Karachi residents seeking new passports may experience longer processing times than advertised, especially for normal and urgent categories.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) offers three options:
- Normal: Issued within 21 working days (reported delays of 3 months)
- Urgent: Issued within 5 working days (reported delays of over 1.5 months)
- Fast Track: Issued within 2 working days (meeting promised timeframe)
These delays reportedly impact Umrah pilgrims, students, and job seekers requiring passports for travel.
While the reasons for the delays remain unclear, the Fast Track category appears to be operating closer to its advertised timeframe. If you require a passport urgently, consider this option despite the higher fee.
For normal and urgent applications, be prepared for potential delays beyond the advertised timeframe. Consider contacting the DGI&P for updates on your specific application.