Directorate General Immigration & Passports

What Directorate General Immigration & Passports does

The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) is an attached department of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, operating as the sole statutory authority for issuance of Machine Readable Passports (MRP), e-Passports, visas, citizenship certificates, and renunciation certificates under the Passport Act 1974, Passport Rules 2021, and Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951. Its core products span physical travel documents — a standard MRP with 5- or 10-year validity and 36/72/100-page options, and an e-Passport launched March 2022 with 29 security features and a biometric chip carrying facial and fingerprint data — alongside a Machine Readable Visa, an e-Visa platform serving citizens of 192 countries, and certificates of citizenship and renunciation. The technology stack integrates with NADRA for identity verification and biometric capture, runs an automated MRP/e-Passport production workflow, and includes the SHIKRA real-time monitoring system inaugurated in January 2026.

The business model is fee-based and government-administered: revenue is generated through passport application fees (Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 40,500 depending on type, validity, page count, and processing tier), tiered processing premiums (Normal 21 working days, Urgent 5 days, Fast Track 2 working days at 47 cities), visa fees charged on a reciprocal basis to foreign nationals, and additional NADRA service charges at Executive Passport Offices. Distribution combines 79+ Regional Passport Offices, NADRA-hosted Passport Processing Counters, NADRA Mega Centers with extended/24/7 hours in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, the Passport Fee Asaan digital payment platform (mobile app + web portal integrating 1-Link banks, JazzCash, Easypaisa, and Paymaster), and 98 Pakistan Foreign Missions abroad. Customers are Pakistani citizens, overseas Pakistanis, dual nationals, foreign nationals, and government officials — a horizontally segmented, non-discretionary user base served through physical counters, online application portals, and TCS-enabled home delivery rolled out from July 2026.

Name

Directorate General Immigration & Passports

Legal name

Directorate General of Immigration & Passports

Website

https://dgip.gov.pk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

DGI&P is Pakistan's government authority under the Ministry of Interior, issuing Machine Readable and e-Passports, visas, citizenship, and renunciation certificates to Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals through 79+ domestic offices, NADRA-integrated counters, and 98 foreign missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Immigration & Passport Services

NAICS

Postal Service (491), Offices of Notaries (54112)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Passport & Identity Document Management (THALAPAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visa & eVisa Processing Platforms (THALAPAA), Immigration Support Services (Translations, Certified Copies, Biometrics, Medicals) (THACAKAH), Visa, Passport & Travel Documentation Support (HSACAKAH)

Keywords

• Passport issuance services
• Visa processing
• Immigration administration
• Biometric e-passport
• Citizenship certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Passport Application Fees: Government-mandated fees collected for passport issuance, renewal, and processing. Fees vary by passport type (MRP/e-Passport), validity period (5/10 years), page count (36/72/100), and processing speed (Normal/Urgent/Fast Track)
2. Visa Fees: Reciprocal visa fees charged to foreign nationals based on their country of origin. Fee varies by visa category including tourist, business, work, study, medical, and diplomatic visas
3. Citizenship and Renunciation Services: Fees for citizenship certificates, naturalization, and renunciation of Pakistan citizenship
4. NADRA Service Charges: Additional service charges collected at Executive Passport Offices (EPOs) and Passport Processing Counters (PPCs) for NADRA services

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DGI&P is Pakistan's central government authority responsible for issuing Machine Readable Passports (MRP) and biometric e-Passports to Pakistani citizens, processing visas (Machine Readable Visas and e-Visas) for foreign nationals, and granting Pakistan Citizenship and Renunciation Certificates. Services are delivered through 71+ Regional Passport Offices domestically, NADRA Mega Centers, Passport Processing Counters, and 98 Pakistan Missions abroad, with digital channels including the Passport Fee Asaan app and online renewal portal.

Product overview

Directorate General Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) operates as Pakistan's government passport and immigration authority under the Ministry of Interior. The organization offers a portfolio of products spanning physical travel documents (Machine Readable Passports and e-Passports with biometric chips), digital services (Online Passport Renewal, Passport Fee Asaan payment app), visa processing (e-Visa for 175 countries, Machine Readable Visas), and citizenship services (citizenship certificates, renunciation). The portfolio includes multiple service tiers such as Fast Track processing, 24/7 operations, and home delivery. Recent modernization includes the 2022 e-Passport launch with 29 security features, nationwide online passport renewal (2023), and 24/7 service expansion (2026). The ecosystem integrates with NADRA for identity verification, Paymaster for payments, and 1-Link/JazzCash/Easypaisa for fee collection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Passport Fee Asaan: Digital initiative for passport fee calculation and payment through mobile app and web portal
• e-Passport
• SHIKRA

Products and services

• Machine Readable Passport (MRP) Standard passport with optical character recognition (OCR) readable data strip, valid for 5 or 10 years, available in 36-, 72-, and 100-page formats. Issued to all Pakistani citizens for international travel; processing in Normal (21 working days), Urgent (5 working days), or Fast Track (2 working days in 47 cities).
• e-Passport Electronic passport with embedded biometric chip storing the holder's facial-recognition data and fingerprints. Features 29 security features including electronic data storage and e-gate compatibility. Available in 36- and 72-page variants, 5- or 10-year validity; Fast Track not available.
• Online Passport Application and Renewal Digital platform enabling Pakistani citizens to apply for new passports and renew existing passports online without visiting Regional Passport Offices. Available for inland applicants and overseas Pakistanis through the Inland Online Passport Renewal Facility.
• e-Visa (Online Visa System) Electronic visa system allowing citizens of 175–192 countries (per varying sources) to apply online for Pakistani visas. Supports Visa Prior to Arrival for 120 countries for business, tourism, and Sikh pilgrimage; e-Visa categories for business, tourism, and Sikh pilgrimage.
• Machine Readable Visa (MRV) Standard visa issued at DGI&P headquarters and zonal offices to foreign nationals for entry into Pakistan. Covers tourist, business, work, study, medical, family, and diplomatic categories.
• Official Passport Passport issued to Pakistani government officials, senators, MNAs, provincial ministers, judges, and officers proceeding abroad on official assignments. Processed per Passport Rules 2021 (Schedule-III).
• Diplomatic Passport Passport issued to state dignitaries and diplomats. Requires processing authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; issuance handled by DGI&P Headquarters per Schedule-IV of the Passport Rules 2021.
• Emergency Travel Document (ETD) One-time travel document issued to Pakistanis abroad in emergencies to return to Pakistan. SOPs govern issuance through Pakistan missions.
• Pakistan Citizenship Certificate Certificate granting Pakistani citizenship through marriage, naturalization, fund transfer (Rs. 5 million for Commonwealth citizens), or long legal stay in Pakistan. Governed by Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951.
• Renunciation Certificate Certificate for Pakistani citizens renouncing their nationality. Process via Form X at Pakistan foreign missions with NADRA CNIC/NICOP cancellation required.
• Passport Fee Asaan Mobile App and Web Portal Mobile and web application for calculating and paying passport fees online via bank transfers, ATMs, and mobile payment apps (JazzCash, Easypaisa). Generates PSID for fee payment at 1-Link member banks and provides status checking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.5 million passport backlog cleared in 2.5 months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority)coreTechnology or IntegrationNADRA provides identity verification infrastructure, operates Mega Centers and Passport Processing Counters (PPCs) inside their offices, and provides biometric technology integration. Contract signed between IMPASS and NADRA for establishment of 30 PPCs at Tehsil level and introduction of Inland Online Passport Renewal Facility.
• Ministry of Interior, Government of PakistancoreOthersDGI&P is an attached department of the Ministry of Interior, responsible for matters concerning issuance of Passports, Visas, Pakistan Citizenship and Renunciation Certificates.
• 1-Link Member BanksmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner banks enabling passport fee payment through ATM, Internet banking, branch counters, including National Bank of Pakistan, JazzCash, and Easypaisa digital payment platforms.
• PaymastermajorTechnology or IntegrationPayment gateway service provider enabling online PSID generation, fee payment processing, and status checking for Passport Fee Asaan platform.
• TCS (Courier Service)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome Delivery Service - Passport at your doorstep initiative launched July 2026. TCS provides passport delivery services to applicants.
• Pakistan Missions AbroadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor98 Pakistan Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates worldwide serve as distribution channels for visa issuance, passport services, and citizenship matters for overseas Pakistanis and foreign applicants.
• Pakistan Citizen's PortalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment integration for citizen complaints registration and grievance tracking. Accessible via mobile app and web portal.
• Federal Ombudsman (Wafaqi Mohtasib) SecretariatmajorOthersGrievance Commissioner Cell for Overseas Pakistanis established in Federal Ombudsman Secretariat to address individual and systematic issues of overseas Pakistanis related to government services.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BLS International Services: BLS International is an Indian-listed outsourcing company providing visa, passport, and citizen services to governments globally. Directly comparable to VFS Global and TLScontact as a private-sector channel partner serving passport authorities, including in Pakistan-adjacent markets.
• Bangladesh Department of Immigration & Passports: Bangladesh's government authority for passport, visa, and immigration services. Directly comparable as a South Asian national passport agency issuing Machine Readable and e-Passports with biometric features and overseas mission services.
• VFS Global: VFS Global is a private outsourcing and technology services company that manages visa and passport application services on behalf of governments, including in Pakistan. Directly comparable as an outsourced front-end channel that complements government passport authorities like DGI&P in service delivery.
• India Passport Seva (Ministry of External Affairs): India's central passport issuance authority under the Ministry of External Affairs. Operates an analogous Machine Readable Passport and e-Passport program with biometric capture, online appointment booking, and nationwide Passport Seva Kendras — the closest functional peer to DGI&P given regional context and similar citizen-base scale.
• TLScontact: TLScontact provides outsourced visa and consular services for governments, operating visa application centers globally. Directly comparable to VFS Global as an outsourced channel complementing DGI&P's visa operations across Pakistan Missions.
• Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration: Sri Lanka's central government authority for passport issuance, visa processing, and citizenship matters. Operates e-Passport issuance with biometric features and overseas consular services — a regional direct peer with similar passport/visa product mix.
• UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP): UAE's federal authority combining identity, citizenship, and immigration functions. Operates the UAE Passport, Emirates ID, and visa systems with biometric infrastructure — comparable as a Gulf-region peer with advanced digital and biometric capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• HM Passport Office (UK): UK's central passport issuance agency under His Majesty's Government. Operates a mature e-Passport program, online renewal, and Premium same-day services — comparable as a broader established incumbent offering passport services within a much larger portfolio of consular functions.
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs: U.S. government passport and visa authority issuing U.S. passports and managing visa services globally. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering biometric U.S. Passports, e-Visa systems, and consular services through a global embassy network — analogous scale and scope to DGI&P's domestic-plus-mission footprint.

Others

• NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority of Pakistan): Pakistan's national identity database authority and DGI&P's primary technology integration partner. Operates the CNIC/NICOP system, biometric infrastructure, and the e-Visa portal visa.nadra.gov.pk on behalf of DGI&P — comparable as an enabling technology partner rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dgipofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/DGIPofficial

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Directorate General Immigration & Passports