NADRA CNIC Fee 2026: Normal, Urgent and Executive Rates

Knowing the NADRA CNIC fee before you visit a registration centre saves you time, money and frustration. Whether you are applying for your first identity card, renewing an expired one, or replacing a lost card, the NADRA CNIC fee depends on two things: the type of card you want and how fast you need it. This guide lays out the complete NADRA CNIC fee structure for 2026, including normal, urgent and executive rates for both the standard CNIC and the chip-based Smart NIC.

NADRA CNIC Fee: Standard Card Rates 2026

For the ordinary Computerised National Identity Card, the NADRA CNIC fee starts with good news: your first-ever CNIC, issued when you turn 18, is completely free under normal processing. For renewals, modifications and duplicates, the NADRA CNIC fee is Rs 400 for normal processing (up to 15 days), Rs 1,150 for urgent processing (around 12 days) and Rs 2,150 for executive processing (around 6 days). The NADRA CNIC fee is the same whether you apply at a NADRA Registration Centre or through the Pak-ID app, so choose whichever channel is more convenient.

Service	Normal (15 days)	Urgent (12 days)	Executive (6 days)
New CNIC (first time)	Free	Rs 1,150	Rs 2,150
CNIC renewal	Rs 400	Rs 1,150	Rs 2,150
CNIC modification	Rs 400	Rs 1,150	Rs 2,150
Duplicate CNIC (lost/damaged)	Rs 400	Rs 1,150	Rs 2,150

Smart NIC Fee 2026: Chip-Based Card Rates

The Smart National Identity Card carries a higher NADRA CNIC fee because of its embedded chip and enhanced security features. The Smart NIC fee is Rs 750 for normal processing (up to 31 days), Rs 1,500 for urgent processing (around 23 days) and Rs 2,500 for executive processing (around 9 days). Note that the Smart NIC takes noticeably longer to produce than the standard card, so factor the longer timeline into your plans if you need the card for a visa application or bank account opening. If you only need to update a non-printable field stored in the chip, the fee is just Rs 100 and no new physical card is printed.

How to Pay the NADRA CNIC Fee

You can pay the These rates in several ways. At a NADRA Registration Centre, cash and debit or credit cards are accepted at the counter. If you apply online through the Pak-Identity portal or the Pak-ID app, you pay by card during the application. E-Sahulat franchises across the country also accept NADRA fee payments, and mobile wallets such as JazzCash and Easypaisa increasingly support government fee payments. Home delivery of your card adds approximately Rs 165 to the total. Keep your fee receipt safe — it carries the tracking ID you will need to check your application status by sending an SMS to 8400 or visiting NADRA’s tracking portal.

Which Processing Category Should You Choose?

Choosing between normal, urgent and executive comes down to how soon you need the card. If your passport appointment or job joining is more than a month away, normal processing at the lowest The CNIC fee is the sensible choice. If a bank, employer or university is waiting on your renewed card, urgent processing is worth the extra cost. Reserve executive processing for genuine time pressure such as a flight, a visa interview or a court deadline. Remember that processing timelines start from the date your fee is paid and your application is complete, not from the day you first visited the centre — and NADRA’s published timelines are maximums, so many cards arrive earlier.

For the complete step-by-step application process, see our NADRA CNIC guide: fee, renewal process and tracking. If you need your CNIC details for a welfare application, read our Ehsaas Program 2026 registration and 8171 check guide.

NADRA’s charges for Overseas Pakistanis

Overseas Pakistanis applying for a NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) pay in US dollars under a zone-based system. For Zone A countries such as the USA, UK, Canada and Europe, the fee is $39 for normal, $57 for urgent and $75 for executive processing. For Zone B countries including the Gulf states, the fee is lower at $20 normal, $30 urgent and $40 executive. The same normal, urgent and executive timelines apply. Applications can be submitted through NADRA’s online portal or at NADRA centres and embassies abroad, and delivery charges vary by country. If you are an overseas Pakistani planning a trip home, applying online well before your travel date avoids paying executive rates unnecessarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the first CNIC really free? Yes. Your first-ever standard CNIC is issued free of cost under normal processing when you apply after turning 18. Urgent and executive tracks still carry a fee.

How can I track my CNIC application? Use the tracking ID on your fee receipt: send it by SMS to 8400 or enter it on NADRA’s online tracking portal to see whether your card is under process, printing, dispatched or delivered.

Can I renew my CNIC online? Yes. The Pak-Identity portal and Pak-ID app accept renewal, modification and duplicate applications for both the standard CNIC and Smart NIC, with the same official fee structure as walk-in centres.

What documents do I need for renewal? Your old or expired CNIC, and for modifications, supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or updated family registration certificate. Biometrics and a fresh photograph are captured at the centre or via the app.

Fee figures in this article reflect NADRA’s published 2026 schedule (verified October 2026); NADRA revises its rates from time to time, so confirm the current The fee at your centre or on nadra.gov.pk before paying. Independent fee summaries are published by Identity Services Pakistan and ePave’s NADRA fee guide.