The following are the officials dealing with NICOP, the National Identity
Card for Overseas Pakistanis, as well as the POC, the Pakistan Origin
Card. Further information is available at NADRA's
official website .
Very briefly, NICOP is meant for all Pakistani citizens
in the United States. It replaces the National Identity Card or NIC. The
fee for NICOP has been revised, it is now US $25 for 10 years validity.
POC is meant for US nationals of Pakistani origin. Such
nationals can now choose between a Pakistani passport or a POC.
POC HOLDERS DO NOT NEED A VISA TO GO TO PAKISTAN.
POC HOLDERS DO NOT NEED A VISA TO GO TO PAKISTAN. Validity for NICOP & POC is (7 Years)
Important: The applicant's who have applied for a NADRA card in Pakistan MUST mention their 13-Digit NADRA Card number on their NICOP form. Otherwise, their application will be rejected and they would be required to re-apply with a fresh fee.
· 2 current photographs (passport size, light blue or white background preferred).
· Money order or cashier's check for the fee is $100 for adults, $50 for minors (below 18 years) made payable to the Embassy or Consulate General. US $ 10.00 additional for Home Delivery by DHL .
· Copy of American/Foreign passport. Foreign passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application. Expired passport copies will not be accepted.
· At least 1 proof of Pakistani origin :
Copy of old Pakistani passport
Copy of old National ID Card (NIC)
Proof of property owned in Pakistan
(Proof of relationship with a Pakistani e.g. Marriage or Birth Certificate ), along with the relative's Pakistani passport or NIC.
· One Self addressed prepaid envelope if sending by mail (stamped and self-addressed). Please make sure to send a document-size envelop so we can send back portions of applications if so needed. This envelope will be used to send you back your receipt as well.
IMPORTANT: POC
• information on Pakistani relative living in Pakistan (Column 19-21)
• Personal information, left thumb impression and signature (Column 26) are required. For children, left thumb impression is required. In place of their signature, just write their names.
Note: Please surrender original CNIC card issued by NADRA if you are applying for a POC
NICOP is now a mandatory requirement for all Pakistanis
working/residing abroad and Pakistanis holding dual nationality.
NICOP offers unique privileges and facilities to its holder. This
card is obligatory for all members of the family, including children
under the age of 18 years.
NICOP Requirements:
1. Completed NICOP application form (Application form to be filled in properly with black ink and clearly print or type in CAPITAL letters. Please do not leave any column blank)
2 .English and Urdu fields are compulsory to be filled
3. Head of Family NIC (Shanakhati card) Number (Column 2) is compulsory. Head of Family is the father if applicant is unmarried and the husband is applicant is married. For men, it would be self if applicant is married.
4. Photocopy of page 1, 2 & 3 of current/valid Pakistani passport. (if Pakistani passport has been expired, please include a copy regardless but also make sure to include a copy of your valid/unexpired foreign passport)
5. Photocopy of NIC (front and back). If Applicant is under 18 or does not have an NIC, include copy of Form ‘B' (RG-II). If that is not available, include
copy of birth certificate along with copy of father's NIC (front and back)
6. Two (2) current photographs (passport size, light blue or white background, front facing ).
7 Copy of marriage certificate (in case change of marital status).
8 . Father's/Mother's name and NIC numbers – column 7-11. If the father/mother is not alive, put “DECEASED” where it asks for their NIC/CNIC/NICOP number (Column 8 and 11).
9. Spouse name and Pakistan NIC/CNIC/NICOP No (Column 13 and 14) : Write husband/wife's full name as indicated in your documents. Do not put last name first. Put spaces between the names. In Column 14, write husband/wife's Pakistan ID card number (without the dashes). If the husband/wife is non-Pakistani, please indicate NON PAKISTANI in the boxes if the applicant is unmarried, write NOT APPLICABLE in Column 14.
10.
Present address in USA - column 23
11.
Permanent address in Pakistan - column 24 Complete Pakistan address with District and Tehsil (Q 24). If it is a Karachi address, please indicate which region of Karachi (north, south, east or west).
12.
Telephone number in the US (column 26) is required
13.
Personal information, left thumb impression and signature (Column 28 ) are BOTH required. For children, left thumb impression is required. In place of their signature, just write their names.
14 . IMPORTANT: Attester information (Column 29-31) IS REQUIRED . Attester is a person EXCEPT the applicant, their mother, father and spouse that already has a computerized Pakistani National ID Card (CNIC or NICOP) . This can be anyone. Example: A neighbor, a distant relative, a friend or a coworker.
15 Money order or cashier's check for the fee ($25) made payable to the Embassy or Consulate General. US $ 10.00/per person additional for Home Delivery by DHL.
16. One Self addressed prepaid envelope if sending by mail (stamped and self-addressed). Please make sure to send a document-size envelop so we can send back portions of applications if so needed. This envelope will be used to send you back your receipt as well.
17.
Blood Relative Reference (Column 33) IS REQUIRED. Please provide name and 13 digit NICOP/CNIC number of a blood relative (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, uncle, aunt etc) and indicate relation with relative
Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be destroyed
if not completed in 3-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do I have to surrender CNIC to obtain POC/NICOP?
A: Yes, in case if you are applying for POC (Pakistan Origin card); you have to surrender your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card). However, for NICOP you don't have to surrender your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card).
Q: What is the last date for application? I heard it was December 31, 2003.
A: December 31, 2003 was the date for the expiration of all old NIC (not CNIC). It was NOT the deadline for applications for the new NICOP that replaces it. You can apply whenever you want, you just cannot use your old NIC.
Q: The forms claim the NICOP fee is $25 for multiples of 3 years, what is the latest fee structure?
A: The forms reflect the OLD fee structure; please IGNORE the validity section on the forms. The current fee structure is $25 (plus $10/ applicant for DHL home delivery) for validity of 7 years and this is final.
Q: What is the approximate processing time for POC/NICOP applications?
A:
There is no guaranteed time frame for POC/NICOP processing since the cases are processed on an approval basis in Pakistan. 4-5 weeks after you receive your NICOP/POC receipt, start tracking the status of your case online at www.nadra.gov.pk using the receipt number. Keep at least 3-4 months in your schedule.
Q: Do I need to send a return envelope with my application?
A: Yes, please send one return envelope. We will mail you receipt for your application in this one.
Q: Do I need to send separate money orders/cashier's checks for each applicant?
A: No, unto 8 POC applicants or 8 NICOP applicants can use 1 money order/cashier's check for their combined fees (for example $60 or $100 with DHL home delivery for 4 NICOP applicants), however payment of one card may not be mixed with that of another (POC may not be mixed with that of NICOP and vice versa). If one family is applying for both types of cards, make sure you include separate money orders/cashier's checks for each type.
Q: Are there any other special instructions with regard to sending in an application?
A: Each application is processed individually so if one family is applying, make sure you attach separate copies of each document with each application e.g. do not send just 1 copy of a father's NIC when he is applying for himself, his wife and his kids. Also make sure you mark your application " ATTN: NADRA " so that it reaches the relevant department quickly and doesn't experience any delays in the mail room.
Q: I need to change my name. What do I do?
A: To apply under a different name than your supporting documentation you need valid proof of name change. This can be a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Papers or Court Order (from Pakistan only) of name change.
Q: I am a student here; can I get a fee waiver?
A: Yes, but then you will not get a card ; you will only be registered in the National Database. If you want the card, you will have to pay for it.
Q: Do I really need to fill out the Urdu based NICOP forms?
A: That depends. If you have a CNIC (Computerized National ID Card) and are attaching its copy, then no you do not. In ALL other cases (including old NIC) you MUST fill out the Urdu form.
Q: Can minors (under 18) apply for NICOP?
A: Yes, they can use their CRC or Form ‘B'. If that is not available, include copy of birth certificate along with copy of father's NIC (front and back)
Q: Which Money Order should I send?
A: You can send any brand you like (US Postal Service, Western Union ). It is cashed in the US not in Pakistan.
Q: Do I have to get the Urdu forms attested?
A: Yes. Attester information (Column 28- 30) IS REQUIRED . Attester is a person EXCEPT the applicant, their mother, father and spouse that already has a computerized Pakistani National ID Card (CNIC or NICOP). This can be anyone. Example: A neighbor, a distant relative, a friend or a co-worker.
Q: Do I really need my parent's NIC number?
A: You must provide their numbers if they are alive and currently Pakistani citizens. Otherwise you can just write DECEASED or provide reason why you can't provide NIC number. If you are unmarried and your father is still alive, you MUST provide his NIC/CNIC/NICOP number under head of family (Column 2)
Q: Where do I mail my application?
A: You can mail it to whichever office you like. Generally, you should send your application to Consulate/Embassy that has your State's jurisdiction.
