Islamabad, June 24, 2025: In a major step to facilitate low-income and undocumented individuals, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has officially rolled out a revamped version of the non-chip CNIC—without raising its cost.
The newly updated NADRA non-chip CNIC 2024 now includes bilingual text with names and parentage printed in both Urdu and English, enhancing readability and international usability. Most notably, a QR code has replaced the traditional thumb impression, ensuring faster and more secure identity verification across platforms.
Additionally, NADRA has slashed the delivery time of these ID cards from 30 days to just 6 to 15 working days, making the process significantly quicker for applicants, especially in underserved communities. Despite these upgrades, there is no increase in the issuance fee.
For first-time applicants, the non-chip ID card in Pakistan remains completely free, reaffirming NADRA’s commitment to accessible identity services for all citizens.
These upgrades are part of NADRA’s broader digital transformation to improve identity verification processes, especially for those who cannot afford chip-based cards or face barriers in documentation.
For full application guidelines and assistance, citizens are encouraged to visit NADRA’s official website or call their helpline.
Read More: NADRA Unveils Major Revisions to ID Card, B-Form Rules
