LAHORE – The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) is an identity document issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) under Section 12 of the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, for Pakistani citizens living abroad.
NICOP serves as official proof of identity and nationality for overseas Pakistanis and allows eligible citizens to enter Pakistan without a visa.
NADRA currently issues different versions of NICOP, including the Smart NICOP, which is equipped with a secure microchip, enhanced security features and improved durability.
A QR-code-based NICOP is also available to enable faster verification and authentication of cardholder information. New Teslin-based NICOP cards are currently not being issued.
Eligibility for NICOP
NICOP is available to Pakistani citizens residing abroad who fall under any of the following categories:
Pakistani citizens living or working outside Pakistan.
Pakistani citizens holding dual nationality of a country recognised by the Government of Pakistan.
Pakistani citizens intending to remain abroad for an extended period and requiring official proof of identity and nationality.
Children of Pakistani citizens born abroad who are eligible to be registered as Pakistani citizens.
Requirements for Smart NICOP Application
Applicants must provide the required personal details and supporting information for identity and citizenship verification according to NADRA’s application process.
Children born abroad who apply for NICOP must meet the eligibility criteria for registration as Pakistani citizens.
For overseas Pakistanis applying from USA, NADRA offers three processing categories for a new Smart NICOP.
The Normal processing category costs USD 39 and takes approximately 31 days for completion. Applicants requiring faster service can opt for the Urgent category, which costs USD 57 and has a processing time of around 23 days.
The Executive category is the fastest option, with a fee of USD 75 and an estimated processing time of 9 days.
Applicants can select the service category according to their preferred processing speed and requirements.