Friday, November 20, 2009

National ID Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)

NICOP is an official identification document for Pakistani Citizens working / living abroad. NICOP can be produced for personal identification in place of Computerized NIC (CNIC) within Pakistan and abroad. The card is supposed to be presented at domestic or international entry or exit terminals.
As per 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 to visa-free entry into Pakistan.

Who can apply for NICOP?

NICOP is a registration document to be issued to a valid/legitimate citizen of Pakistan. Previously it was issued to overseas Pakistanis working / living / staying / studying abroad for consecutive time period of six months or possessing dual nationalities but now it can be issued to any citizen of Pakistan.

Benefits of NICOP

· Visa free entry into Pakistan on foreign passport
· Protection of rights that all Pakistanis enjoy
· Full recognition as a regular Pakistani citizen
· Open bank account in Pakistan
· Apply for Machine Readable Passport (MRP)
· Substitute for the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC)
· Proof of Pakistan citizenship
· Permission to buy and sell property

Guidelines for applying for NICOP

Duly filled NICOP application
Applicant signature on the application
Affix thumb impression at the specified place on the form
Two passport size photographs (white background facing towards the camera)
Present address in United States of America
Permanent address in Pakistan
Date of Birth must be in Pakistani format (DD/MM/YYYY)
Phone number in the United States
Attestation of form by any CNIC/NICOP holder

Note: Applicants are advised to provide a landline or mobile contact number so that NADRA staff can contact you in case of any problem with their application. Unavailability of a valid contact number may cause indefinite delay in processing of NICOP application.

New NICOP (First Time)

Required Documents:
o Duly filled NICOP application form
o VALID Pakistani or US/Foreign Passport photocopy (First 4 Pages) (No Exceptions)
o Computerized ID Card (CNIC) photocopy or
o National ID Card (Old ID Card) photocopy or
o Form “B” photocopy or
o Pakistani Birth Certificate photocopy or
o Matric/School Leaving Certificate photocopy or
o Citizenship Certificate from Ministry of Interior (MOI)
o Money Order for US$ 35.00
o Two Passport size pictures with white background only (facing towards camera)
o A stamped, self addressed return envelope for delivery of receipt / acknowledgement of your NICOP application when applying through post
o At least one NADRA Urdu Card or NICOP card copy is required as reference from first blood relative (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, wife, or Paternal Grand father/ mother) if applying first time on the basis of old ID card.

For Children Born in United States/Foreign Country:

· Duly filled NICOP application form
· VALID passport photocopy
· Birth certificate photocopy
· Parents’ NICOP/CNIC/NIC card photocopies
· Money Order for US$ 35.00
· Two Passport size pictures with white background only (facing towards camera)
· A stamped, self addressed return envelope for delivery of receipt / acknowledgement of your NICOP application when applying through post

For Children Born in Pakistan:

· Duly filled NICOP application form
· VALID Passport photocopy
· Birth Certificate and/or Form “B” photocopies
· Parents NICOP/CNIC/NIC cards photocopies
· Money Order for US$ 35.00
· Two Passport size pictures with white background only (facing towards camera)
· A stamped, self addressed return envelope for delivery of receipt / acknowledgement of your NICOP application when applying through post.

Modification in NICOP Card (Must surrender original NICOP)
(Please highlight all changes on NICOP form with yellow highlighter)

Modification in Name:

Partial Name Change (to add or remove Khan, Malik, Chaudhry etc)
· No document required
Complete Name Change
· Name change deed from solicitor attested by 1st class magistrate from Pakistan and duly attested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
(Note: Photocopies must be attested from Ministry)
· Advertisement in any local news paper in Pakistan.

Modification in Date of Birth:

For less than 3 Years
· Matric Certificate or
· Service Book or
· School Leaving Certificate or
· Court Degree or
· Valid Passport
If you have Computerized ID Card (CNIC) and want to modify Date of Birth on NICOP attach original CNIC for surrender.
For more than 3 Years
· Must visit NSRC in Pakistan with all required documents.

Modification in Marital Status:

For Married Female
· Provide Nikah Nama/Marriage Certificate with spouse’s NICOP/CNIC/NIC Card copy.
(Note: For female applicants more than 55 years of age, Nikah Nama / Marriage Certificate is not required)
For Divorced Female
· Divorce Papers

Modification in Address:

Present Address:
· No documents required
Permanent Address:
· Land registry from Pakistan

Duplicate NICOP (In case of Loss)


· Dully filled NICOP application (chek (√) duplicate and write your NICOP number in field 5.
· Valid US / Foreign / Pakistani Passport photocopy
· Money Order for US$ 35.00
· Two recent passport size photographs
(Note: To get a lost/misplaced NICOP number please call +92-51-90391915)

Mailing Instructions:

One prepaid self addressed return envelope required for receipt if applied through mail. Please make sure all required documents are attached with NICOP application. Attach all required documents with each application separately.
Important: Please DO NOT send your original documents BY POST with your application as we don’t need any original documents to process your application except original CNIC/NICOP when applying in modification category for surrender.

Processing Time and Delivery of your NICOP

Approximate processing time of a NICOP application is six to eight weeks. You will receive your NICOP card by DHL mail directly from NADRA headquarters Islamabad to your United States address, mentioned in the NICOP application form. There is no urgent service or fast track service from the Consulate.

You can track the status of your NICOP application by visiting NADRA’s website www.nadra.gov.pk using the receipt number printed on top right corner of your receipt (omit starting two zeros “00”)

You can also call NADRA Call Centre Islamabad directly at +92 51 111 786 100 or +92 51 9208606 to check the status of your application.

Delivery of your card can be delayed due to incomplete/invalid information, missing documents or verification problems. If you do not receive your card within eight weeks you can LAUNCH A COMPLAINT by visiting NADRA’s website. All complaints about NICOP card will be answered only through COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM http://www.nadra.gov.pk/chat/complaint/index.php.

Facilitation Cell for handling of complaints

All complaints about NICOP card will be answered only through COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM http://www.nadra.gov.pk/chat/complaint/index.php