Pakistan Embassy Postpones E-Passport Services in UAE Until Further Notice

The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has postponed the launch of e-passport services across the UAE, delaying a rollout that had been scheduled to begin on July 20, while assuring residents that existing passport services will continue as normal.

The embassy announced the decision in a public notice issued on Sunday, stating that the introduction of e-passport services has been deferred because of technical and administrative reasons. Officials did not provide a revised launch date but said further updates would be communicated once preparations are complete.

E-Passport Applications Remain Suspended

According to the embassy, applications under the e-passport category will not be accepted or processed until a new implementation date is announced.

The planned rollout had been expected to modernise passport services for Pakistani nationals living in the UAE, but applicants will now need to wait for an official announcement before submitting requests under the new system.

Existing Passport Services Continue

The embassy clarified that the postponement affects only the e-passport programme.

Issuance and renewal of Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) will continue under existing procedures, allowing Pakistani nationals to apply for new passports or renew expiring documents without disruption.

Officials encouraged applicants requiring immediate passport services to continue using the current MRP process until e-passport services become available.

Embassy Urges Residents to Follow Official Updates

The embassy thanked members of the Pakistani community for their patience and cooperation following the postponement.

It also advised residents to monitor the embassy’s official website and verified social media channels for announcements regarding the revised launch schedule and any future updates on e-passport services.

What the Delay Means for Pakistani Expats

For now, the postponement does not affect routine passport renewals or new passport applications under the existing system.

Pakistani nationals planning travel or passport renewals are advised to apply through the standard Machine-Readable Passport process until the embassy confirms the launch of e-passport services.

The embassy has not indicated how long the postponement will remain in effect, saying only that the revised implementation date will be announced once the technical and administrative issues have been resolved.