The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is a NADRA identity card for foreign nationals who have Pakistani roots. You may qualify if you are a former Pakistani, have a Pakistani parent or grandparent, have a close Pakistani relative, or are married to a Pakistani. You apply online through NADRA, not at a counter. Here is who can apply, what you need, the steps and the fees reported so far.
Who Can Apply?
According to ARY News, PhoneWorld and the Pakistan Consulate in Toronto, you may qualify if you are a foreign national and:
- You once held Pakistani citizenship and gave it up.
- Your parent or grandparent is or was a Pakistani citizen.
- You have a close relative, such as a brother, sister, uncle or aunt, who is or was a Pakistani citizen. The consulate lists this basis, and ARY refers to “close relatives.”
- You are married to a Pakistani citizen. The consulate also lists a former Pakistani or a deceased Pakistani spouse.
PhoneWorld says Indian nationals, citizens of Taiwan or Israel, and nationals of states Pakistan does not recognise are excluded. I could not confirm this from NADRA.
Documents You May Need
You need only the documents for your case. The Pakistan Consulate in Toronto lists these:
Through a Parent or Grandparent
- A valid foreign passport.
- A Pakistani ID document of the parent or grandparent, such as a CNIC, NICOP, POC, Pakistani passport, domicile or citizenship certificate.
- Your birth certificate or CRC, or another document that links you to your parents.
Through a Living Pakistani Spouse
- A valid foreign passport.
- Your spouse’s CNIC, NICOP or POC.
- Your marriage certificate.
- An affidavit from your Pakistani spouse.
Through a Deceased Pakistani Spouse
- The documents above, plus your spouse’s death certificate, an attested affidavit and a police clearance report.
PhoneWorld adds that applicants over 21 who still hold a Pakistani CNIC, CRC or NICOP must first cancel it and return the original to NADRA. Foreign nationals must attach an affidavit. I could not confirm this from NADRA’s own page.
How to Apply
NADRA wants POC applications to be made online. The Pakistan consulates in Toronto and London say manual booking has stopped and walk-in POC applicants are not served.
Steps Reported by ARY News
- Log in to the Pak ID app or portal using a family member’s account, such as a parent, sibling or child.
- Choose the option to apply for an ID card.
- Choose the blood relative option, then select “No.”
- Select “New POC” and continue.
- Provide your details, biometrics, photo and documents.
Steps Reported by PhoneWorld
- Go to NADRA’s online portal and select “Apply For POC.”
- Log in or register.
- Accept the terms and start a new application.
- Choose “Issuance of Identity Document,” then POC.
- Fill in the form and submit it.
- Pay by debit or credit card.
The two guides differ on how you log in. ARY’s is dated August 2025 (page also shows 11 January 2026) and PhoneWorld’s has no date, so follow what the NADRA portal shows when you apply. Wrong information may lead to rejection.
Fees
PhoneWorld lists these NADRA fees in US dollars:
| Service | Normal (31 days) | Urgent (23 days) | Executive (7 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New card | $150 | Not offered | $200 |
| Renewal | $150 | Not offered | $200 |
| Modification | $200 | $250 | $300 |
| Cancellation | Not offered | Not offered | $15 |
This page has no date, and NADRA’s own fee page was not available to me, so confirm the fee on the portal before you pay. The Pakistan Consulate in Toronto also charges its own processing fee of CAD 50 on top of NADRA’s fee, according to its website. Fees are non-refundable, and the consulate says to pay NADRA’s fee by credit or Visa debit card.
How Long Does It Take?
ARY News gives different times from PhoneWorld: executive 7 days, urgent 12 days and normal 30 days. PhoneWorld says 7, 23 and 31 days. Approved cards are delivered to your address, according to ARY. Since the sources differ, treat these as estimates.
Tips Before You Apply
- Keep clear scans of your passport and proof of your link to Pakistan.
- Check that names and dates match across all documents.
- Use the official NADRA portal and the Pak ID app only.
- Keep your 12-digit tracking number, which PhoneWorld says NADRA issues, to check your progress.
- For help, call NADRA at +92 51 111 786 100, according to PhoneWorld.
What I Could Not Confirm
- The current fee. The only fee table I found is undated.
- How long a POC is valid. None of the pages say.
- The full document list from NADRA. ARY does not list specific documents.
- The processing times, since sources differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pakistan Origin Card?
It is a NADRA identity card for foreign nationals of Pakistani origin.
Who can apply?
Former Pakistanis, people with a Pakistani parent or grandparent, close relatives of Pakistanis and spouses of Pakistanis.
Can I apply at a NADRA office or consulate?
Two consulates say manual booking has stopped and applicants should apply online.
How much does it cost?
An undated report lists $150 for normal and $200 for executive service. Confirm on the portal.
How long does it take?
Between 7 and 31 days, depending on the speed chosen and the source.
How long is the card valid?
Not stated in the sources I found.
If you qualify, collect your documents, apply through NADRA’s online portal and check the fee before you pay.
