NADRA issues advisory for first-time CNIC applicants

ISLAMABAD – The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has advised parents to ensure that their children have a new B-Form containing their photograph and fingerprints. In a statement, NADRA said that if a child's new photograph- and fingerprint-based B-Form has not been made, the child's photograph and fingerprints are not available in NADRA's records. NADRA urged parents to approach their nearest NADRA centre if they need to obtain an identity card for their child for the first time. Earlier, NADRA introduced an age-based system for the issuance of children's B-Forms, adding photographs and biometric information as part of enhanced identity verification. Under the new system, children below the age of three can receive a B-Form at birth without a photograph. The document remains valid until the child reaches three years of age. For children aged three to 10, a photograph is required on the B-Form, which remains valid until the age of 10. Children between 10 and 18 years will be required to provide enhanced biometric information, including a photograph, fingerprints and an iris scan. CNIC processing fees A new CNIC under the normal category costs Rs0 with a processing time of 15 days. The urgent service costs Rs1,150 and takes 12 days, while the executive service costs Rs2,150 with a six-day processing time. For a new Smart NIC, the normal fee is Rs750 with a 31-day processing period, while the urgent fee is Rs1,500 for 23 days and the executive fee is Rs2,500 for nine days.