Immigration to Pakistan and Pakistan Passport Process – Step by Step Guide
Immigration to Pakistan and Pakistan passport process explained step by step, including visa routes, entry compliance, NADRA identity pathway, and complete passport application stages for citizens and overseas Pakistanis.
Immigration to Pakistan and Pakistan Passport Process – Step by Step Guide
Immigration to Pakistan and Pakistan passport process can feel complicated because the journey usually involves two separate tracks: (1) lawful entry and stay, and (2) identity and citizenship proof before passport issuance. Pakistan’s immigration and identity systems now operate in a structured sequence, allowing most applicants to complete the process smoothly when the correct order is followed.
Who This Page Is For
This guidance is designed for:
- Foreign nationals planning immigration to Pakistan
- Overseas Pakistanis needing NICOP alignment
- Pakistani citizens applying for passport
- Children born abroad of Pakistani parents
- Families requiring citizenship linkage
Immigration to Pakistan – Legal Pathway Overview
Immigration to Pakistan is a sequence:
- Lawful entry through visa
- Lawful stay and compliance
- Identity and citizenship proof
- Passport issuance
A visa permits entry and stay.
A passport confirms citizenship and identity.
Step 1 — Visa, Entry Permission, and Lawful Stay
Pakistan immigration begins with correct visa category selection and lawful entry. Applicants must maintain valid stay, avoid overstay, and ensure passport validity during residence.
Common compliance issues include:
- Overstay
- Wrong visa purpose
- Expired foreign passport
Citizenship-track applicants must maintain valid status until citizenship completion.
Step 2 — Identity and Citizenship Track (CNIC, NICOP, CRC)
A Pakistan passport cannot be issued without identity and citizenship confirmation.
For overseas applicants, the usual order is:
Citizenship by descent → NICOP/CRC → Family linkage → Passport
Many passport delays arise from:
- Unregistered overseas birth
- Parent citizenship by descent
- Name mismatches
- Missing family linkage
Step 3 — Pakistan Passport Eligibility
Applicants may proceed when:
- Pakistani citizenship confirmed
- CNIC/NICOP/CRC consistent
- Supporting documents aligned
- Biometrics and interview possible
Children under 15 receive 5-year validity passports.
Step 4 — Pakistan Passport Application Process
Typical DGIP sequence:
- Arrival and token
- Fee verification and photograph
- Biometrics
- Data entry
- Verification
- Interview
- Passport delivery
Many offices use one-window processing.
Passport Fee Payment
Passport Fee Asaan allows electronic PSID generation and payment via banking channels. Applicants must retain proof for verification.
Step 5 — Fees and Timelines
Typical DGIP reference:
Normal passport (36 pages): Rs 4,500
Urgent passport (36 pages): Rs 7,500
Normal processing: 21 working days
Fees vary by validity, pages, and urgency category.
Special Cases
Minors
Require CRC linkage and parental verification.
Married Female Applicants
Identity should reflect marital status.
Government Employees
Require departmental NOC.
Citizenship-Track Applicants
Must maintain foreign passport and visa until citizenship completion.
Common Causes of Passport Delay
- Identity mismatch
- Missing linkage
- Fee category error
- Unregistered descent
- Name inconsistencies
Pakistan Legal Forum – Immigration Legal Assistance
Immigration to Pakistan and passport procedures often involve citizenship and identity law interpretation. Pakistan Legal Forum provides structured legal assistance through its nationwide network of 33 member law firms.
Immigration lawyers operate through offices in:
- Karachi
- Islamabad
- Lahore
Services include:
- Immigration pathway planning
- Citizenship by descent cases
- NICOP and identity correction
- Passport eligibility preparation
- Family linkage verification
- Record correction and compliance