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Updated April 2024

The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) is a centralized identity card available to overseas Pakistanis. While it is not mandatory to have one, NICOP holders will be able to enjoy several benefits available to Pakistani residents despite living abroad.

Here, Wego provides you with all you need to know about NICOP, the perks and how to apply for one.

Table of Contents

What is NICOP?

NICOP stands for the “National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis.” It, along with the Smart NICOP, is a registration document issued to an eligible citizen of Pakistan who lives or has a reference abroad. NICOP cards are valid for 10 Years.

NICOP vs. CNIC and Smart NICOP:

NICOP is an identification document usable in place of the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) available to Pakistani residents. Both are national ID cards. The citizen number or Nadra ID number for both cards is the same for an individual. Also, note that the Smart ID Card or Smart NICOP has the only difference of microchip on it. So, there is nothing to confuse between NICOP and Smart NICOP.

Uses of NICOP

With NICOP, you will be able to enjoy:

Visa-free entry into Pakistan on a foreign passport
Protection of rights that all Pakistanis enjoy
Full recognition as a regular Pakistani citizen
Access to open bank account in Pakistan
Access to apply for Machine Readable Passport (MRP)
Proof of Pakistan citizenship
Permission to buy and sell property in Pakistan

Who can apply for NICOP?

Only Pakistanis residing abroad will be able to apply for NICOP. Any Pakistani will be considered an overseas Pakistani who shall fulfil any one of the following requirements:-

having a valid visa from a foreign country (on a Pakistani passport) with validity, not less than 6 months;
having a foreign passport of dual nationality country from the following countries: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Switzerland, Netherlands, United States of America, Sweden, Ireland, Bahrain, Denmark & Germany (specific group of only children born from Pakistani parent and grown up in Germany);
having an Indefinite Stay Card/Residence Permit card/Green Card/Sojourn/Resident Card or Similar card issued by country of residence.

NICOP requirements

For minors registering for the first time (age up to 18 years):

detailed birth certificate (having both parents’ names) or S-1 Form issued by the Pak Mission or Citizenship Certificate or Pakistani passport (valid/expired)
foreign/Pakistani passport/Resident card/PR card/Travel Document (3 years exemption of passport for minor born abroad)
colour scanned image of CNIC/NICOP of parent/sibling (not minor)/grandparents

Applicants 18+, registering for the first time:

detailed birth certificate or A/O level certificate or Matric Certificate or Manual National Identity Card (MNIC) or Domicile/Citizenship Certificate or any passport as birth and parentage proof (if Pakistani Passport invalid/expired, it may be taken as birth/nationality proof)
color scanned image of the CNIC/NICOP belonging to parents or close blood relatives (siblings, paternal/maternal grandparents) or an undertaking can be submitted along with scanned images of CNIC/NICOP and the foreign passport/resident card of two witnesses
either of Pakistani/foreign passport or resident permit or work permit or PR card or Sojourn document or travel document or an undertaking that has been properly authenticated by two witnesses
if married: Nikkah nama or marriage certificate or Affidavit attested by Pak Mission/notarized by local attorney

Click here to find the documents required to apply for NICOP.

How to apply for NICOP?

You can apply for your NICOP by either visiting the NADRA Registration Center (NRC) or through the Pak Identity website.

If you already have a 13-digit NADRA ID number, you can convert your ID card to a NICOP. If you do not possess the 13-digit ID number from NADRA, you will receive your new NICOP as your first identity document.

Application through NADRA Registration Center (NRC)

You can apply for NICOP by going to the nearest NADRA Registration Center (NRC).

Following are the steps which you will be following at the NRC:

you will be issued a token
your photograph will be captured
your fingerprints and signature will be taken
your required data entry will be done, and the form will be printed to be reviewed by yourself
you will be handed over a printed version of your application form

Once the form is printed and given to you, please submit it to the concerned NRC after you have had it attested by a gazette officer. If any of your blood relatives (father/mother/brother/sister/son/daughter) is available at the time of application at the NRC, their biometrics can be captured. As a result, attestation of the form is not required.

Online Application through Pak Identity website

You can apply for your Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP) by visiting Pak Identity website and having it delivered to your doorstep.

All you have to do is register yourself on the website first, submit the necessary documents and wait for your identity card to be processed.

When will I receive my NICOP card?

The processing period for both NICOP and SNICOP varies according to the type of application:

Normal: 6 weeks
Urgent: 4 weeks
Executive: 2 weeks

NICOP application fees

The application fees when you are applying from countries classified as “Zone A” are:

For NICOP:

Normal: USD 36
Urgent: USD 54
Executive: USD 72

For SNICOP:

Normal: USD 39
Urgent: USD 57
Executive: USD 75

The fees while applying for a new NICOP when applying from countries classified as “Zone B” are:

For NICOP:

Normal: 17 USD
Urgent: 27 USD
Executive: 37 USD

For SNICOP:

Normal: USD 20
Urgent: USD 30
Executive: USD 40

NICOP tracking

In addition to the automated updates that you will receive on your registered mobile number or email ID, you can also track your application by texting your Application Tracking ID to “8400” if you are applying from Pakistan.

You will be notified when:

your application has been submitted
your card is sent for printing and approved
the NICOP card has been dispatched

Overseas applicants can check the status of their application by logging in with their registered account at the Pak-Identity Website.

NICOP biometric verification

The NADRA in Pakistan has introduced a new system for online identification verification, which allows consular officers to verify the identities of citizens living outside the country for power-of-attorney purposes. This system will allow the more than 9 million Pakistani citizens living abroad to upload scanned copies of their documents and photos and undergo biometric verification using the registration authority’s online Pak-ID service.

NICOP renewal process

The NICOP renewal process is similar to applying for a new one. You can submit a request for the renewal by visiting the NADRA Registration Center (NRC) or the Pak Identity website.

Renewal requirements

Provide information from the original NICOP card. To initiate the renewal process for your NICOP, upload a recent photograph and fingerprints and furnish details of an attester/verifier. When visiting the embassy to apply for passport renewal, ensure that you bring along your old NICOP card and a copy of your passport for submission.

Additionally, while applying from the following dual nation countries are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands (Holland), New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, United Kingdom, United State of America, Bahrain, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Norway, you have the option to either submit a foreign or Pakistani passport.

In the absence of this, you can turn in an undertaking filled and attested by Pak Mission.

If you are applying from a single national country other than the government-recognized dual countries, you will have to submit a Pakistani passport, or if it is not available, then an undertaking (by the name NICOP without a passport) duly filled and attested by two witnesses.

Renewal fees

When you are renewing from countries classified as “Zone A,” the renewal costs are as follows:

For NICOP renewal:

Normal: USD 36
Urgent: USD 54
Executive: USD 72

For SNICOP renewal:

Normal: USD 39
Urgent: USD 57
Executive: USD 75

The fees while renewing for NICOP when applying from countries classified as “Zone B” are: