National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)

As per this ordinance, NADRA has been entrusted with the task of registering the overseas Pakistanis. NICOP, in addition to providing the authenticity of the individual, has additional features at the same time, as the person possessing the NICOP is entitled visa-free entry in Pakistan.  

The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) was conceived as a project by mutual resolve of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, the Ministry of Labor, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, and the Interior Division, so as to provide them with NICOP cards, and getting them registered. The scheme calls for the creation of a comprehensive database of Pakistanis who either work abroad or hold a dual nationality. The card is supposed to be produced at domestic or international entry or exit terminals.

There has justifiably been recognition of the overseas Pakistanis, their services and the potential benefits to the homeland, which has led the Government of Pakistan to issue them with National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).

The NADRA Ordinance envisages issuance of NICOP to Pakistani workers, emigrants, citizens, or Pakistanis holding dual nationality, having been registered under the NADRA Ordinance. NICOP is an identification document to be used as a substitute for the NIC as and when requested. However, NICOP is more than just an identification document.

Main features of the NICOP are:

Ø Thirteen digits registration number randomly generated by a computer system
Ø Green color
Ø Written in English
Ø It carries a Machine Readable Zone(MRZ) for world wide ID acceptance

Documents Required

Ø Completely filled English Application Form.
Ø 2 photographs (passport size).
Ø Bank Draft/Bank Receipt/Postal Order/ Cashier’s Cheque for the fee in favor of NADRA, Pakistan..
Ø  Copy of Pakistani or foreign passport.
Ø  Copy of National ID Card (NIC) or the RG-2 (Form-B). In case neither is available, the registration of Pakistani children born abroad may be used (Form S-1).
Ø  Marriage certificate is required if one is married

Fee Structure For NICOP

	Regions	Fresh / Renewal with no change)	Modification Duplicate
		(US$)	(US$)
Normal	Europe/Far East/USA& Australia	45	50
	Middle East	25	30
URGENT	Europe/Far East/USA& Australia	50	60
	Middle East	30	50
Executive	Europe/ Far East/USA& Australia	60	100
	Middle East	35	60

NICOP Cancellation Fee

Cancellation in urgent 120

Cancellation in executive 150

Dual National Countries
 

SR.	Dual National Country
1	Australia
2	Canada
3	Switzerland
4	Italy
5	France
6	Syria
7	UK
8	Belgium
9	Iceland
10	Egypt
11	Jordan
12	Holland
13	New Zealand
14	USA
15	Sweden
16	Ireland

NICOP FAQ’s

Q. Do we need to pay any cost for acquiring the application form?
A. Application forms are absolutely free of cost and can be received from any of the prescribed places.

Q. Where can I get the application form for the NICOP?
A. You can get the application form from the Pakistan Embassy if you are abroad or any of the NADRA Provincial Headquarters or Regional Headquarters if you are in Pakistan. You can also download it from the NADRA website. Alternatively, if you are in Pakistan, you can directly process your NICOP from any NADRA Swift Registration Center (NSRC) without a form.

Q. When do I need to renew the NICOP?
A. NICOP is renewable after every seven years.

Q. Can I get a NICOP if I have dual nationality?
A. Yes you can.

Q. Can I get a NICOP if I have Pakistani nationality only?
A. Yes you can, provided you are resident abroad.

Q. Is it advisable to travel through NICOP or through visa on foreign passport?
A. You don’t need a visa, because you already have dual nationality - that is, Pakistani nationality and a foreign nationality.

Q. Can I get a NICOP if I’m a Kashmiri?
A. Regardless of your ethnicity, you can get a NICOP if you have a Pakistani passport,

Q. What support documents do I need to provide?
A. Completely filled English Application Form.
2 photographs (passport size).
Bank Draft/Bank Receipt/Postal Order/Cashier’s Cheque for the fee ($25 per card for Pakistanis living in North America, Europe, Far East and Australia and US $15/- per card for Pakistanis living in Middle East, Malaysia etc), in favor of NADRA, Pakistan.
Copy of Pakistani or foreign passport.
Copy of National ID Card (NIC) or the RG-2 (Form-B). In case neither is available, the registration of Pakistani children born abroad may be used (Form S-1). Marriage certificate is required if one is married.

Q. I have a NICOP. Do I also need a POC?
A. You do not need a POC if you have a NICOP. Possession of NICOP means that you have dual nationality. The POC would be required if you had a single, non-Pakistani nationality.

Q. I have a POC. Do I also need a NICOP?
A. You are not eligible for a NICOP if you are a holder of a POC.

Q. Can I have/keep both CNIC and NICOP at the same time?
A. Yes

Q. Do I need a personal reference for the NICOP?
A. No. All you need is proof of your Pakistani nationality/citizenship.

Q. Will the NADRA Swift Registration Center (NSRC) accept the NICOP fee?
A. Yes.

Q. Will the Pakistan Embassy accept the NICOP fee payment?
A. The majority of Pakistani embassies accept the NICOP fee. However, some embassies require payment to be made at a designated bank.

Q. Is urgent processing available?
A. YES.

Q. Where can I collect my NICOP card?
A. If you are in Pakistan, you can collect your card from your local NADRA Central Distribution Point (CDC). If you reside abroad, you can collect your card from the Pakistan Embassy.

Q. Can I collect my NICOP card from NADRA Headquarters?
A. No.

Note: Pakistani citizens who are holding dual nationality or are only on work or residence permit in a country outside Pakistan, are not eligible for Pakistan Origin Card (POC), but eligible for National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).  

Note: NICOP is destructed after one year if applicant did not collect it. 
         
         Expiry of Minor NICOP is till their 15th Birthday.