Pakistani Passport: Types and Travel Benefits

If you want to travel internationally, a passport is the first thing you need. A passport is a travel document that the government of the country issues to eligible citizens for international travel. Pakistan issues three main types of passports that include: ordinary or green passport, diplomatic passport and official or blue passport. Pakistan also offers an emergency travel document to overseas citizens in case of emergency.  

 According to the Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship passport index, the Pakistani passport ranks 103rd globally and gives access to 29 countries; 11 of these countries offer visa free entry, while 15 offer visa on arrival and 3 require an Electronic Travel Authorization. 

This article explains the Pakistani passport, its types and the benefits of having a Pakistani passport. 

What Is a Pakistani Passport?

A Pakistani passport is a document issued by the Government of Pakistan to confirm the nationality of the person and allows international travel. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) issues the passports to eligible citizens in Pakistan. Immigration officers then use these details to confirm the person’s identity.

Pakistani citizens living overseas can also apply for passports through authorised embassies. It is important for investors and families to check the recent immigration rules from the official websites. 

Types of Pakistani Passports

According to the Passport Act 1974 and Passport Rules 2021, Pakistan issues three main types of passports: ordinary, official, and diplomatic, as well as emergency travel documents.

1- Ordinary Passport (Green Passport)

A green passport is the ordinary passport in Pakistan, which is issued to eligible nationals for international travel. The validity of a green passport is normally 5 years or 10 years and children under 15 years of age can only get a passport with 5 years of validity.

Individuals can use a green passport for global travels like visiting another country, studying, working overseas, attending business meetings or traveling for medical treatments.

2- Official Passport (Blue Passport)

A blue passport is known as the official passport in Pakistan. It is mostly issued to government officials and other authorised individuals to travel for government duties. Not every individual working in a government department can qualify for a blue passport. Eligibility mainly depends on government responsibilities, an individual’s position and passport rules.

3. Diplomatic Passport (Red Passport)

A red passport or diplomatic passport is issued to senior government authorities, diplomats, state dignitaries and other officials who represent Pakistan internationally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) authorises diplomatic passports and the passport authorities handle the issuance. Red passport holders receive special treatment or visa exemptions according to the international agreements between Pakistan and other countries. 

4. Emergency Travel Document (ETD)

An emergency travel document is a temporary document issued by the government for overseas Pakistani citizens who need to return to the country in case of emergency. 

For example, an overseas Pakistani may have lost his passport and has to return home on an urgent basis. In these conditions, the Pakistani embassy may issue an ETD after the individual completes the required checks. 

Benefits of Pakistani Passport

There are many benefits of a Pakistani passport, including:

1. Proof of nationality

A Pakistani passport confirms the citizenship status for legal, banking and official purposes both at home and abroad.

2. International Travel

Pakistani passport holders can travel internationally after meeting the rules and requirements of the destination country. For example, in 2024, Turkey hosted 62.2 million visitors and 135,000 were Pakistani’s among them. Similarly, some countries offer visa free entry or visas on arrival for Pakistani citizens.

3. Study Abroad Opportunities

Pakistani students can use their passports to apply for overseas education. Many countries such as the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia offer study visa routes for the international students. Applicants generally need a valid passport, admission letter, financial documents and a student visa.

4. Overseas Employment 

Pakistani passport is essential for international employment or work visa applications. Many Pakistani nationals seek employment in the Gulf, Europe and other international labour markets. An applicant needs the destination country’s visa, work permit or residency authorisation to work in that country.   

5. Dual Nationality 

Pakistan permits dual nationality, which means citizens can get a second nationality without giving up their original passport.

Conclusion

Pakistani passport is the main document for citizens to travel internationally. The Pakistani passport has three main types and each of them is designed for different purposes. The ordinary or green passport is for local citizens, the official or blue passport is for government or authorized bodies and the diplomatic or red passport is for authorised state dignitaries. Pakistan also offers an emergency travel document (ETD) to overseas Pakistanis for emergency travel in case of a lost passport or emergency situations.