After your Pakistan passport application processes through DGIP, the passport becomes available for collection at the Regional Passport Office (RPO) where you originally applied — typically a 1-3 day window between dispatch notification and passport availability for pickup. The collection step is straightforward but requires specific documentation and verification procedures. Importantly, you should examine the passport carefully at the RPO before leaving — checking name spelling, date of birth, photograph quality, validity dates, and other details — because corrections are much easier addressed during the collection visit than subsequently.
When your passport is ready for collection
DGIP notifies you when passport is ready through multiple channels:
- SMS notification to your registered mobile number
- Email notification if you provided email address
- Status update on dgip.gov.pk tracking system ("Available for Collection" or similar)
- Push notification through Passport Asaan App if installed
- Sometimes phone call from RPO for specific situations
Allow 1-3 days between notification and your collection visit. The notification confirms passport is ready; same-day visits may face minor administrative delays as the passport gets formally checked into RPO collection inventory. For travelers under tight timelines, the notification provides confidence that the collection visit can be scheduled with reasonable certainty.
What to bring for passport collection
Required documentation for collection visit:
- Application tracking number (from your original RPO receipt or DGIP notification)
- Original CNIC for identity verification
- Application receipt slip provided when you submitted the application at RPO
- Old passport that's being replaced (if renewal — surrender during collection)
- Optional: print of dispatch notification email/SMS for reference
The collection process step by step
Step 1: Arrive at the RPO and identify the collection counter. Most RPOs have dedicated counters for passport collection separate from application submission. Signs or staff direct collection-seekers to the appropriate area.
Step 2: Present documentation. RPO staff verify your identity (CNIC match), match tracking number to passport inventory, and locate your specific passport. For renewals, you surrender the old passport during this step (it gets formally cancelled and retained by RPO).
Step 3: Examine the passport thoroughly. RPO staff typically present the passport for your verification before formal handover. Check all details carefully (covered in detail below). This is your opportunity to catch any errors before taking possession.
Step 4: Sign collection register. RPO maintains records of passport collections; you sign to confirm receipt. The signature creates legal record that passport was handed to you, transferring responsibility for the document.
Step 5: Leave with passport. Once collection is complete, the passport is yours. Store it safely until needed for travel. Don't forget to retain any additional documents (renewal correspondence, application receipts) for future reference.
What to verify before leaving the RPO
Examining the passport thoroughly before accepting handover prevents post-collection issues that are much harder to resolve. Check each element systematically:
- Name spelling — matches your CNIC and application exactly, including middle names and any specific transliterations
- Date of birth — matches your records precisely
- Place of birth — typically your registered place per CNIC
- Father's name — matches CNIC and application
- Passport number — note for your records
- Issue date — should be recent (within days of dispatch)
- Expiry date — should match your selected validity (5 or 10 years from issue)
- Photograph — yours, recent, clear, properly positioned within frame
- Signature on signature page — yours, captured during application
- Page count — 36 or 72 pages as selected
- Type of passport — ordinary (typically green cover for ordinary Pakistani passports)
- Machine-readable zone — bottom of biographical page; text should be clear, not faded
- Chip presence indicator on cover for e-passports
If you detect errors before leaving
For errors discovered during examination, raise them immediately with RPO staff before signing the collection register. Common error types and resolution:
Name misspelling — RPO can refer the passport back for correction. The corrected passport reissues; you wait for the corrected version. Document the original error with photographs if RPO permits, and obtain written acknowledgment of the correction request.
Wrong photograph or photo quality issues — refuse to accept the passport. Request reissuance with correct/clear photograph. The reissuance follows standard timelines for that processing category.
Wrong birth date or birthplace — these are more serious errors requiring formal correction. Document the issue with RPO staff in writing. The reissuance process may involve cross-verification with NADRA records and additional documentation.
Missing or incorrect machine-readable zone — this affects passport functionality at international borders. Reject acceptance and request reissuance.
Authorized collection by family members or representatives
If you cannot personally collect the passport (work commitments, illness, travel, etc.), authorized representatives can collect on your behalf with proper documentation:
Documentation needed for authorized collection: original authorization letter from applicant (specifying representative's name and CNIC), representative's original CNIC, applicant's original CNIC photocopy, applicant's application receipt, representative may need to show their relationship to applicant (family certificate, etc. depending on situation).
RPOs typically accept authorized collection for immediate family members (spouse, parents, adult children, siblings) more readily than extended family or unrelated representatives. Business associates or VAs collecting on behalf of employers may face additional verification requirements.
The representative cannot make changes to the passport during collection — only the original applicant can authorize corrections or modifications. For any issues detected during authorized collection, the representative typically must coordinate with original applicant for next steps.
Common collection issues
- 🚩 Forgetting application receipt — RPO may still process collection with other ID verification but expect delays
- 🚩 Visiting wrong RPO — applications collect at where they were submitted, not closest convenient RPO
- 🚩 Old passport not surrendered — must surrender during renewal collection
- 🚩 Detecting errors after leaving RPO — corrections become much harder; raise issues during collection
- 🚩 Authorized collection without proper documentation — RPO may refuse if authorization unclear
- 🚩 Visiting during closure hours — verify RPO timings before traveling (covered in F10)
After receiving your passport
Store the new passport safely. A secure home location (safe, locked drawer) protects against routine loss/damage scenarios. For passports needed for upcoming travel, place in your travel documents folder alongside tickets, visas, hotel confirmations.
Photocopy the biographical page (page with photo and personal details) and keep separately from the passport itself. This serves as backup identification in case the original passport is lost during travel — having photocopy of essentials assists emergency replacement procedures.
Photograph the biographical page and the visa pages (after visas are added) and store in cloud storage accessible from any device. Digital copies provide additional backup; useful for replacement applications if originals are lost during travel.
For travelers, ensure visas for destination countries match the new passport number. Some visas issued on old passport may need to be transferred or reissued for new passport. Embassy consultations confirm specific visa transfer requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 1-3 working days. The dispatch notification confirms DGIP has shipped the passport to your RPO; the additional time covers transport from printing facility to RPO and RPO's formal check-in process. Same-day collection occasionally works but isn't guaranteed. For travel-critical timing, plan collection visit 2-3 days after dispatch notification to ensure passport is ready when you arrive.
Home delivery option varies by RPO and may need to be selected during application. Some RPOs offer courier delivery to applicant's address for additional fee; others only support RPO collection. Verify delivery options when submitting application. If you didn't select home delivery during application, the default is RPO collection. Changes mid-process may not be possible.
RPOs typically hold collected passports for several months without issues. Long delays (over 6 months) may result in passport being returned to DGIP for storage; recovery is more complex but still possible. For practical purposes, collect within 1-3 months of dispatch notification. If extended delay is unavoidable, contact the RPO to inform them; they can extend holding period for documented reasons.
Visit the RPO with the erroneous passport, supporting documentation showing correct details (CNIC), and explanation of when the error was first noticed. RPO assesses whether the error is theirs (printing mistake) or yours (application form error). Their errors get corrected without applicant fee; your application errors may require formal modification with fee. Plan for additional 4-6 week processing for corrections; the corrected passport reissues following standard category timelines.
Yes, with proper authorization documentation. The representative needs: original authorization letter from you specifying their name and CNIC, their original CNIC, photocopy of your CNIC, your original application receipt. Immediate family members (spouse, parents, adult children, siblings) typically face easier acceptance than other representatives. Business assistants or VAs collecting for employers may face additional verification.
Pakistani RPOs typically retain surrendered passports including visa pages. Before surrender, photograph all visa pages for your records. For active visas you intend to use, contact issuing embassies about visa transfer to new passport — most major countries support transfer for valid visas. The old passport itself isn't returned to you; the photo records and any visa transfers handle continuity. Plan visa transfer requests before international travel needs.