Your Guide to Applying for Pakistan Origin Card (POC)

In This Post:
Benefits for POC Holders
POC Eligibility Criteria
Countries with Dual Nationality Arrangements
POC Document Requirements
Applying for POC Online
POC Fee Details and Processing Time

Pakistani nationals, who are planning to immigrate or move abroad to pursue their educational or career goals, are required to apply for the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani (NICOP). On the other hand, overseas Pakistanis and foreigners who want to frequently visit and work in the country should apply for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) as it comes with many benefits.

In today’s world, you can easily apply for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) online from anywhere, using desktop and mobile platforms. Wondering how? We’ve got you covered. Here we are going to explain to you the entire POC application process in an orderly manner, so make sure to read this post till the end. 

Here we go!

Benefits of Having a Pakistan Origin Card (POC)

According to the NADRA’s official website, if you are a POC holder, you’ll get to enjoy the following benefits:

• Multiple visa-free entries for Pakistan.
• Indefinite stay in Pakistan with exemption from reporting to the local law enforcement authorities as well as any concerned foreigners’ registration offices.
• POC holders can purchase, sell, and dispose of movable and immovable property anywhere in Pakistan.
• They also enjoy the privilege of opening and operating bank accounts in Pakistan.
• Hassle-free immigration process to/from Pakistan for multiple destinations across the world.
• A replacement of the National Identity Card as an identity proof within the country.
• POC holders can also apply for a job in Pakistan during their stay.

Am I Eligible to Apply for POC?

There are certain conditions that specify the eligibility criteria for POC for individuals. According to the NADRA’s official website, you are eligible to apply for Pakistan Origin Card (POC) only if: 

• You were a Pakistani citizen and you have surrendered the nationality (depending on your country of stay).
• You are a foreigner, married to a Pakistani citizen 
• You are a foreigner and your parents or grandparents are or were Pakistani nationals.
• You are a foreigner and any of your siblings or relatives are or were from Pakistan.
• Also, note that the State of Pakistan does not issue POC to citizens of India, Israel, Taiwan or any other country that is not recognized by the concerned diplomatic authorities.

Document Required for POC Online Application

Wondering what documents are required to apply for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC)? Here is the list of documents listed on NADRA’s official website. Have a look!

• Copy of CNIC/NICOP and the original card must be returned to the concerned NADRA offices.
• Applicants should apply for cancellation of CNIC/CRC/NICOP prior to the application process of POC if they are above 21 years.
• Applicants who are foreign nationals should attach an affidavit with their application.
• Overseas Pakistanis who have dual nationalities are recommended to apply for NICOP or provide a renunciation certificate, which proves the cancellation of their Pakistani CNIC.
• CNIC/POC/NICOP/Passport of your parents/grandparents who are Pakistani nationals and relevant documents proving your relationship with them.
• CNIC/POC/Passport of your siblings/relatives who are Pakistani nationals and relevant documents proving your relationship with them.
• Attested copy of marriage certificate as well as CNIC/NICOP/Passport of your spouse, who is a Pakistani national. 

List of Countries Having Dual Nationality Arrangements with Pakistan

In case you are a resident of any of the below-mentioned countries, you may not have to surrender your nationality while applying for POC since these countries have dual nationality arrangements with Pakistan: 

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Egypt
• France
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jordan
• Netherlands a.k.a Holland
• New Zealand
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Syria
• United Kingdom
• United State of America
• Bahrain
• Finland
• Denmark
• Germany (only for children of Pakistani nationals who are born in Germany)

How to Apply for POC Online

Let’s take you through the online application process for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC), which is available at the Pak Identity website of NADRA, accessible from both mobile and desktop

• The very step you need to take is to make an account on the Pak Identity Portal on NADRA.
• Upon entering all the required information, you’ll get a confirmation/verification email and SMS.
• Once you have logged in to your account on the website and clicked on the “Pakistan Origin Card”.
• Select your query type. For example, you may either be applying for a new card, renewal application, modification of data or cancellation of POC.
• Once you have selected your desired option, your application process will begin. Fill out the required details and attach all the documents in PDF format online.
• You can easily pay for your application online by providing your debit or credit card details and entering the required amount.
• In the next section of our blog, we are going to take a look at the application fee for POC, which also determines its processing and delivery time.

Fee Details for Different Types of Pakistan Origin Card (POC) Applications

You can apply for POC with different modes of delivery. The application fee will also vary depending on your selected option. Further details in this regard are given in the table below:

Note: All the aforementioned POC application fee details have been fetched by the official Pak Identity website of NADRA.

This brings us to the end of our detailed guide on how to apply for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) online. We hope this piece has provided you with all the key details on the process. In case, you still have any questions or feedback related to our blog, feel free to drop us an email at blog@zameen.com. 

The recent digitization of NADRA has made our lives a lot easier than ever before. For instance, we can now digitally track our NADRA CNIC record in a few simple steps using the NADRA’s newly-launched cutting-edge CNIC verification portal. If you are looking for addresses and other details about NADRA offices in Lahore and Karachi, then don’t forget to take a look at these blogs.

For more informative lifestyle guides and property-related pieces, stay tuned to Zameen Blog, the No.1 lifestyle and real estate blog in Pakistan. Subscribe to our email newsletter and stay updated with all our latest blog posts.

*Cover credits: NADRA Official Website