Rs219 Billion in Five Years: Govt Rakes in Record Revenue from Pakistani Passport Fees

Govt Collects Rs219.93 Billion from New and Renewed Passports

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has collected Rs219.93 billion (Rs219 billion 93 crore 10 lakh) from passport fees over the last five fiscal years, according to figures presented in the Senate. The money came from fees on new passports and renewals of Pakistani passports.

The Ministry of Interior also said that no proposal to reduce Pakistan passport fees is currently under consideration. That is a disappointment for the millions of overseas Pakistanis and domestic applicants who pay these fees every year.

What the Interior Ministry Told the Senate

The details came in a written reply to a question from Senator Talha Mahmood. The Senate session was chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan.

The ministry said passport fee revenue has gone to the national exchequer in every year of the five-year period. It also explained that producing and procuring e-passports costs more than ordinary passports, which is part of the context for fee decisions.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Pakistan Passport Fee Revenue

Collections rose steeply through most of the period. They reached their highest level in 2024-25, then fell the following year.

Percentage changes are calculated from the figures provided to the Senate.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

• Total collection: Rs219.93 billion over five years
• Peak year: 2024-25, with Rs64.39 billion, about 29% of the five-year total
• Growth: Annual revenue nearly tripled between 2021-22 and 2024-25
• Latest year: Revenue fell to Rs48.52 billion in 2025-26
• Yearly average: About Rs44 billion
• Fee policy: The ministry says no fee reduction is being considered

Why Passport Fee Revenue Rose So Sharply

Higher Demand for Pakistani Passports

Passport applications have been strong in recent years. More Pakistanis are travelling abroad for work, study and family reasons, and every new application and renewal adds to the government’s non-tax revenue.

Fee Revisions Over the Years

Fee structures for passports of different validity periods and processing speeds also affect collections. A higher fee per passport pushes total revenue up even when application numbers stay the same.

The Shift Toward e-Passports

Pakistan is moving in phases from machine-readable passports to the e-passport system. The ministry said the rollout follows International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. E-passports carry an electronic chip with the holder’s biometric data and are considered harder to forge.

Why e-Passports Cost More to Produce

The ministry’s reply stressed that e-passports are more expensive to make and buy than ordinary passports. This is the main reason it gave for keeping fees where they are.

What the Shift to e-Passports Means for Applicants

• A chip-based passport that meets international standards, accepted at borders worldwide
• Stronger protection against forgery and identity fraud
• Smoother immigration checks at airports with e-gates

What Applicants Should Do

Fee amounts depend on the passport’s validity period, page count and processing speed. Applicants should check the latest fee schedule on the official website of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) or at their nearest regional passport office before paying.

Reaction and What Comes Next

The Senate reply makes clear that applicants should not expect cheaper passports soon. Revenue dropped in 2025-26 after peaking the year before, but the ministry did not say whether any fee changes are being considered because of it.

With the e-passport rollout continuing, production costs are likely to remain a central point in any future discussion of passport pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much has the government earned from passport fees in five years?

The government earned Rs219.93 billion from passport fees between 2021-22 and 2025-26.

Will the passport fee in Pakistan be reduced?

No. The Ministry of Interior told the Senate that no proposal to reduce passport fees is under consideration.

Which year saw the highest passport fee collection?

The highest collection was in 2024-25, at Rs64.39 billion.

Why are e-passports more expensive?

According to the ministry, making and buying e-passports costs more than ordinary passports because of the chip technology and the ICAO-standard security features.

Is Pakistan moving fully to e-passports?

Yes, in phases. The country is moving from machine-readable passports to the e-passport system.

The Rs219.93 billion collected in five years shows how large a revenue source passport services have become for the national treasury. With the Interior Ministry ruling out a fee cut and e-passport costs still a factor, applicants will likely keep paying current rates for now.