Pakistan

Govt ends NICOP requirement for visiting expatriates

Earlier, the govt decided to undertake a couple of new initiatives to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis

Our Correspondent November 28, 2018

PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday decided to abolish the condition of carrying National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) for expatriates visiting the country.

According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the decision was taken after the recommendation of the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari. He said that the recommendation was approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan. "Now the overseas Pakistani can travel to Pakistan without visa," he added.

“The ministry takes lead in initiating and implementing prime minister's 100-day reformative agenda to ensure quick redressal of issues pertaining to expatriates and their children by achieving almost all set targets,” said Bukhari.

Earlier, the government decided to undertake a couple of new initiatives to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis. The PM announced that the government would soon unveil a special incentives package aimed at encouraging the overseas Pakistanis to transfer remittances through banking channels.

The government said the PM was fully aware of problems faced by the overseas Pakistanis in sending remittances and retaining their legal properties in Pakistan.

COMMENTS (9)

Aley Raza | 5 years ago | Reply I suggest that the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari should detail a staff of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to answer the questions raised here and remove confusion.

Aley Raza | 5 years ago | Reply This is a marvelous example of creating confusion. Govt abolished the need for having NICOP. This is a good step, The NICOP and the POC should be abolished. However it is not clear what documents should be presented by foreign passport holders at the Pakistan Immigration. I suggest that having a Pakistani CNIC should be enough proof of being a Pakistani and there should not be any need of Visa. Al Pakistanis should have a CNIC and those who don't have can get one form NADRA.

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Peer M Khan | 5 years ago | Reply It does not make sense to have overseas Pakistani 30 days visa. Most family when they visit for 90 days or six months. They should clarify It just does not make sense then you have to spend $100.00 to get Visa family of eight people. This is the other way punishing oversea's Pakistani I am sorry sir either you give six month visa upon arrival. Please consider UK gave six month upon arrival.

Majid | 5 years ago | Reply I am not sure if this will make any difference for dual national. There is no such thing on arrival visa.

AN | 5 years ago | Reply Please read the article fully -“Now the overseas Pakistani can travel to Pakistan without visa,”

Shazem | 5 years ago | Reply What if I dont have a valid Pakistani passport?

Ummeaimen | 5 years ago | Reply What if we don’t have a valid Pakistani passport and want to stay more than 30 days. What shall we do then?take a visa from the embassy for more than30 days. As the on arrival visa is only for 30 days.

Ali Asghar | 5 years ago | Reply If you have a valid Pakistani passport you can enter Pakistan without the NICOP card or Nadra Card. Also if you have a valid passport from 24 other countries including UK. You can enter without NICOP card and will get a visa on arrival for 30days. Just like in dubai :)

Fahad Wajid | 5 years ago | Reply What is the method now to show i am pakistan Nowi? I never needed a Visa. I used to show NICOP to gain entry. Does this mean i now NEED to get a visa.

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