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You can renew your CNIC online through NADRA’s Pak-ID, and most job applications need a valid CNIC, so renew before the expiry date passes.
Pak-ID is NADRA’s online platform at id.nadra.gov.pk, with the Pak-ID mobile app for Android and iOS. A straightforward renewal with no data changes can be done fully online, and the new card is delivered by courier to your address.
Apply only through id.nadra.gov.pk or the official Pak-ID app. No agent can renew a CNIC faster. Never pay anyone except the fee shown in Pak-ID.
How to Renew Your CNIC Online in Pakistan#
Renew your Smart NIC on Pak-ID in a few steps. You cannot apply for a fresh or new CNIC online; a first CNIC needs a visit to a NADRA centre.
- Open id.nadra.gov.pk or the Pak-ID mobile app, and create your account.
- Select the CNIC renewal option and fill in the digital application form.
- Upload the required documents: a clear scan of your old CNIC, a recent photograph, your signature and your fingerprint form.
- Pay the fee by debit or credit card. The exact fee shows on the payment screen before you pay.
- Track your application in Pak-ID. The new card is delivered by courier to your address.
NADRA may ask you to visit a centre for biometrics if the app cannot capture your photo or fingerprints. A straightforward renewal with no changes usually needs no visit.
If your CNIC is lost or damaged, the same renewal process applies. You need your old CNIC number if you know it, and new biometrics and a new card are issued.
CNIC Renewal Fee in Pakistan#
The fee depends on the card type and the processing speed. The figures below are the Smart NIC renewal fees, which is the card most people renew now.
| Service | Fee | Processing time |
| Normal | Rs 750 | 31 days |
| Urgent | Rs 1,500 | 23 days |
| Executive | Rs 2,500 | 9 days |
The processing time starts after you pay the fee, not after you submit the application. Delivery charges may apply separately: delivery within Pakistan is Rs 165.
The older standard CNIC renewal costs less: Rs 400 normal, Rs 1,150 urgent and Rs 2,150 executive, with 15, 12 and 6 days. A first-time CNIC is free.
NADRA revises its fee schedule from time to time, so confirm the exact fee on the Pak-ID payment screen before you pay.
Documents Needed for CNIC Renewal in Pakistan#
Keep these ready before you start the application, so NADRA can verify your details correctly.
- Old CNIC: your existing CNIC number. The physical card is not required for a straightforward renewal.
- Photograph: a recent photo with a plain white background and no shadows. Look directly at the camera with your eyes open, shoulders level and visible. Do not wear caps or uniforms.
- Signature: sign your name in dark black ink on a blank white sheet of paper, scan it clearly and crop the image tightly around the text.
- Fingerprints: download the fingerprint form from the portal, place your inked fingers on the designated boxes, and upload a high-resolution scan at 600 DPI. The app can also capture your fingerprints live.
- Contact and payment: a working mobile number and email, and a debit or credit card for the fee.
If you are changing details at the same time, attach proof: a Nikah Nama or divorce decree for marital status, an official employment letter or degree for a profession change, and a utility bill for a new address.
NADRA may ask for details of a family member with a valid CNIC for witness or attestation.
Renewing at a NADRA Centre Instead#
You can also renew at any NADRA Registration Centre, Mega Centre, e-Sahulat franchise or Mobile Registration Van. At a centre, the steps are: take a token, have your photograph captured, give your fingerprints and signature, and check the printed form for your data entry.
Submit the form after confirming the printed information and attestation by a gazetted officer. Bring a blood relative (father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter) and you can skip the attestation by providing their biometrics at the centre instead.
A first-time CNIC is free, but it cannot be applied for online. The applicant must visit a centre with a B-Form and a parent’s or guardian’s CNIC, and give biometrics at the counter.
Expired CNIC and Job Applications in Pakistan#
Do not apply for a government job with an expired CNIC. The documents required for government jobs guide states that your CNIC must be valid and unexpired, and it is checked on test day and at scrutiny.
Renew first, then apply. If a job deadline is near, choose Urgent or Executive processing and keep your renewal receipt and tracking number until the new card arrives.
Children under 18 use a B-Form instead of a CNIC. The B-Form guide covers how to get one, and the NADRA FRC guide covers the Family Registration Certificate some applications ask for.
Frequently Asked Questions#
How do I renew my CNIC online? Open id.nadra.gov.pk or the Pak-ID app, create an account, select renewal, fill the form, upload your old CNIC scan, photo, signature and fingerprint form, pay by card, and the new card is delivered by courier.
A fresh CNIC cannot be applied for online.
What is the CNIC renewal fee? For a Smart NIC renewal: Rs 750 normal (31 days), Rs 1,500 urgent (23 days) and Rs 2,500 executive (9 days).
The older standard CNIC renewal is Rs 400, Rs 1,150 and Rs 2,150. Delivery within Pakistan is Rs 165 extra.
Can I apply for a job with an expired CNIC? No. Government job applications and tests need a valid, unexpired CNIC, checked on test day and at scrutiny. Renew first, and keep the renewal receipt until the new card arrives.
How long does renewal take? Normal takes 31 days, Urgent 23 days and Executive 9 days for a Smart NIC renewal. The time starts after you pay the fee, and delivery by courier adds a few days.
Can I renew from abroad? Yes. Renewal can be done online from anywhere through the Pak-ID app. You need a scanned CNIC copy, a passport-size photo, and proof of address or your passport. Delivery abroad varies by country.
