A passport is the most essential document for a person who lives in a foreign country. For many Pakistanis living, studying, or working in the UK, how to renew their passports is an issue that upsets them. Some of them even don’t know the basic required documents for passport renewal. Therefore, in this text, we will cover everything you need to know about Pakistani passport renewal in the UK.
When to renew Pakistani passport
As a Pakistani national living in the UK, there are some cases where you have to renew your passport as soon as possible. You must conduct a Pakistani passport renewal process in the following situations:
- When your passport is expired
Pakistani passports are valid for 5 or 10 years, subject to the fee deposited into the bank. If your passport is out of validity, it is essential to apply for renewal to continue using it for traveling or other purposes.
- When your passport is damaged
Unfortunately, if your Pakistani passport is defective or damaged, it cannot be used anymore. Any major damage, such as water damage, torn pages, or mutilation, may need to be renewed. You must ensure your passport is in good condition so you can use it safely and soundly in the UK. Once the passport is damaged, renew it immediately.
- When your personal information changed
If your personal information, including your name, marriage status, or house address, has been changed, you must apply for your passport renewal to reflect these changes.
- When your visa pages are expired
The visa pages of Pakistani passports are limited. Once all the space in your passport is filled, it is crucial to do the passport renewal application.
If you run out of space for new visas, checking the visa pages in your passport and making plans for renewal is essential.
Required documents for Pakistani passport renewal
For Pakistani citizens living or working in the UK, renewing their passports is important when the above-mentioned situations happen. To proceed with the renewal application, you should prepare the following required documents.
- Supporting documents (e.g. a copy of an expired passport, resident permit)
- A 35x45mm photo up to 5MB
- A completed form with your fingerprint on it
- A bank card for paying the application expense
How to renew Pakistani passport in UK
The process of the Pakistani passport renewal application is not that difficult. You can follow the guides below step by step.
Step 1: Make a registration
You must register an account through the internet portal. Visit the official website, https://onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk/, to access it. Then, provide your e-mail address and a valid mobile phone number for authentication. If you are currently in the UK, you will receive the codes via e-mail. But if you’ve had a registered account, just use the existing account name and password to log on to the page.
Step 2: Apply online
After registering an account, you must apply for passport renewal via the portal. Fill in all the application information accurately, then upload your photo, and fingerprints as well as the identification documents.
Follow the guide on passport renewal on the homepage. For Pakistanis in the UK, home delivery is available. You must upload the information to the system below:
- Your current address
- The permanent address
- Documents required for application
- Four fingerprints needed for the system
Step 3: Pay the application fee
Use Visa/MasterCard Code/IBAN credit card to pay the application fee. The Embassy of Pakistan in London will process your passport renewal application and deliver your machine-readable passport according to your chosen delivery method.
Pakistani passport renewal fee
The application fee and the delivery time are subject to the application type. The delivery time also depends on the process of verifying your information. The following chart of passport renewal fee is for your reference:
| Application Type | Fee for 5 years | Fee for 10 years | Delivery time |
| 2 New MRP/Renewal of MRP (Normal) | £32 | £56 | 20 Days |
| New MRP / Renewal of MRP (Urgent) | £52 | £92 | 10 Days |
How long does it take to renew Pakistani passport
The table below shows the approximate time required to complete the online application, provided all prerequisites are met.
| Estimated Completion Time | ||
| No. | Items for Passport Renewal | Processing Time |
| 1 | Register account | 2 min |
| 2 | Choose application category | 1 min |
| 3 | Show passport delivery details | 1 min |
| 4 | Pay the applicaiton fee | 2 min |
| 5 | Provide personal information | 1 min |
| 6 | Provide address details | 2 min |
| 7 | Upload photograph | 1 min |
| 8 | Upload supporting documents | 1 min |
| 9 | Print, scan and upload fingerprint form | 5 min |
| 10 | Review and Submit application | 0.5 min |
| Total Estimated Time | 16.5 min | |
How can I track my Pakistani passport in UK?
The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP), Government of Pakistan, will provide the Pakistani passport tracking. You can track your passport through the following methods.
- Track your Pakistani passport through the official website
As a Pakistani in the UK, you can visit the official website of the relevant embassy or consulate. Look for the passport service section, and enter the required information such as the tracking number you received during the application process, passport application number, or passport number. Then follow the instructions to track the status of your passport renewal application.
- Track your Pakistani passport via Token/SMS Number
The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP) has performed the SMS-based passport tracking notification system. Therefore, you can easily track your passport status via SMS. Just send your 11-digit token number to 9988 and then you can receive updated information about your passport application processing, including passport printing and delivery. All the information you need will be sent to your registered mobile phone number.
FAQ
Can I travel to Pakistan with an expired Pakistani passport?
Generally, it is not allowable to travel to Pakistan with an expired Pakistani passport. You should note that you cannot take flights back to your nation if your passport is invalid. However, if you have applied for passport renewal but haven’t collected it yet, you can show your expired passport and receipt of the renewal of your passport as evidence to enter Pakistan.
Can I renew my Pakistani passport before it expires?
If your Pakistani passport has not expired and still in a validity of 12 months or less, you may apply for an extension (both national and abroad) to get a machine-readable passport with 5/10 years. However, you may be required to offer a statement describing the reason why you apply for a new passport before its expiration date.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as Pakistani citizens in the UK, if your Pakistani passport is expired or damaged, or your personal information is changed, you must apply to renew it. Prepare all the documents required for passport renewal, then follow the guides mentioned above, you can collect your new passport with ease. Good luck to you!
Erin Lo