Getting Pakistani Passport made in UK

Getting a legal document made is always a hassle and getting a Pakistani passport was also the same. But since the introduction of online services it has become a lot easier but that is only if you are renewing it. Read on how to get your or your dependents passport made.

If you already have a Pakistani passport you can renew it without even visiting the consulate everything is done online and you get it delivered to your home. But if it's the 1st time you are making it then you will need to visit the consulate and that's the hard part but you have to do it if you or your dependents want to travel. I will go over the online procedure first and then the conventional one.

Online Renewal Of Pakistani Machine Readable Passport (MRP)

It can be done using the e-Services Portal which is the front door to Directorate General of Immigration and Passports for online service for Pakistani citizens around the world. All you need is to go the website https://onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk

What you will need is your previous passport, a digital photograph, your fingerprints (explained ahead) and valid Credit / Debit card. You will be asked to make an account once that's done you will be asked for details of your previous passport, whether you need to  make any changes to your data stored in their database. You will be next asked to scan and upload, first 2 page and a certain page of your passport to verify that you have the passport. Next you will need to upload your picture the details of the requirements are mentioned on the website here. You will also need a scanned image of your NICOP / NIC (read here how to get your NICOP made). Since you will not be going to consulate, there must be some way you should be able to send your biometric. Now the system still doesn't allow you to electronically send your fingerprints so you need to do it manually. The application will give you a finger print form that you need to fill in with your finger prints using a stamp pad. Make sure the fingertips are clear and not smudged. Once you have the finger prints you need to scan it, you need a good scanner for it which allows you to set dpi (Dots per Inch) the only specifications acceptable are 600 dpi, greyscale and in JPEG format. If you are unable to do that yourself had down to your Hospital library or any stationery shop and ask them to scan with these specifications otherwise it will be rejected and they will ask you to resend it. 

Then comes the fees, there are lots of options and it depends on the priority, validity and number of pages in the passport. The details are in the figure below. The overall fees will come out to be slightly higher than the mentioned amount below because it includes delivery charges + taxes. So for 5 years, 36 page, normal I had to pay Rs. 7453 so if you are paying from your UK debit/credit card it will automatically deduct in pounds according to the bank exchange rate. 

There you go once your fees has been accepted you will get a confirmation. Recheck your application before submitting your application once submitted can not be edited. You will get a confirmation again saying your application has been submitted. All you have to do now is wait if they are happy with your documents then you should receive a response in a few days that your application has been accepted. And based on the priority of your application you will receive your passport on your doorstep.

First time or Renewal, Pakistani Machine Readable Passport applicants

Since it will be the first time you will be applying for passport you need to go through proper channel no shortcuts.

Appointment Booking

Appointment Booking is done online in either of the 4 centres. London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford. You can book in by calling as well. Beware the website may offer you book an appointment on Saturdays with no extra fees, as tempting as it may sound do not go for it. It's a glitch in the system. Passport section of the consulate do not not open on Saturdays and even if you they open they won't be able to process your application because it's connected to the High Commission in Islamabad which is closed on the weekend. I have been there and was sent back for the very same reason and was asked to book another appointment. Multiple applicants can book under a single slot.
Head over the website of the nearest center and book your appointment. It will ask whether you want to book an appointment for NICOP or MRP (Machine Readable Passport). Timings are from 10:00 - 12:30 hrs only, so be ready for a large crowd. It has no fees. You will be sent an email with confirmation. Birmingham branch is way better and quicker than the London branch so you if you want you can book in Birmingham so save yourself from the hassle.

Documents Required

If adult applying   

• Physical appearance of the candidate 
• Valid NIC / NICOP with photocopies
• Marriage Certificate 
• Previous passport if any

If under 18 applying

• Physical appearance of the candidate with either parent 
• Valid NICOP / CRC with photocopies 
• Valid NIC / NICOP, passports, BRP of the both the parents with photocopies 
• Birth certificate with parents name with photocopies

Fees and processing time

All Fees mentioned above include £2.00 bank surcharge and £10 Delivery Charges

Visiting the Passport Office

Reach the your selected Passport office at least 15 minutes before the appointment. NADRA and Passport office are located within the same premises. You will also find others with the similar time slot. So it's basically first come first serve basis even if you have an appointment. The environment is pretty similar to the NADRA and passport back home in terms of attitude and working pace of the staff.

Initially head over to the counter to collect your token and get your documents checked and sorted. You will be asked how urgently do you need the NICOP a token will be be generated accordingly plus a bank slip. A UBL (United Bank Limited) branch is usually on the premises where you will have to pay the fees. There will be photocopy machines on premises too, its 25p per page. Handy if you forgot to make copies  Keep the token and bank slip safe and wait for your turn in the queue.

First will be a station where the applicant will be photographed now if it's a infant you are going to have a hard time making your infant face the camera. Make sure they are well fed and calm to speed up the process. The next station will be data entry and fingerprints. Pretty straight forward. You will be given a print out at the end to recheck all the data once you are satisfied sign return the form to the officials and you are all done.

Delivery of MRP

There is no delivery of the passport, yes you read it right. But you are charged for the delivery aren't you? Yes that's for the delivery to the consulate address. So you need to collect the the passport, they will give you a date which probably not be the within 10 or 20 days you paid for and you can't argue on that either. So wait patiently and hope that you receive the passport on the given date. 

Congrats on getting your passport made and if you are planning to apply for a BRP for your dependent you can now proceed as passport is a pre requisite for it.

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