NADRA NICOP Fee Structure for Europeans Announced

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has issued a fee structure for the issuance of smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) in European countries, providing a range of benefits to Pakistani citizens living abroad, including visa-free entry into Pakistan and recognition as a Pakistani citizen.

The NICOP fee structure for European countries is divided into three categories: Normal, Urgent, and Executive, with fees ranging from Rs11,340 to Rs21,820. This fee structure applies to all 27 European Union countries, including Austria, Belgium, and France. The introduction of NICOP has been a significant development for overseas Pakistanis, enabling them to exercise their rights as citizens, including buying and selling properties, opening bank accounts, and obtaining a Pakistani passport.

NADRA's success in introducing the computerized national identity card in 2001 has been instrumental in establishing Pakistan as one of the few countries with a modern and comprehensive digital identification system. The organization's history dates back to 1998, when it was established with the help of Pakistan's armed forces to conduct a national population census. The database created during this census was later used as the basis for the issuance of computerized national identity cards.

The issuance of NICOP is a significant step towards recognizing the rights of overseas Pakistanis and providing them with a secure and modern form of identification. With the new fee structure in place, NADRA aims to facilitate the process of obtaining a NICOP for Pakistani citizens living in European countries, enabling them to maintain their connection with their homeland and exercise their rights as citizens.