You hold a US passport, your roots are in Pakistan, and every trip home starts with a visa application. For many Pakistani-American families there is a better document: the Pakistan Origin Card, or POC. It gives visa-free entry to Pakistan and makes property, banking and business there easier. The catch is that it is only for certain people, and applying for the wrong card, or with the wrong family documents, costs weeks. New American Hope handles POC applications from the USA for you, in English, Urdu or Punjabi. Here is who qualifies and what it costs.
What is a Pakistan Origin Card?
The POC is an identity card that NADRA issues to foreign nationals of Pakistani origin. It is not citizenship and it is not a passport. What it does is let you enter and stay in Pakistan without a visa, and it helps with property ownership, business and banking there. NADRA now issues it as a Smart POC with a secure chip.
| Issued by | NADRA, Pakistan’s national registration authority |
|---|---|
| For | Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, and foreign spouses of Pakistanis |
| Main benefit | Visa-free entry to Pakistan |
| Also helps with | Property, business and banking in Pakistan |
| Valid for | 7 years (5 years for a spouse-based card) |
Who qualifies for a POC from the USA?
NADRA issues the POC to people who are not Pakistani citizens but have a family link to Pakistan. For US families, that usually means one of these:
- You were a Pakistani citizen and have given up Pakistani nationality
- You are a US citizen and a parent or grandparent is, or was, Pakistani
- You are a foreign national married to a Pakistani citizen or a person of Pakistani origin
- You are the dependent child of such a foreign spouse
Nationals of some countries, including India and Bangladesh, are excluded from the spouse category.
NICOP or POC: which card do you need?
This is the question we answer most often, and getting it wrong is the most common reason an application goes nowhere. The rule is simple: the NICOP is for Pakistani citizens, the POC is for people who are not. NADRA does not issue a POC to someone who holds a NICOP, because a NICOP holder is a Pakistani citizen.
| NICOP | POC | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Pakistani citizens living abroad, including dual US-Pakistani nationals | Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, and foreign spouses |
| Visa-free entry to Pakistan | Yes | Yes |
| New card fee (normal) | $39 | $150 |
| Valid for | 10 years | 7 years, or 5 for a spouse |
Pakistan allows dual nationality with the United States, so a Pakistani who becomes a US citizen does not have to give up Pakistani citizenship, and can keep a NICOP. The POC matters for people who have formally given up Pakistani nationality, for US-born family members who are not Pakistani citizens, and for foreign spouses. If you are unsure which group you are in, that is the first thing we check. Our NICOP guide covers the other card.
POC fees and processing time in 2026
These are NADRA’s published fees for the Smart POC, in US dollars. The fee can be charged in Pakistani rupees at the conversion rate on the day you apply. Our own service fee is separate, flat and quoted in writing before we start.
| Normal (31 days) | Urgent (23 days) | Executive (9 days) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New POC | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| POC renewal | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Modification | $200 | $250 | $300 |
| Duplicate (lost card) | $200 | $250 | $300 |
The timelines start once the fee is paid and the application is accepted. Courier delivery to the United States adds a few days.
Where POC applications go wrong
| Problem | Where it goes wrong | With New American Hope |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong card | Applying for a POC while still a Pakistani citizen, or a NICOP after giving it up | We confirm the right card from your citizenship history first |
| Proving the family link | A parent’s or grandparent’s Pakistani record that cannot be found or does not match | We trace the family record and line up the documents that prove it |
| Spouse cases | Marriage records that do not match NADRA’s data | We check the marriage record against NADRA before anything is filed |
| Photos and scans | Rejected for size or quality, weeks after paying | Checked before submission |
| Follow-up | No idea where the card is | We track it until it reaches your door |
The verdict
For a Pakistani-American family that has given up Pakistani nationality, or a US-born child or foreign spouse, the POC ends the visa routine for good. The card itself is straightforward; deciding between NICOP and POC and proving the family link are where the time goes. Get those right first and the rest follows. If you only need one trip soon, see our guide to the Pakistan visa for US citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get a Pakistan Origin Card in the USA?
NADRA issues the POC to foreign nationals of Pakistani origin: people who were Pakistani citizens and gave up their nationality, foreign nationals whose parent or grandparent is or was Pakistani, foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens or origin persons, and the dependent children of those spouses. Nationals of some countries, including India and Bangladesh, are excluded from the spouse category.
How much does a POC cost in 2026?
NADRA lists a new Smart POC at $150 for normal processing (31 days), $200 urgent (23 days) and $250 executive (9 days). Renewal costs the same; a modification or duplicate costs $200, $250 or $300. The fee can be charged in Pakistani rupees at the conversion rate.
Can I have both a NICOP and a POC?
No. A NICOP holder is a Pakistani citizen, and the POC is only for foreign nationals of Pakistani origin. Pakistan allows dual nationality with the United States, so a Pakistani who becomes a US citizen can keep a NICOP instead.
Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan with a POC?
No. The Pakistan Origin Card gives its holder visa-free entry to Pakistan.
How long is a POC valid?
A Smart POC is valid for 7 years for former Pakistanis and parent-based cards, and 5 years for spouse-based cards.
Can New American Hope help me with my NICOP?
Yes. New American Hope LLC has handled Pakistani paperwork for families across the USA since 2015, from home, by phone and WhatsApp. We complete NICOP applications and renewals from the USA, check documents and photos against NADRA requirements, and track the card until it is delivered. The first consultation is free, in English, Urdu or Punjabi: call or WhatsApp +1 (530) 761-2830.
Disclaimer: New American Hope LLC is a private immigration consultancy, not a law firm, government agency, embassy, or consulate. We do not provide legal advice. Information in this article is for general guidance only and may change; always confirm current requirements, fees, and processing times with NADRA (nadra.gov.pk) or your nearest Pakistan embassy or consulate. Final decisions on any application are made solely by the relevant government authorities.
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