Imdad Portal

Pakistan Origin Card (POC)

The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is issued to foreign nationals of Pakistani origin — former citizens, their children and grandchildren, or foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens. It grants visa-free entry and civil privileges without requiring renunciation of foreign nationality.

NADRA Varies by category and country; confirm current timelines on Pak-ID. Verified Guide

اہم معلومات (آسان اردو میں)

موجودہ صورت حالSTATUS
کیٹیگری/ملک کے مطابق
یہ سہولت/فوائد کیا ہے؟BENEFIT
  • POC پاکستانی نژاد غیر ملکیوں (سابقہ شہری، ان کے بچے/پوتے، یا پاکستانی شہری کے غیر ملکی شریکِ حیات) کے لیے ہے۔
  • ویزا فری انٹری اور سول مراعات دیتا ہے، اور غیر ملکی شہریت چھوڑنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔
  • فیس USD میں (کیٹیگری/ملک کے مطابق)۔
اہلیت کا معیارELIGIBILITY
  • پاکستانی نژاد غیر ملکی، یا پاکستانی شہری کا غیر ملکی شریکِ حیات۔
  • پاکستانی نژاد/تعلق کا ثبوت ہو۔
ضروری دستاویزاتDOCUMENTS
  • غیر ملکی پاسپورٹ
  • پاکستانی نژاد کا ثبوت (پرانا شناختی کارڈ، والدین کا CNIC، نکاح نامہ وغیرہ)
  • تازہ تصاویر
درخواست کا طریقہHOW TO APPLY
  1. Pak-ID پورٹل سے یا قریبی پاکستانی مشن سے درخواست دیں۔
  2. POC کیٹیگری منتخب کریں اور دستاویزات جمع کریں۔
  3. بائیومیٹرک مکمل کریں۔
  4. فیس (USD) ادا کریں۔
  5. کارڈ وصول کریں یا Pak-ID سے ٹریک کریں۔

Service Overview

For Foreign Nationals of Pakistani Origin

The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is issued to foreign nationals who have roots in Pakistan — former citizens, their children and grandchildren, or foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens. It lets holders reconnect with Pakistan and enjoy civil privileges without giving up their foreign nationality.

Key Benefits

  • Visa-free entry to Pakistan
  • The right to buy, sell and own property
  • The ability to open bank accounts in Pakistan
  • Access to basic civil services without a visa
  • No need to renounce your foreign citizenship

Good to Know

  • POC validity is 7 years for Pakistani-origin holders and 5 years for spouse-based cards.
  • Applications are accepted only through the official Pak-ID app.
  • Citizenship decides the document — Pakistani citizens abroad use NICOP, not POC.

What this means for you

The Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is for people who are not Pakistani citizens but have Pakistani roots — former citizens, their children and grandchildren, or a foreign spouse of a Pakistani citizen. It grants visa-free entry and certain civil privileges, and importantly it does not require you to give up your foreign nationality. POC applications are now handled only through NADRA’s PakID app.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing POC with NICOP. If you are still a Pakistani citizen you need a NICOP, not a POC.
  • Trying to apply on a website or manually. POC is now accepted only through the official Pak-ID app.
  • Missing proof of Pakistani origin. Keep documents ready — a cancelled Pakistani passport, old CNIC/NICOP, or your parents’/grandparents’ Pakistani documents.

How to make sure you are on the official channel

Use only the official PakID app / NADRA. No agent or third-party website can issue a POC, and NADRA never asks for your password or OTP by message.

Official source: NADRA — nadra.gov.pk  |  Apply: id.nadra.gov.pk
Last verified: August 11, 2026. POC fees are charged in USD and vary by category and country — confirm current fees and validity on the official app before applying.
Related services: NICOP · FRC
اہم معلومات (آسان اردو میں)

POC اُن غیر ملکی افراد کے لیے ہے جن کی جڑیں پاکستانی ہیں (سابق شہری، ان کے بچے/پوتے، یا پاکستانی کا غیر ملکی شریکِ حیات)۔ یہ ویزہ-فری داخلہ دیتا ہے اور غیر ملکی شہریت چھوڑنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔ اب صرف PakID ایپ سے۔

Eligibility Criteria

Foreign national who is a former Pakistani citizen, or whose parent / grandparent is or was a Pakistani national.
Foreign spouse of a Pakistani citizen (spouse-based POC).
Applicant must hold foreign citizenship — Pakistani citizens living abroad use NICOP, not POC.
Must prove Pakistani origin (cancelled Pakistani passport, old CNIC / NICOP, or family records).

Required Documents

Valid foreign passport
Proof of Pakistani origin — cancelled Pakistani passport, old CNIC / NICOP, or parents' / grandparents' Pakistani documents
Marriage certificate and spouse's CNIC (for spouse-based POC)
Surrender of old Pakistani NIC / CNIC / NICOP and a renunciation letter where applicable

How to Apply — Step by Step

1

Apply through the official Pak-ID mobile app (manual or website applications are no longer accepted for POC).

2

Select the POC category and enter your details.

3

Upload proof of Pakistani origin and supporting documents.

4

Pay the applicable fee.

5

Track via SMS to 8400, the NADRA helpline or Pak-ID.

6

The card is couriered to your address, or collected at an NRC in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin (former citizens and their children / grandchildren) and foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens.
A POC is for non-citizens of Pakistani origin; a NICOP is for Pakistani citizens living abroad. Citizenship is the deciding factor.
No. A POC does not require you to renounce your foreign citizenship.
7 years for Pakistani-origin holders, and 5 years for spouse-based POC.
Visa-free entry to Pakistan, the right to buy, sell and own property, open bank accounts, and access basic civil services.
No. A Pakistan Origin Card does not require you to renounce your foreign citizenship.

Important Notes

POC applications are accepted only through the official Pak-ID app.
A POC does not require you to renounce your foreign nationality.
Validity: 7 years for Pakistani-origin holders and 5 years for spouse-based POC.

Related Services

CNIC Renewal
CNIC Modification
Duplicate CNIC