The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) is NADRA’s ID card for Pakistani citizens living or working abroad. Most applicants can apply online through the Pak ID app. This guide explains who is eligible, the steps, the documents and the fees reported by recent sources. NADRA can change fees and rules, so confirm the amount shown in the app before you pay.
Who Can Apply
ProPakistani (23 July 2026) lists these groups as eligible:
- Pakistani citizens living, working or studying abroad.
- Pakistanis planning to stay abroad for a long time.
- Pakistanis who hold dual nationality of a recognised country.
- Children born abroad to Pakistani parents.
- People who are eligible to be registered as Pakistani citizens.
How to Apply Online With the Pak ID App
- Download the official NADRA Pak ID app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Create an account or sign in.
- Select NICOP and the type of application: fresh, renewal, modification or reprint (lost card).
- Enter your personal, address, parent, spouse and contact details.
- Upload a recent photograph.
- Complete biometric verification. A parent or blood relative may need to verify, or you may need to visit a NADRA centre.
- Upload clear copies of your documents.
- Complete any attestation or witness verification.
- Pay the fee.
- Review and submit, and save your tracking number.
ProPakistani says most applicants can complete the process online. It also published a separate guide on getting a first NICOP through the app (16 October 2026), but that page would not open, so I have not used it.
Documents You May Need
The list varies by case, so follow the list shown in the Pak ID app. ProPakistani names these common items:
- Your parents’ CNIC or NICOP details, and the details of a blood relative.
- A Pakistani or foreign passport.
- A foreign residence, work or study permit.
- A computerised birth certificate. For a child born abroad, a detailed foreign birth certificate.
- A citizenship or naturalisation certificate, if it applies.
- A marriage certificate if you are changing your marital status.
- Your previous NICOP, for renewal or modification.
Applying at a NADRA Centre
ProPakistani describes the steps at a NADRA Registration Centre as: take a token, give biometrics, data entry, attestation if needed, a possible short interview, fee payment and card printing. ARY News (August 2025) describes a similar process, with a photograph, biometric data and form review.
Fees and Processing Time
ProPakistani gives these fees for a new Smart NICOP:
| Zone | Normal | Urgent | Executive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A: US and Europe | $39 | $57 | $75 |
| Zone B: Middle East and Africa | $20 | $30 | $40 |
| Processing time | 31 days | 23 days | 9 days |
Local service charges, currency conversion or delivery costs may apply, and the report advises you to confirm the amount in the Pak ID app before paying.
ARY News gave the Zone A fees in rupees as Rs11,340 (normal), Rs16,589 (urgent) and Rs21,820 (executive), as of December 2024. Those figures are older, so use the dollar fee shown in the app.
Apply Through an Embassy?
Sources differ. ARY News (August 2025) says you can apply through Pakistani embassies or consulates abroad, or online. ProPakistani (July 2026) does not describe an embassy as an application route and says only that a Pakistani mission can verify an undertaking, which may serve as supporting proof in some cases. Contact your nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate to ask whether it has a NADRA desk before you go.
For Children Born Abroad
NADRA says overseas Pakistanis can apply through Pak ID for a NICOP for their children based on a B-Form. It advises updating the child’s biometrics as soon as possible at a NADRA office, a NADRA counter at an embassy or consulate, or during a visit to Pakistan.
Tips
- Use a clear, recent photo and scan your documents clearly.
- Make sure your name and details match your passport.
- Choose the speed that fits your travel plans.
- Use only the official Pak ID app. Do not pay agents or share OTPs, and be careful with social media links.
What I Could Not Confirm
- How long a NICOP is valid. None of the reports I read states it.
- The number of witnesses or relatives needed for every case.
- The fees for renewal, modification and reprint, since the fee table is for a new Smart NICOP.
- Whether an embassy desk is available in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NICOP?
NADRA’s identity card for Pakistani citizens living abroad.
Can I apply online?
Yes, through the Pak ID app.
How much does it cost?
A new Smart NICOP is $39, $57 or $75 in Zone A, and $20, $30 or $40 in Zone B, depending on speed.
How long does it take?
31 days (normal), 23 days (urgent) or 9 days (executive), according to ProPakistani.
Can my child born abroad get a NICOP?
Yes, if the parents are Pakistani and the documents are submitted.
Do I need to visit a NADRA office?
Not always. You may need to if the biometric step cannot be done by a parent or relative.
A NICOP makes it easier to deal with Pakistani banks, property and government services. Check the current fee and document list in the Pak ID app before you apply.
