National ID 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 produced at domestic or international entry or exit terminals.

The NADRA Ordinance envisages issuance of NICOP to Pakistani workers, emigrants, citizens, or Pakistanis holding dual nationality, having been registered under the NADRA Ordinance. NICOP is an identification document to be used as a substitute for the NIC as and when requested.

As per this 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

NADRA in Consulate General of Pakistan, New York

You can apply for new NICOP or modification in NICOP from Consulate General of Pakistan New York. If you want to get any other documents related to NADRA please contact NADRA offices in Pakistan.

Other offices in United States where you can apply for NICOP are Embassy of Pakistan Washington DC and Consulate General of Pakistan Los Anglese CA.

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:

·          Duly filled NICOP application form

·          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)

·          Money Order for US$ 35.00 payable to “Consulate General of Pakistan New York”. Cash / personal checks are not acceptable.

·          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

·          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 payable to “Consulate General of Pakistan New York”

·          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 payable to “Consulate General of Pakistan New York”

·          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 1^st 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:

·          No documents required

Duplicate NICOP (In case of Loss)

·          One can apply in Duplicate category with NICOP number, valid passport photocopy, two photographs and NICOP fees of US$ 35.00

(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. Pakistan Consulate New York will not be responsible for loss of any original documents sent via post.

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.

List of NICOPs returned to Consulate General

Available NICOP Card List

Please contact Pakistan Consulate New York NADRA section to pick up your card by person or email your updated postal address with your receipt number at nadra@pakistanconsulateny.org to enable the Consulate to send it to your correct address.

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

NADRA Contact Information:

Consulate General of Pakistan

NADRA Section

12 East 65^th Street

New York NY 10065

Tel: 212-879-5800 Ext. 227

Fax: 212-517-6987

Emai: nadra@pakistanconsulateny.org

NADRA Call Center: (+92-51) 111-786-100
NICOP Card Queries: (+92-51) 90391915 / 90391918 / 9208606 (9:00AM to 5:00PM Pakistan Standard Time)
Fax: 92-51-9205803
Web site: http://www.nadra.gov.pk/