Your CNIC expired last month. You did not notice. Then your mobile stopped working, or the bank asked for a fresh copy of your card. Millions of people in Pakistan find out their identity card has run out this way.
The good news is that renewal is simple. It costs less than most people think. And in 2026 the rules changed in your favour if you are over 60. Here is what the law says, what it costs, and how to do it.
What the law says about CNIC renewal
The Computerised National Identity Card is issued under the NADRA Ordinance 2000. The NADRA (NIC) Rules 2002 set the rules for issuance, verification, renewal, correction and cancellation of the card.
Every adult citizen has to hold a valid CNIC and keep it valid. NADRA's own Services Charter says you must apply for renewal within one month after the expiry date printed on the card.
NADRA issues the card for a fixed validity period. For most adults that period is ten years. The expiry date is printed on the front of the card, next to your photo.
What happens if you do not renew
An expired CNIC is not a quiet problem. Services linked to your identity get affected. Bank accounts, mobile SIMs, and other verification based services can be suspended.
In April 2026 NADRA warned citizens about this directly. The authority said people with expired cards may not be able to use welfare programmes like the Benazir Income Support Programme, government subsidies, or even complete property and vehicle transfers.
The numbers are big. NADRA said 27.475 million national identity cards had expired and not been renewed. On top of that, 2.309 million overseas cards, 11.65 million child registration certificates and 0.229 million juvenile cards had also lapsed.
The telecom regulator stepped in too. On 8 April 2026 the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority warned that SIMs registered against expired CNICs, or CNICs of deceased people, may be blocked at any time. Over 8.1 million SIMs were active against around 4.5 million cards that needed renewal. More than 223,000 of those cards had been expired for over ten years.
NADRA also said the law gives it the power to charge extra fees or penalties for late renewal. It has not done so yet, out of consideration for public convenience. But it warned that if renewal numbers do not improve, penalties may be imposed in the next fiscal year, after June.
How much does CNIC renewal cost in Pakistan
The fee depends on how fast you want the card. NADRA's fee structure lists three priorities:
- Normal: Rs 400, delivery in around 15 days
- Urgent: Rs 1,150, delivery in around 12 days
- Executive: Rs 2,150, delivery in around 6 days
A first CNIC for someone who just turned 18 is free under the normal priority.
How to renew your CNIC online in Pakistan
You have three options. A NADRA registration centre, the PakID mobile app, or a NADRA e-Sahulat franchise.
The PakID app is the easiest for most people. It is NADRA's official app. You can renew without visiting a centre.
Here are the steps:
- Download PakID from the official app store and log in with your CNIC and mobile number.
- Select the CNIC renewal option.
- Verify your identity with your fingerprint or iris scan.
- Pay the fee online by card, Easypaisa, or at an e-Sahulat franchise with your tracking ID.
- Track your application. NADRA sends updates by SMS to your registered mobile number.
One practical note. If your biometrics in the database are old, the system may ask you to visit a NADRA centre once for a fresh fingerprint. That is normal, not a problem.
What changed in the 2026 rules
In February 2026 the federal government amended the NIC and POC rules through S.R.O. 330(I)/2026 and S.R.O. 331(I)/2026, published in the Gazette on 24 February 2026.
The card now carries a QR code. This is a machine readable code that lets any official verify your identity instantly, offline or online. A uniform card format replaces the older chip and non chip versions.
Fraud controls got stronger too. If your card is suspended, every verification and authentication service linked to it stops automatically. Fingerprints and iris scans are now formally recognised as verification methods.
The biggest change is for older citizens. People aged 60 and above, including overseas Pakistanis, now get a lifetime validity card with a senior citizen logo. No more renewals for them.
What it means for you
Check the expiry date on your card today. If it is close, renew early. If it has already expired, you are still within the one month window under the Services Charter. Do it now rather than waiting for the penalty that NADRA has warned about.
Keep your SIMs safe. Transfer SIMs registered in the name of a deceased relative to your own CNIC. Keep your bank account and subsidy access alive. Renewal takes minutes on the PakID app and the card arrives by courier.
NADRA documents connect to many parts of your legal life. If you have children, read how the B-Form works for kids under 18. If you married recently, see how to get a marriage certificate from NADRA. And if a nikah was not registered, find out why nikah registration matters. More guides live on the Lexiber blog and the home page.
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