NADRA
Last Updated: October 2026
A NICOP does not make you a dual national. NADRA issues it to Pakistani citizens living abroad, and says plainly that NICOP holders are Pakistani citizens. Dual nationality is a separate legal status. Under section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, a Pakistani who also holds another country’s nationality ceases to be a Pakistani citizen, unless that country is one the Federal Government has specified. NADRA’s Registration Policy lists 22 such countries.
This guide sets out that list, what the Act says, the declaration NADRA’s NICOP form asks you to make, and what happens to your card if you take a second nationality. It describes Pakistan’s and NADRA’s texts only. The other country may have its own rules on dual nationality, and nothing here is legal advice.
The short answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does holding a NICOP mean I am a dual national? | No. It shows you are a Pakistani citizen who lives abroad. Whether you also hold another nationality is a separate fact |
| Can I hold a NICOP and another nationality? | Yes, if the other country is one of the 22 on NADRA’s list |
| What if my other country is not on the list? | Section 14 says you cease to be a Pakistani citizen unless you renounce the other nationality, and NADRA cancels a CNIC or NICOP when its holder obtains the nationality of such a country |
| Should a dual national hold a NICOP or a POC? | A NICOP. NADRA’s policy advises dual national Pakistanis to keep or apply for one rather than a POC |
| Does a NICOP get me into Pakistan on a foreign passport? | Yes while it is valid. Since July 2026 airlines have been refusing boarding if it has expired |
The 22 countries on NADRA’s list
NADRA’s Registration Policy RP-6.0.2, issued on 18 September 2026, ends with a List of Dual National Countries. It gives a date against each country and does not say what the date marks, so we reproduce it as printed. The policy tells staff to check this list when a case involves a second nationality.
| Country | Date on NADRA’s list |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Citizenship Act 1972 |
| Canada | 17 May 1973 |
| Belgium, France, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand | 1 December 1983 |
| Switzerland | 15 February 1988 |
| Jordan | 27 February 1988 |
| Syria | 13 March 1989 |
| Australia | 15 September 1990 |
| Egypt | 17 September 1990 |
| Netherlands | 18 February 1993 |
| Sweden, United States | 29 August 2002 |
| Ireland | 9 April 2005 |
| Bahrain | 1 June 2015 |
| Finland | 23 September 2015 |
| Denmark | 31 October 2017 |
| Germany | 3 December 2019, with a second date of 4 September 2025 printed beside it |
| Norway | 1 January 2020 |
| Luxembourg | 29 December 2020 |
That is 22 countries. We read NADRA’s list, not the Federal Government’s gazette notifications behind it, so confirm a recent addition with NADRA before you rely on it.
What the Citizenship Act says
- Section 14(1) says a Pakistani citizen who is at the same time a citizen or national of another country ceases to be a Pakistani citizen, unless they make a declaration, under the laws of that other country, renouncing that status.
- Section 14(1A) says this does not apply to a person under 21.
- Section 14(3), added in 1972, says it does not apply to a person who is also a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, or of such other country as the Federal Government specifies by notification in the official Gazette. That is the mechanism behind the list.
- Section 14(4) says it does not apply to a female citizen married to a person who is not a citizen of Pakistan.
- Section 14A lets a citizen living outside Pakistan who is not a minor and who also holds another nationality renounce Pakistani citizenship by a registered declaration. A person who has renounced may resume citizenship by declaration, subject to a notification under section 14(3).
Important: section 14 sets the default. Pakistan recognises dual nationality only for the countries it has specified, and a Pakistani who takes the nationality of any other country faces loss of citizenship under section 14 and cancellation of the NICOP by NADRA.
What NADRA asks you to declare
NADRA’s manual NICOP application form, dated 4 June 2025 on its Downloads page, has the applicant declare that they are not a citizen of any country other than Pakistan and the countries that have a dual nationality agreement with Pakistan, with a specific note for children of Pakistani parents who grew up in Germany and acquired German nationality in addition to their parents’. The applicant also declares that if they later obtain citizenship of any other country they will inform NADRA.
The same form lists Dual Nationality Holder as one of the statuses an overseas applicant can claim, defined as a Pakistani citizen holding both Pakistani and foreign citizenship with proof of the foreign nationality, and its document list asks a dual national for a photocopy of the valid foreign passport. We have not seen the app’s own declaration screens, so the app may word this differently. Our NICOP application guide covers the rest of the documents.
If you take another nationality
| The other country is | What NADRA says happens to your NICOP |
|---|---|
| On the list | Nothing. If the second country has a dual nationality agreement with Pakistan, surrender of Pakistani nationality is not required and the CNIC or NICOP does not need cancelling |
| Not on the list | The card is cancelled when you obtain that nationality or formally surrender Pakistani nationality. NADRA says keeping a valid CNIC or NICOP after renouncing is not permitted |
For a cancellation after surrender the policy asks for an application by the holder, the original card (or proof of surrender, or a lost-card form), and the other country’s passport or a verified renunciation certificate. NADRA’s fee structure lists the cancellation at USD 15 on Executive, taking two days. The policy calls a country with no agreement a single national country, and one with an agreement a dual national country. Our guide to CNIC cancellation covers the cancellation that follows a death.
NICOP or POC for a dual national
NADRA’s FAQ answers the common confusion directly: NICOP holders are Pakistani citizens, and the Pakistan Origin Card is only for foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, so a NICOP holder cannot apply for one. The policy adds that dual national Pakistanis are advised to keep or apply for a NICOP instead of a POC. If a holder of a foreign passport still wants a POC, the policy asks for Undertaking D, which says they want the CNIC or NICOP cancelled and will never claim Pakistani citizenship or ask for the cancellation to be revoked. A dual national who obtained a POC by mistake and never renounced citizenship can have it cancelled with Undertaking I. Our guides to NADRA’s undertaking forms and to the Pakistan Origin Card cover both.
Travel on a foreign passport
The UK Foreign Office says a valid NICOP or Smart NICOP is recognised as proof of Pakistani citizenship and allows entry without a visa and a stay of unlimited length. The card has to be valid: since July 2026 airlines have been told to refuse boarding to foreign-passport travellers whose NICOP has expired, as our guide to travelling with an expired NICOP explains. Our NICOP and CNIC comparison sets out what each card allows.
Common mistakes
- Treating a NICOP as proof of dual nationality. It proves Pakistani citizenship and residence abroad. The second nationality is proved by the foreign passport.
- Assuming any country will do. Only the countries on NADRA’s list are covered. Section 14 applies to every other.
- Taking a second nationality without checking the list. NADRA cancels the CNIC or NICOP of a holder who obtains the nationality of a country with no agreement.
- Applying for a POC as a dual national. NICOP holders cannot apply for one, and the policy advises dual nationals to hold a NICOP.
- Forgetting to tell NADRA. The NICOP form asks you to inform NADRA if you later obtain another citizenship.
- Ignoring the other country’s rules. The other country may have its own rules about holding a second nationality, which this guide does not cover.
Sources: sections 14 and 14A from the Pakistan Code copy of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951; the list of dual national countries, the NICOP and POC advice, the cancellation requirements and Undertakings D and I from Registration Policy RP-6.0.2, pages 28, 30, 37, 42 and 44; the answers on NICOP holders, surrender and cancellation from NADRA’s FAQ on its NICOP page; the declaration and the Dual Nationality Holder status from NADRA’s manual NICOP application form on its Downloads page; the cancellation fee from NADRA’s fee structure; and entry without a visa from the UK Foreign Office entry requirements for Pakistan. All read on 2 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this topic.
Does having a NICOP mean I have dual nationality?
No. NADRA issues the NICOP to Pakistani citizens living abroad, and its FAQ says NICOP holders are Pakistani citizens. Whether you also hold another nationality is a separate matter, shown by your foreign passport. Pakistan accepts dual nationality only with the countries on NADRA’s list.
Which countries does Pakistan allow dual nationality with?
NADRA’s Registration Policy RP-6.0.2, issued on 18 September 2026, lists 22: the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, France, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, Jordan, Syria, Australia, Egypt, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States, Ireland, Bahrain, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Luxembourg. Confirm any recent change with NADRA.
Are the UK, the USA and Canada on the list?
Yes. On NADRA’s list the United Kingdom appears against the Citizenship Act 1972, Canada against 17 May 1973 and the United States against 29 August 2002.
What happens to my NICOP if I take the nationality of a country not on the list?
NADRA’s FAQ says CNIC and NICOP are cancelled when a citizen formally surrenders Pakistani nationality or obtains the nationality of a country with which Pakistan has no dual national agreement. Under section 14 of the Citizenship Act the person also ceases to be a Pakistani citizen unless they renounce the other nationality.
Do I have to tell NADRA if I get another nationality?
NADRA’s manual NICOP application form has the applicant declare that they will inform NADRA if they later obtain the citizenship of any country other than Pakistan and the countries with a dual nationality agreement. The app may word its declaration differently, so check what you sign.
Should a dual national apply for a NICOP or a POC?
A NICOP. NADRA’s policy advises dual national Pakistanis to keep or apply for a NICOP instead of a POC. A holder of a foreign passport who still wants a POC signs Undertaking D, which asks for the CNIC or NICOP to be cancelled.
Can a NICOP holder apply for a POC?
No. NADRA’s FAQ says NICOP holders are Pakistani citizens and that the POC is only for foreign nationals of Pakistani origin.
How much does it cost to cancel a NICOP after surrendering nationality?
NADRA’s fee structure lists the cancellation of a NICOP, CNIC or CRC due to nationality surrender at USD 15, on the Executive tier, taking two days. The policy asks for an application, the original card or proof of surrender, and the other country’s passport or a verified renunciation certificate.
Can I travel to Pakistan on a foreign passport with a NICOP?
Yes while the NICOP is valid. The UK Foreign Office says a valid NICOP or Smart NICOP is recognised as proof of Pakistani citizenship and allows entry without a visa. If the card has expired, airlines have been told since July 2026 to refuse boarding unless you hold a Pakistani visa.
