel documents, while also bringing Pakistan’s passport system in line with international standards.
Naqvi said the reforms would strengthen the integrity of the country’s passport system and improve services for citizens at home and abroad.
As part of the new changes, authorities have completed preparations for a home delivery service for passports inside Pakistan and overseas. Once the service starts, applicants will be able to receive their passports at their doorstep without needing to visit passport offices for collection.
The meeting also approved a revised fee structure. Under the new plan, applicants choosing premium passport services will pay charges that match the actual cost of providing those services.
In another major step, passport offices across Pakistan will move to a cashless payment system from July 1. The move is aimed at improving transparency and supporting the digitization of public services.
Online passport applications will also be shifted to the Pak ID platform, helping create a more integrated and efficient digital application process.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, said the embassy in Muscat processes more than 100 passport applications daily on average.
According to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), there were 290,816 Pakistani expatriates living in Oman as of the end of March 2026. They work across many sectors, including construction, oil and gas, healthcare, education, and hospitality.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the proposed Business Passport policy. Naqvi directed officials to finalize the policy at the earliest in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), saying it would facilitate legitimate business travel while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Director General of Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the meeting on ongoing reforms, operational improvements, and future plans for the passport and immigration system.
The latest initiatives are part of Pakistan’s wider push to digitize government services, improve efficiency, and offer citizens faster, more secure, and more accessible passport services.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.