Pakistan Origin Card (POC) 2026: Apply Online
The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is an official identity document NADRA issues to eligible foreign nationals of Pakistani origin. It operates under the NADRA POC Rules 2002, drawing legal standing from Section 11 of the NADRA Ordinance 2000, which establishes the legal link between overseas individuals and Pakistan. It’s one of the more genuinely useful documents available to the diaspora it removes the burden of repeated visa applications and gives holders extended stay rights in Pakistan.
What the card opens:
- Visa-free entry into Pakistan
- Property ownership rights
- Business activity rights
- Banking access
Applications go through the Pak-ID app or a NADRA center abroad, and status tracking runs off the same tracking ID once submitted.
What Is a Pakistan Origin Card (POC)?
POC is issued by NADRA to foreign nationals who once held Pakistani citizenship but later gave it up to settle abroad. Under the NADRA POC Rules 2002, the card legally establishes a verifiable link between the holder and Pakistan. In short: if you were once a Pakistani citizen and now hold a foreign passport, POC is the formal document reconnecting you to Pakistan.
What it enables:
- Visa-free entry, with the ability to reside in Pakistan for the card’s validity period
- Proof of Pakistani origin while living or traveling abroad
- Smoother handling of property, family, and legal matters that would otherwise require lengthy visa processes
Introduced in 2002, POC remains one of the most practical tools available to overseas Pakistanis under NADRA.
Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Benefits and Rights
Holding a valid POC is a bundle of legal entitlements, not just an ID card.
| Entitlement | Detail |
| Visa-free entry | Granted under Section 13 of the Passport Act, XX of 1974, at prescribed ports — same standard entry routes used by Pakistani citizens |
| Extended stay | Card validity period authorizes unlimited stay with no additional permit required |
| No registration obligations | Exempt from foreigners’ police registration and reporting requirements |
Banking, Property, Work, and Identity
| Area | What’s Covered |
| Banking | Operate bank accounts and conduct transactions at any institution, under the same compliance standards as residents |
| Property | Purchase, sell, own, and dispose of both movable and immovable property |
| Identity | Valid POC accepted as a CNIC equivalent at identity verification checkpoints |
| Employment | Eligible to seek employment under labor and employment laws, provided prescribed requirements are met |
Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on which rule under the NADRA POC Rules 2002 your situation falls under:
| Situation | Applicable Rule |
| Renounced or gave up Pakistani citizenship after acquiring foreign nationality | Rule 4(1) 2002 |
| Pakistani parentage — at least one parent or grandparent was a Pakistani citizen | Rule 4(3) 2002 or Rule 4(4) 2002 |
| Dependent child in a lawful relationship with a Pakistani national | Rule 4(5) 2002 (with documented proof of the relationship) |
| Born in territory now part of Pakistan, or held domicile there before migration | Rule 5(1) 2002 (assessed against the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 and the Succession Act 1925) |
Eligibility also extends to immediate and close family members of Pakistani nationals siblings, uncles, aunts, and foreign spouses provided they meet the conditions under the relevant categories. All documentation must be fully verified before approval.
Important: Nationals of countries not recognized by Pakistan are not eligible regardless of Pakistani grand parentage.
Who Is Not Eligible for a Pakistan Origin Card (POC)?
| Ineligible Category | Reason |
| Citizens of restricted/unrecognized countries | National security classification |
| Current Pakistani citizens (NICOP holders) | Already in a different legal category |
| No Pakistani ancestry or biological ties to a Pakistani parent/grandparent | Outside the scope of the POC |
| Foreign spouse with no biological ties to Pakistani lineage | May still face ineligibility depending on marriage status |
| Applicants flagged for illegal acts, national security threats, or ties to an enemy state | Cross-checked rigorously by NADRA |
Pakistan Origin Card (POC) vs. NICOP
| Comparison Factor | NICOP | POC |
| Issued to | Pakistani citizens living abroad, including dual nationals | Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin (renounced or never held citizenship), plus eligible spouses/dependents |
| Citizenship status | Citizen | Non-citizen |
| Entry | Visa-free | Long-stay entry under permitted terms |
| Legal linkage | Citizenship-based | Origin-based or spouse-based, without restoring citizenship |
| Validity | 7 years | 5 years |
Smart Pakistan Origin Card (Smart POC)
NADRA currently issues the Smart POC a Teslin-based card with an embedded microchip, stronger security features, and improved durability, plus a QR code for faster verification at border crossings and government counters. The older standard Teslin-format card (without the smart features) is no longer being issued.
Pakistan Origin Card Application Categories
| Category | Who Qualifies |
| Former Pakistani Citizens | Previously held Pakistani citizenship, later surrendered or renounced |
| Foreign Nationals of Pakistani Descent | Parents or grandparents were Pakistani |
| Married to a Pakistani Citizen | Foreign nationals married to a Pakistani citizen (Nationals of countries restricted under current NADRA regulations are not eligible.) |
| Dependents of POC Holders | Dependent children and foreign spouses married to a person of Pakistani origin |
All approved categories receive a Smart card and can live, work, and own property in Pakistan visa-free.
Service Types
| Service | Use Case |
| New POC | First-time applicants with no prior record |
| Renewal | Expired or soon-to-expire POC |
| Modification | Correcting personal details — name, address, marital status |
| Reprint / Lost Card | Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card |
Required Documents for Pakistan Origin Card (POC)
Required from every applicant:
- Valid foreign passport
- Recent photograph meeting NADRA specifications
- Clear proof of Pakistani origin based on eligibility category
By category:
| Applicant Type | Documents |
| Former Pakistani Citizen | Previous CNIC, NICOP, or passport as origin proof |
| Pakistani Parent/Grandparent route | Parent/grandparent ID + relationship documents linking lineage |
| Foreign Spouse | Pakistani spouse’s CNIC or POC + Marriage Registration Certificate |
| Dependent Child of a Foreign Spouse | Birth certificate + guardianship documents |
Applications can go through Pak-ID or in person requirements stay the same either way.
NADRA Pakistan Origin Card Photo Requirements
| Spec | Requirement |
| Dimensions | 35mm wide × 45mm high (3.5cm × 4.5cm) |
| Resolution | 600 dpi |
| File size | 100–300 KB (max 5MB) |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows or gradients |
| Head height | 34mm |
| Top margin | 3.5mm from top of photo to crown of head |
| Attire | Regular clothing — no uniforms or camouflage |
| Eyewear | No glasses causing glare or obstructing eyes |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed |
A digital camera or phone works as long as the format complies. Third-party services like Visafoto (operating since 2013, cited 99.7% success rate, refund if a photo fails submission) are sometimes used to guarantee compliance.
How to Apply for a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Online
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the Pak-ID website or download the mobile app
- Select Pakistan Origin Card from the service list
- Choose application type: New, Renewal, Modification, or Cancellation
- Complete data entry, matching personal details to NADRA’s existing records
- Upload supporting documents proving Pakistani origin or lawful relationship
- Review for accuracy and submit
- Tracking ID generated upon submission
After Submission
- Use the tracking ID to monitor progress, complete payment, and receive verification updates
- POC issuance notification arrives once verification and approval are complete
Important: Never share your tracking ID publicly each application’s tracking ID is private and tied exclusively to official NADRA channels.
Apply for a Pakistan Origin Card Using Pak-ID App
- Download the app and create an account
- Sign in
- Tap New POC
- Fill in applicant information through the guided form
- Upload required documents
- Submit the application
- Track status in real time inside the app
Note: The app covers digital registration, but biometric capture still requires a physical visit to a NADRA Registration Centre (NRC).
Apply for a Pakistan Origin Card at a NADRA Registration Centre
- Get a Queue Matic token at the queue management counter
- Staff member completes data entry from your documents
- Accuracy review across all fields
- Document review and identity verification
- OIC (Officer-In-Charge) interview and approval
- Biometric capture fingerprints and live photograph
- Application/POCF attestation (requirements vary depending on whether you hold a CNIC, NICOP, or existing POC)
- Fee payment
- Card printing and issuance
Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Fee and Processing Time 2026
The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is issued by NADRA to eligible foreign nationals of Pakistani origin and certain qualifying family members. Applicants can choose Normal, Urgent, or Executive processing depending on how quickly they need the card.
Fee Table A (from “POC Fees and Processing Time in 2026”)
| Application Type | Priority | Fee | Processing Time |
| New POC | Normal | $150 | 31 days |
| New POC | Executive | $200 | 7 days |
| Renewal / Modification | Normal | $150 | 31 days |
| Renewal / Modification | Executive | $200 | 7 days |
| Urgent (any category) | Urgent | $250–$300 (varies by category) | 23 days |
| Minor (under 18) | Any | $80 flat | Mirrors adult timeline for selected tier |
Additional charges that apply on top of the base fee (Table B):
- Bank/gateway processing fee: ~$3.50
- Courier/delivery or postage charges, if applicable
- Currency conversion charges when paying in PKR vs USD
How to Check Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Application Status
Once submitted, a unique tracking ID tracks your case through every stage: submission confirmation, payment, verification, review, processing, approval, dispatch, and completion.
| Method | How to Use It |
| Phone (within Pakistan) | Dial 1777 |
| NADRA Helpline | 051-111-786-100 |
| SMS | Send tracking ID to 8400 |
| Pak-ID App | Log in for real-time stage updates |
Status doesn’t move at the same pace for every applicant compare against your own selected category, not someone else’s timeline. Avoid relying on social media for updates; NADRA doesn’t post case progress there.
Common Reasons Why Pakistan Origin Card Applications Are Rejected
Most rejections trace back to one of three causes: wrong category selection, incomplete documentation, or unverified lineage.
| Cause | Detail |
| Unverified lineage | Applicants over 21 must independently establish traceable Pakistani origin through attested, translated (if foreign-language) birth certificates, CNICs, NICOPs, or passports |
| Document inconsistencies | A mismatched name spelling between a foreign passport and Pakistani ID can trigger security checks and halt processing |
| Unattested marriage documents | Spouses must submit marriage certificates attested by both Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the foreign ministry of their home country |
| Missing renunciation certificate | Anyone who previously held a Pakistani passport/ID and never formally cancelled it faces automatic denial |
| Unconfirmed payment / unresolved biometrics | Automatic processing halt |
| Photo flaws | Low resolution, poor lighting, or wrong background colour gets flagged automatically |
| Security/criminal record flags | Criminal records, dual-nationality discrepancies, or unresolved security clearances trigger referral to the Ministry of Interior, extending processing |
When POC Payment Goes Wrong
| Problem | What to Do |
| Card declined / gateway error after deduction | Wait up to 24 hours for reconciliation; don’t panic immediately |
| No record of transaction | Screenshot the error and note your reference number |
| Status stuck after 24 hours | Clear browser cache, retry during non-peak hours |
| International transaction blocked | Call your bank to whitelist e-commerce/international transactions for the gateway |
| Prepaid/virtual/locally-restricted card rejected | Switch to a standard Visa/Mastercard, or use JazzCash/EasyPaisa if applying from within Pakistan |
| Repeated timeouts during high traffic | Credit cards tend to have fewer connection issues than debit cards during peak periods |
Always confirm your balance covers the full fee plus any additional charges before retrying.
How to Renew a Pakistan Origin Card (POC)
- Go through Pak-ID or the Smart POC portal
- Fill in details
- Upload a compliant photo (tools like Visafoto.com or 7ID can help meet specs)
- Pay the renewal fee
- Wait for approved status
Note: Renewal refreshes your full eligibility record, not just the expiry date. If personal details are changing (name, address), sort that before or during renewal so the application data matches your eligibility exactly. Many renewals can be completed without visiting a NADRA office.
How to Modify or Update Your Pakistan Origin Card
Fields that can be modified: present address, permanent address, marital status, profession, name (if legally changed).
Every change needs supporting legal documentation for example, official name-change documents for a name update, or a NikahNama/Marriage Certificate for a marital status update.
Process:
- Log in or create an account on the Pak-ID Portal or app
- Select Start New Application → Modify POC
- Update the relevant fields (Name, Address, Marital Status)
- Complete biometrics if triggered
- Upload your current valid foreign passport, existing POC, and any change-specific documents
- Submit and wait for NADRA review and notification
- Pay the processing fee (Normal, Urgent, or Executive track)
- Updated card is mailed to your address
Those without app access can visit a Pakistani diplomatic mission or NADRA Registration Centre in person. Fee details are listed under the NADRA Registration Policy, Chapter Change Correction, POC Section, on the NADRA website.
How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Pakistan Origin Card
- File a police loss report (recommended, not mandatory)
- Apply for a replacement via the Pak Identity Portal, website, Pak-ID app, an e-Khidmat Markaz, or a provincial app
- Log in and enter your 16-digit POC number
- Select the loss or reprint option under the modification section
- Upload a scanned valid foreign passport, your Pakistani parent/spouse ID for origin verification, and any other requested documents
- Pay the replacement fee via credit or debit card
- Choose your tier Normal, Urgent, or Executive which determines delivery timing
- Card is printed, dispatched, and delivered to your chosen address (home, embassy, or consulate)
Tip: Keep a digital backup of your 16-digit POC number to avoid scrambling to recover it from memory.
Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Validity Period
- Standard validity: 5 years from the date of issuance (not the application date)
- Marriage-based POC: 5 years
- No automatic rollover renewal is required after expiry
Benefits of Holding a Pakistan Origin Card
- Visa-free entry with multiple entries
- Indefinite stay without repeated visa extensions
- Exemption from police/foreigners registration reporting
- Property rights: purchase, sell, own, and dispose of movable and immovable property
- Banking access: open and operate accounts
- SIM registration without a local sponsor
- Right to work in most sectors
- Swift immigration lanes at designated ports
Pakistan Origin Card Restrictions
- Cannot vote in Pakistani elections or take part in the constitutional political process
- Cannot hold a Pakistani passport
- Cannot run for public office, join the armed forces, or serve in sensitive government departments
- Cannot generally obtain an arms licence
Pakistan Origin Card for Foreign Spouses of Pakistani Citizens
Eligibility: married for at least 5 years; must not belong to a country currently restricted under NADRA regulations.
Rights unlocked:
- Indefinite stay and visa-free entry with multiple entries
- Full ownership rights purchase, sell, dispose of movable and immovable property
- Financial access open bank accounts and register local SIMs
- Exemption from local police reporting
Pakistan Origin Card for Children Born Outside Pakistan
| Child’s Status | Correct Document |
| Holds a Pakistani passport / dual national | NICOP |
| Holds only a foreign passport | POC |
Required documents for Children Born Abroad:
- Child’s foreign birth certificate (listing both parents)
- Scanned copies of parents’ Pakistani CNICs, NICOPs, or passports
- Affidavit of no objection from the mother, if applicable
- Proof of legal status (visa document showing current residence and country of birth)
- Official marriage registration certificate of the parents
- Recent passport-sized colour photo, white background
How to apply: online via the NADRA Pak-ID website, or via the Pak-ID app (iOS/Android) fill details, upload photos, pay the fee, and submit.
Pakistan Origin Card Application Checklist
- Valid foreign passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Proof of Pakistani lineage birth certificate, marriage certificate (for foreign spouses), or family tree showing clear descent
- CNIC, NICOP, or Pakistani passport, if held
- Prior Pakistani ID or cancellation records, mandatory if applicant is 21 or older
- CNIC numbers entered without dashes
- Marital status field matching NADRA’s exact records
- Name fields capped at 27 characters including spaces abbreviate if needed
- Passport-sized, high-resolution recent photo with a blue or white background
- Use official fillable templates from the NADRA POC portal
- All attested documents signed by an adult CNIC or POC holder
Conclusion
A Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is an essential identity document for eligible foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, offering visa-free entry, long-term stay, property ownership, banking access, and other valuable benefits in Pakistan. Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria, gather the required documents, and submit accurate information through the Pak-ID portal, mobile app, or a NADRA Registration Centre. Following the official requirements and keeping your records up to date will help ensure a smooth application process and avoid unnecessary delays.
