CNIC Renewal Online: NADRA Fees, Documents and Processing Time
Your CNIC expires every ten years, and an expired card stops working for banking, travel, SIM registration and most government services well before you might notice. Renewal can be started online through NADRA's Pak-Identity platform, but biometric verification still needs a visit to a NADRA Registration Centre in most cases.
Renewal costs Rs. 750 for Normal processing (around 30 working days), Rs. 1,500 for Urgent (around two to three weeks), or Rs. 2,500 for Executive (around one to two weeks). Start the application on the Pak-Identity portal or app, then visit an NRC for fingerprints and photo before the card is printed.
| Category | Fee | Typical processing time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Rs. 750 | ~30 working days | Renewing well before expiry |
| Urgent | Rs. 1,500 | ~2–3 weeks | Travel or banking within a month |
| Executive | Rs. 2,500 | ~1–2 weeks | Urgent passport, visa or legal need |
Documents you need
- Your existing CNIC, even if expired or damaged.
- A recent passport-size photograph if applying in person (the app captures this on-site during biometrics for online-started applications).
- Proof of any changed details, if you are updating your address, marital status, or name alongside the renewal, for example a marriage certificate or a utility bill for the new address.
Step-by-step: renewing through Pak-Identity
- Download the Pak-Identity app or visit id.nadra.gov.pk. Log in with your existing CNIC number and register your mobile number if you have not already.
- Select "Renew CNIC" and fill the form. Confirm your current details are correct, or flag what needs to change.
- Choose your processing tier and pay online. Normal, Urgent, or Executive, paid by debit/credit card or Raast transfer.
- Book a biometric appointment at an NRC. Most renewals still require in-person fingerprint and photo capture, even though the form itself was completed online.
- Attend the appointment and collect your receipt. Keep the tracking slip, you'll need the tracking ID for the next step.
- Track your card and collect it. Send your tracking ID to 8300 by SMS, or check status in the app. Cards are typically couriered to the address on file.
What happens if your CNIC has already expired
An expired CNIC does not become invalid instantly for every purpose, but banks, telecom operators re-verifying SIMs, and passport or visa applications will generally reject it. If yours has expired, the renewal process is identical to renewing before expiry, there is no separate penalty fee for having let it lapse, but you should not delay since biometric appointment slots can book up during peak periods.
What to do if your renewed CNIC doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe
If the stated processing time for your chosen tier has passed without your card arriving, check your tracking status first through the app or by SMS, a courier delay is more common than an actual processing problem, if tracking shows the card was dispatched but hasn't arrived, contact the courier service directly with your tracking reference before assuming NADRA made an error.
If you're renewing ahead of an upcoming need, like an upcoming passport application or travel, start the renewal process with a comfortable buffer, don't wait until you're right up against a deadline given that processing times, while generally reliable, aren't absolutely guaranteed.
Renewing simultaneously for multiple family members
If several family members need renewal around the same time, each still requires their own separate application and biometric appointment, there's no combined family renewal process, but scheduling appointments on the same day at the same NRC can save on travel time even though each application is processed individually. A related question, Driving License Apply Online, is covered in its own dedicated guide. For a closer look at this from another angle, see our guide on Register Phone with PTA.
Frequently asked questions
Not fully. You can complete the form and pay online, but biometric verification (fingerprints and a fresh photograph) still requires an in-person visit to a Registration Centre for the large majority of applicants.
Yes, a renewed CNIC is valid for ten years from the date it is issued, not from your original card's issue date.
You can combine a modification with your renewal in the same application. Bring proof of your new address (a recent utility bill or rental agreement) to the NRC appointment.
Generally your old CNIC remains usable for identification purposes during the renewal processing window unless it has already fully expired, if it's already expired and you urgently need valid ID before the renewal arrives, ask NADRA about any interim documentation options available.