NADRA to provide free CNIC for 15 days

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has arranged a great facility for the nation’s people: they can obtain their first Identity Card free of cost in 15 days, the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) said.

According to the official Facebook page of NADRA, NADRA will issue the first Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) without a chip to the citizens free of cost in 15 days.

NADRA has called upon all citizens who have reached the age of 18 and all those who do not possess a CNIC to come to any nearby centre, undergo the process, and obtain their first CNIC for free.

As per law, upon turning 18 years old, a citizen is qualified to obtain his/her ID card, and they also become qualified to vote in general elections.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)has revised its fee table of Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) renewal, Smart ID Card renewal fees for October.

According to the latest update, the NADRA would be imposing a fee of Rs 400 under regular, Rs 1150 urgent, and Rs 2150 executive for the release of CNIC renewal for the current month of October.

CNIC renewal under normal conditions will be provided to the customers after a process time of 15 days; whereas under the urgent renewal, CNIC will be delivered to the customer within 12 days of the process duration. While customers can obtain CNIC renewal within six days under the executive facility.

CNIC Renewal Fee in October 2025

• Normal: PKR 400 with a processing duration of 15 days.
• Urgent: PKR 1150 with a process time of 12 days.
• Executive: PKR 2150 with a process time of only 6 days.

Smart NIC Renewal Fee Update

In the same way, the NADRA provides a smart ID card in three categories: Normal, Urgent, and Executive.

It would levy Rs 750 for a Smart ID card renewal in the normal category, with a process time of 31 days in October this year.

While Rs 1500 shall be charged under the Urgent category for a smart ID card renewal issuance, with having process time of 15 days.

The authority shall charge Rs 2500 with a process time of 9 days for a smart ID card renewal under the executive category.

• Normal: PKR 750 with a processing time of 31 days.
• Urgent: PKR 1500 with a processing time of 15 days.
• Executive: PKR 2500, processing time of 9 days.

The new fee structure is more flexible, enabling citizens to select their desired processing speed and related charges.

For individuals requiring a CNIC or Smart NIC urgently, the Executive option is available for fast-track service, compressing the wait time to just days.

Citizens are invited to apply based on their need and choice.

National Data Base Registration Authority (NADRA)

The NADRA provides identity cards and other necessary documents to Pakistani citizens.

The authority imposes a processing fee on the issuance or renewal of the identity documents, including Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) and Smart National Identity Cards (Smart NIC).

The identity cards are a crucial identification document for citizens. The CNIC comprises personal information, biometric data, and a unique ID number, ensuring access to government services, voting, and other legal procedures in the country.