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🇵🇰 Registered Law Firm, Lahore, Pakistan | WhatsApp: +92 345 477 0177 | Serving 15+ Countries Worldwide
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NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) is held exclusively by Pakistanis living abroad. We help with the complete renewal process from any country — UK, USA, Canada, UAE or anywhere.
Timeline
4–8 weeks
Mode
100% Remote *
NICOP stands for National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis. It is a machine-readable identity card issued by NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) exclusively to Pakistani citizens who reside permanently outside Pakistan. If you hold Pakistani nationality and live in the UK, USA, Canada, UAE, Australia, Saudi Arabia or any other country, the NICOP is your primary Pakistani identity document.
Unlike the regular CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) which is for Pakistanis living in Pakistan, the NICOP is specifically designed for the diaspora. It contains your photograph, fingerprints, personal details and a machine-readable zone — similar to a passport data page. Your NICOP number is the same as your CNIC number if you previously held one.
The NICOP is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and must be renewed upon expiry. An expired NICOP can still be renewed — there is no penalty for late renewal, but you will not be able to use expired NICOP for official purposes until it is renewed.
Over 4,680 overseas Pakistanis search for NICOP renewal help every month — you are not alone in this.
Note: Documents vary slightly by country. WhatsApp us for a personalised checklist for your specific country.
Verify that your NICOP is expiring or expired. Contact us via WhatsApp with a photo of your current NICOP. We assess your situation and advise on the fastest renewal route — whether through NADRA's online CROR portal, your local Pakistan Embassy, or with our assisted service. We provide a personalised checklist of documents needed based on your country of residence.
Gather your expired NICOP, valid Pakistani passport, proof of overseas address, and passport photographs. If you need an affidavit or any supporting documents, we prepare those for you. We review all your documents via WhatsApp or email before you proceed, ensuring nothing is missing and no application gets rejected for incomplete paperwork.
For most countries, you'll need to submit biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at your nearest Pakistan Embassy or Consulate. We guide you on appointment booking, what to bring, and what to expect. In some cases, if you've previously submitted biometrics, you can apply through NADRA's online CROR portal without an embassy visit.
Once submitted, your application enters NADRA's processing system. Standard processing takes 4–8 weeks, with urgent processing available at an additional fee. We track your application status directly with NADRA and keep you updated via WhatsApp. If there are any issues or queries from NADRA, we handle them immediately.
Your renewed NICOP is delivered to your registered address abroad via international tracked mail, or available for collection at your Pakistan Embassy. We confirm receipt with you and advise on next steps — including updating any linked NADRA records. Your new NICOP is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
35-36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN
Phone: +44 20 7664 9200
Monday–Friday, 9am–1pm (consular services)
Processing Time: 6–10 weeks (normal) / 3–4 weeks (urgent)
We prepare any affidavits or declarations needed for your NICOP application.
If a representative application is needed, we prepare and register the POA.
We review your documents before submission to prevent rejections.
We track your application and resolve any NADRA queries on your behalf.
To renew your NICOP from the UK, you need to visit the Pakistan High Commission in London (35-36 Lowndes Square, SW1X 9JN) or attend a consular camp in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester or Glasgow. Bring your expired NICOP, valid passport, UK proof of address, and two photographs. Normal processing takes 6–10 weeks. Alternatively, if you've previously submitted biometrics, you may be able to use NADRA's online CROR portal. We can guide you through the entire process — see our UK-specific guide.
US-based Pakistanis can renew their NICOP at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C. or at consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. You'll need your expired NICOP, passport, US proof of address, and photographs. Processing takes 6–10 weeks normally. The NADRA CROR online portal is also available for repeat applicants. Our team can help with document preparation and NADRA follow-up — see our USA-specific guide.
The standard documents required are: your expired or expiring NICOP card, a valid Pakistani passport (photocopy), proof of overseas residence (utility bill or bank statement from the last 3 months), two recent passport-sized photographs with white background, and the processing fee. If your name has changed (e.g., after marriage), you'll also need your marriage certificate. Some countries require additional local documents — contact us for a country-specific checklist.
Standard NICOP renewal processing takes 4–8 weeks from most countries. Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia) tend to be faster at 4–6 weeks. The UK, USA, Canada and Australia typically take 6–10 weeks for normal processing. Urgent processing is available at double the fee and can reduce the timeline to 2–4 weeks. Note that these are NADRA processing times after your application is submitted — the total time includes your embassy visit and postal delivery. We track applications and can follow up with NADRA if there are delays.
Partially, yes. NADRA offers an online CROR (Card Renewal for Overseas Residents) portal where you can submit your renewal application online. However, first-time applicants must submit biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a Pakistan Embassy or Consulate at least once. If you have previously submitted biometrics and they are on file with NADRA, you may be able to complete the entire process online. We can check your biometric status with NADRA and advise on whether an embassy visit is necessary.
NICOP renewal fees vary by country but are generally very affordable. In the UK, the fee is approximately £18 for normal processing and £36 for urgent. In the USA, it's around $15 (normal) and $30 (urgent). Canada charges CAD $20/$40, UAE charges AED 60/120, and Australia charges AUD $25/$50. These are NADRA fees only — embassy service charges may apply additionally. Our legal assistance fee for document preparation, guidance, and NADRA follow-up is separate and discussed during your free consultation.
Yes, you can still travel to Pakistan with an expired NICOP — as long as you hold a valid Pakistani passport. The NICOP is not a travel document; it is an identity card. Your passport is what allows you to enter Pakistan. However, an expired NICOP means you cannot use it for identity verification purposes within Pakistan, such as property transactions, bank account operations, or accessing government services. We recommend renewing your NICOP at least 2–3 months before you need it.
CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) is for Pakistani citizens living in Pakistan. NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) is for Pakistani citizens living permanently abroad. Both carry the same 13-digit identity number and are issued by NADRA. The key difference is eligibility: CNIC requires a Pakistani residential address, while NICOP requires proof of overseas residence. If you move back to Pakistan permanently, you would convert your NICOP to a CNIC, and vice versa. For property and legal matters from abroad, your NICOP is your primary document.