If you've heard that NADRA stopped letting people apply for their first CNIC through the Pak ID app, that rumour isn't quite right. NADRA issued a clarification today confirming the online route is still open — it's just not automatic for everyone.
- Applying for a first-time ID card through Pak ID using a Form B or CRC has not been discontinued.
- If your photo, fingerprints, and iris scan are already on file with NADRA, you can still complete the whole process online.
- If your childhood record is missing full biometric data, Pak ID can start the application, but you must visit a NADRA Registration Centre once to finish it.
What NADRA Clarified Today
NADRA explained that by law, it must hold a complete biometric record — photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan — before it can issue any identity card. The catch is that many older Form B and CRC records were created years ago, back when a child's full biometric data wasn't always captured at registration. So some people have a valid record in NADRA's system, but that record is incomplete for today's ID card requirements.
Who Can Still Apply Fully Online
If your biometric details are already linked to your Form B or CRC in NADRA's database, nothing changes for you. You can open the Pak ID app, submit your first-time CNIC application, and complete it start to finish without stepping into an office.
It means NADRA already has your photograph, all ten fingerprints, and an iris scan attached to your childhood registration — usually because these were captured when your Form B or CRC was issued, or updated later at a NADRA centre.
Who Needs to Visit a NADRA Centre
If your record is missing any part of that biometric set, the app cannot finish the job on its own. You'll still be able to start your application in Pak ID, but you'll then need to visit a NADRA Registration Centre once to have your photograph, fingerprints, and iris captured in person. NADRA has said applicants can use the app itself to book that centre appointment, so you don't need to show up without a slot.
An incomplete biometric record does not mean your application has failed — it means one extra step is required. Skipping the centre visit, or trying to repeatedly resubmit online, will only delay your ID card further.
Online vs In-Person: Quick Comparison
| Your Situation | Can You Finish Fully Online? | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Photo, fingerprints, and iris already on file with your Form B/CRC | Yes | Apply directly through Pak ID |
| Old Form B/CRC record with incomplete biometric data | No | Start in Pak ID, then book a centre visit through the app |
| Overseas Pakistani applying for a child's NICOP via Form B | Yes, for the application | Update the child's biometrics at a NADRA office, embassy/consulate counter, or on your next visit to Pakistan |
Overseas Pakistanis: NICOP for Children
NADRA confirmed that overseas Pakistanis can continue applying through Pak ID for a NICOP for their children on the basis of Form B. However, since a complete biometric record is still eventually required, NADRA is advising overseas families to get their children's biometrics updated at the earliest opportunity — either at a NADRA office in Pakistan, at a NADRA counter inside a Pakistani embassy or consulate abroad, or during their next visit to Pakistan.
- Start your first-time ID card application in the Pak ID app as usual.
- If the app flags missing biometric data, use Pak ID to book an appointment at your nearest NADRA Registration Centre.
- Visit the centre on your scheduled date to have your photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan captured.
- Your application is then completed and processed using the updated record.
Why NADRA Requires This
NADRA says the biometric requirement exists to keep identity-card issuance compliant with existing regulations, protect the integrity of the national identity and biometric databases, and reduce the risk of fraud or identity misuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has NADRA discontinued first-time CNIC applications through Pak ID?
No. NADRA has explicitly clarified that this facility is still active for applicants whose biometric records are already complete.
Q: Why is my application asking me to visit a centre if I already applied through Form B?
This usually means your Form B or CRC record does not yet have your full photograph, fingerprint, and iris data on file — a common issue for older childhood registrations.
Q: Can I skip the centre visit if I've already tried applying twice online?
No. If your biometric record is incomplete, a centre visit is required by law before NADRA can issue the card — there is no online workaround.
Q: Is there a fee for this process?
NADRA's fee structure depends on the type of application and processing priority (normal, urgent, or executive). This news update does not specify a separate fee for this clarification, so applicants should confirm current fees on NADRA's official fee page before applying.
Q: I'm an overseas Pakistani — can I still get a NICOP for my child through Form B?
Yes, NADRA confirmed this route remains open. You're advised to update your child's biometric record as soon as possible, either in Pakistan or at a NADRA counter abroad.
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Official Source: NADRA – Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC)
Also reported by: ARY News, August 22, 2026
