CNIC renewal is available through online pre-registration at id.nadra.gov.pk followed by a single counter visit for biometric re-verification — pre-registration is not mandatory but significantly reduces time spent at the NADRA office.
Check Your CNIC Expiry Date
Your CNIC's expiry date is printed on the back of the card in the format DD/MM/YYYY. Check it now — don't wait until a bank, hospital, or government office rejects your expired CNIC during an important transaction. CNICs issued after 2018 are valid for 10 years; older ones for 5 years.
NADRA recommends starting the renewal process at least 3 months before expiry. An expired CNIC can still be used for NADRA renewal itself, but it's rejected for most other official purposes — SIM registration, voter verification, BISP payments, passport applications, and bank KYC all require a valid (not expired) CNIC.
Start Renewal Online or at NADRA
Online pre-registration: Go to nadra.gov.pk → Online Services → CNIC Renewal. Enter your existing CNIC number and fill in the updated information (address, if changed). Select your processing category and preferred office for biometric capture. Submit. You receive a booking reference number and appointment slot.
Walk-in renewal: Visit any NADRA Facilitation Centre or Sahulat Centre. Bring your current CNIC (expired is fine for this step), one passport-size photo, and a utility bill or Union Council certificate if your address has changed since the last CNIC. Take a token and wait.
Complete Biometric Update at the Counter
Whether you pre-registered online or walked in, you complete the renewal at the NADRA counter. The officer verifies your existing CNIC, captures fresh biometric data (fingerprints, photo, iris scan), and updates your record. If your address or other details have changed, provide the updated documents now.
Pay the renewal fee at the cashier:
- Normal processing (15–30 days): Rs. 300
- Urgent (7 days): Rs. 500
- Executive (3 days): Rs. 1,000
You receive a receipt with a tracking ID. Your old CNIC remains legally valid until the new one is issued — so don't throw it away until you've the replacement in hand.
Track and Collect Your Renewed CNIC
Track your renewal at nadra.gov.pk using the tracking ID from your receipt, or send the tracking ID via SMS to 7000. Status updates arrive by SMS to your registered mobile number as the CNIC moves through printing and delivery.
When marked "Ready for Collection" or "Dispatched," either collect from the NADRA office you chose during application or wait for home delivery if you selected that option. The new CNIC number is the same 13-digit number — only the validity period is extended and the issue date changes.
Common NADRA Application Problems
This occasionally happens when biometric data degrades with age or injury. The NADRA officer can try alternative fingerprints or escalate to manual identity verification using witnesses or additional documents.
Call 051-111-786-100 with tracking ID. If marked 'Dispatched' but not received, the courier may have failed delivery — the CNIC is held at the courier office for 7 days before returning to NADRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your expired CNIC is legally invalid for most transactions once expired. However, having a renewal receipt/tracking ID shows you've initiated the process — many organisations accept this temporarily. BISP payments and bank transactions typically require the valid card itself.
No — your 13-digit CNIC number is permanent and never changes. Only the issue date, expiry date, and any updated personal details change on renewal.
Yes — bring a utility bill or Union Council certificate showing the new address. Address updates are processed during the renewal at no extra charge.