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Have you ever wondered what is the process of becoming a citizen of Pakistan? How much does it cost? Once you get your Citizenship you can live, study and work in Pakistan. Citizenship of Pakistan prints the Application for Pakistani Nationality on the inside pages of its magazine so anyone who finds it will know where to get more information.
Laws and Rules which mainly govern the Policy and Procedures pertaining to Immigration are:
- Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951. (PCA 1951)
- Naturalization Act 1926. (NA 1926)
- Pakistan citizenship Rules 1952. (PCR 1952)
Citizenship of Pakistan
There are three categories of declared citizens of Pakistan including citizens by birth, by descent, and by migration, which are briefly mentioned below. (Please see relevant sections of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 for details).
1. Citizen by Birth:
Persons who or any of their parents or grandparents were born in the territories now included in Pakistan before the commencement of the Citizenship Act, 1951 are citizens of Pakistan.
Any person born in Pakistan after the commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, of 1951 is a citizen of Pakistan. Children of foreign diplomats and children of enemy alien born in Pakistan are not included in this category. Persons, who migrated from territories of Pakistan to other areas of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent for a permanent stay after March 1947 shall also be not considered citizens of Pakistan.
2. Citizen by Descent:
Children of Pakistanis who are born outside of Pakistan are citizens of descent. If the parent of such a child is a citizen by descent himself/herself (as born outside of Pakistan) the child is required to be registered in the nearest consulate or Pakistani mission.
Children born to Pakistani mothers and foreign national fathers, after 18.04.2000, are treated as citizens of Pakistan.
3. Citizen by Migration:
The persons who migrated to Pakistan from the territories in the indo-Pakistan subcontinent before the commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 are declared citizens of Pakistan.
Grant of Citizenship
Persons who can acquire citizenship of Pakistan after applying in a prescribed manner are mentioned as under:-
(Type of Application Form and a list of documents required for submission of such application are provided under each category of entitled persons.) A brief description of the processing of the application is also given below.
A: Categories:
- Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals.
- Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer Rs.5/- Million worth of Foreign Exchange.
- Persons holding Naturalization Certificate issued under the Naturalization Act, 1926 (Sec. 9 of PCA 1951).
- Minor Children (below 21 years of Age) of Pakistan Citizen.
B: Processing of Application for Citizenship.
A: Categories:
1. Foreign Ladies Married to Pakistani Nationals: Section 10(2) of Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951
(Following documents are required other than those mentioned in the form.)
- Prescribed application form ‘F’ (in quadruplicate)
- An affidavit on Rs.20/- non-judicial stamp paper from the applicant regarding/mentioning detailed facts of the case, duly attested by a notary public or magistrate.
- A similar affidavit from the husband on Rs.20/- non-judicial stamp paper.
- An Affidavit duly supported by documentary evidence about her aggregate stay in Pakistan for a period of 05 years.
- Photostat copies of relevant pages of applicant’s foreign passport.
- Photostat copy of residential permit/visa.
- Photocopy of the marriage certificate.
- Photostat copy of domicile certificate of the applicant (in case of applicant is other than Commonwealth Citizen).
- List of close-relations residing(in case of Indian national females).
- Photostat copies of Pakistan Citizenship Certificate or any other evidence establishing the husband’s citizenship of Pakistan.
- 10 color photographs with light blue background size 2X1 1/2. One attested on front and one on back by notary public/magistrate.
- Photostat copies of the relevant pages of the Pakistani passport or national identity card of the husband.
- Note: All of above mentioned documents may be attested by notary public/magistrate except the photographs which have to be attested in a specified manner.
- Bank challan of prescribed amounts Rs.200/-.
- Oath of allegiance taken before 1st Class Magistrate (in case the applicant is a citizen other than Commonwealth countries).
- Two certificates from two different gazetted Government Officers confirming the date national status of the applicant’s husband. Such certificates must also indicate the date and place of birth of the applicant’s husband and his income.
- Applications form can either be submitted to Directorate General Immigration & Passports Islamabad or to the Federal Government (i.e. Ministry of Interior).
2. Commonwealth Citizens who Transfer PKR 5 Million worth of Foreign Exchange: Section 20 of PCA 1951
(Following documents are required other than those mentioned in the form)
- Application on Form ‘R’ duly attested by the mission (in quadruplicate) is to be submitted to the Directorate General Immigration & Passports, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, through Pakistan’s mission abroad.
- Five Photographs with blue background.
- Original Bank Proceeds Certificate regarding transfer of PKR 05 Million to Pakistan through normal banking channel.
- Photocopy of present Passport.
- Fee of Rs.200/- (Rs.800/- for Indian National). After confirmation from State Bank, of the bank transaction of Rs.05/- Million, Immigrant Visa for Pakistan is issued. Pakistan Citizenship certificate is granted after arrival in Pakistan.
3. Persons holding Naturalization Certificate issued under the Naturalization Act, 1926 (Section 9 of PCA 1951)
(Following documents are required other than those mentioned in the form.)
- Application on Form ‘E’ duly attested by notary public/magistrate (in quadruplicate) to be submitted in Directorate General of Immigration & Passports or Federal Government (i.e. Ministry of Interior).
- Certificate of Naturalization under NA 1926.
- Certificate that applicant has taken the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan within prescribed period under Section 6 of NA 1926.
- Fee amounting to Rs.400/-.
- Affidavit on Rs.20/- Stamp Paper regarding/mentioning facts of the case.
- Six color Photographs with the light-blue background.
4. Minor Children (below 21 years of Age) of Pakistan Citizen:
(Following documents are required other than those mentioned in the form.)
- Application on Form ‘M’ (in quadruplicate) from Pakistani Parents/Guardians.
- Four photographs.
- Affidavit from Pakistani Parents/Guardians regarding the fact of the case.
- Documentary evidence proving the national status of Parents/Guardians as citizens of Pakistan.
- Fee of Rs.200.
- Application form can either be submitted direct to Directorate General Immigration & Passports Islamabad or its RPOs at Lahore & Karachi or to the Federal Government (i.e. Ministry of Interior).
B: Processing of Application for Citizenship
Following are the steps of processing the application.
- Availability of Application Forms.
- Submission of Application.
- Further Official Process.
- Issuance of Citizenship Certificate.
1. Availability of Application Forms:
Application forms can be obtained from the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (Dte. Gen. I&P), Islamabad and its Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) at Provincial Headquarters. You can also Download Forms.
2. Submission of Application:
You can submit Applications pertaining to foreign ladies married to Pakistan nationals at Directorate General of Immigration and Passports its Regional Passport Offices at Provincial Headquarters, and Home Departments of concerned Provincial Government.
3. Further Official Process:
After submission of the application, it shall be examined and the applicant shall be informed if some documents are missing or if there is any other discrepancy in the application.
Applicants are advised to ensure that applications are complete in all respect and all required documents are attached. After approval of the formal submission of the application, a receipt/certificate shall be issued to the applicant. The application shall be referred to concerned departments for verification. Application to other concerned departments shall be sent only after completion of the required aggregate stay in Pakistan, where applicable.
4. Issuance of Citizenship Certificate:
After the official process and approval of the competent authority, the Citizenship certificate has to be issued through concerned RPOs or Directorate General of Immigration & Passports.
NOTE: Applicants are advised to get their foreign passports renewed from concerned authorities and get their visas/extensions renewed until receipt of the Pakistan Citizenship Certificate.
Registration Requirement for Overseas Pakistanis:
(i) Registration of Birth of a Child of Citizen of Pakistan Born in Country Outside Pakistan:
The birth of such children may be reported by the parents or guardians on Form S concerning Pakistan’s Mission abroad within a period of six months.
(ii) Annual Registration by a Citizen of Pakistan Resident Abroad:
Citizens of Pakistan are required to get themselves registered in the quarter of every year with Pakistan Mission abroad annually.
Dual Nationality
- The government of Pakistan has dual nationality arrangements with the following 20 countries.
| Sr.# | Name of Country |
| 1 | United Kingdom |
| 2 | France |
| 3 | Italy |
| 4 | Belgium |
| 5 | Iceland |
| 6 | Australia |
| 7 | New Zealand |
| 8 | Canada |
| 9 | Finland |
| 10 | Egypt |
| 11 | Jordan |
| 12 | Syria |
| 13 | Switzerland |
| 14 | Netherland |
| 15 | United States of America |
| 16 | Sweden |
| 17 | Ireland |
| 18 | Bahrain |
| 19 | Denmark |
| 20 | Germany* |
* Children of Pakistani parents who have grown up in Germany and who have due to their birth in Germany acquired German nationality in addition to their parent’s nationality from the other state.
Renunciation of Pakistan Citizenship
- Any citizen of Pakistan residing outside Pakistan, who is not a minor and is also a citizen or national of another country or has been given by the competent authority of another country any valid document assuring him/her citizenship or nationality of that other country, shall make a declaration of renunciation of citizenship on form “X” in triplicate to the Directorate General Immigration & Passports Islamabad through Pakistan Mission abroad.
- The person concerned will cease to be a citizen of Pakistan from the date of registration of his renunciation by Directorate General Immigration & Passports Islamabad.
- Where a male person ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan:
- Every such minor child of that person as is residing outside Pakistan shall, thereupon, ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan provided any such child may, within one year of his completing the age of 21 years, makes a declaration that he wishes to resume the citizenship of Pakistan and shall upon making of such declaration becomes a citizen of Pakistan.
- Every such minor of that person as is residing in Pakistan shall continue to be a citizen of Pakistan.
- The fee for renunciation of citizenship is Rs.500/-.
- Further Steps of Renunciation of Citizenship are as follows.
1. Availability of Application Form “X”:
Application form “X” can be obtained from the concerned Pakistan Mission abroad. You can also download it from the download section.
2. Processing of Application for Renunciation:
After being received at this Directorate General, your application shall be referred to the concerned department for clearance and after such clearance renunciation certificate shall be prepared and dispatched to the concerned foreign mission. Applicants are requested to submit their applications after carefully enclosing all required documents particularly original CNIC, Photocopies of Passports, and assurance letters issued by the concerned Foreign Government granting him/her their citizenship. Please mention the name of only those children in form “X” who are residing with you in a foreign country. Also, enclose copies of those children’s Birth Certificates/NICOP/Pakistan Passports.
If your application is complete in all respects delivery of the renunciation certificate to you may take four weeks. However incomplete applications, non-availability of CNIC, or lack of supporting documents regarding children whose names are mentioned in Form “X” may cause a delay in the finalization of your case. You may check the status of your application by sending an email to: immigration@dgip.gov.pk after three months of submission of your application.
Download:
Citizenship Form:
- Application for a Certificate of Citizenship of Pakistan at the Commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951) – FORM “A”
- Application for a certificate of naturalization under the Naturalization Act, 1926 – FORM “A”
- Application for a Certificate of Citizenship of Pakistan at the Commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951) – FORM “B”
- Application for Citizenship of Pakistan from a person born in Pakistan, who had migrated to India after 1st March 1947 has returned to it under a permit for resettlement or permanent return – FORM “C”
- Application for Registration as a Citizen of Pakistan by a person of Indo-Pakistan origin residing abroad – FORM “D”
- Application for a Certificate of Registration as Citizen of Pakistan by Naturalization – FORM “E”
- Application for a Certificate of Citizenship of Pakistan from a person of former East Pakistan domicile residing in Pakistan, or in a foreign country – FORM “E-1”
- Application for a certificate of citizenship of Pakistan from a person domiciled in the territories which before the 16th day of December 1971 constituted the Province of East Pakistan but residing on that day or on 18th March 1978 in a country beyond those territories under the protection of a Pakistan passport – FORM “E-3”
- Grant of Pakistan Citizenship Certificate to a woman on the foundation of her Marriage to a Pakistan National – FORM “F”
- Application for Registration of a Minor as a Citizen of Pakistan – FORM “M” Application for a Certificate of Domicile in Pakistan – FORM “P”
- Application for a Certificate of Citizenship from a person whose citizenship is in doubt – FORM “Q”
- Application for Registration as a Citizen of Pakistan by a British subject (Or Commonwealth Citizen) – FORM “R”
- Application for Registration of birth of a child of a Citizen of Pakistan born in a country outside Pakistan – FORM “S”
- Form of statement for annual registration by a Citizen of Pakistan resident abroad – FORM “T”
- Application for copy of [Citizenship or domicile certificate] or its Replacement with changed particulars – FORM “V”
- Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship under Section 14-A of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 – FORM “X”
- Declaration of intention to resume Pakistan citizenship under section 14-A of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 – FORM “Y”
Contact
Kindly provide the following information while making any query specifically for the Renunciation of Citizenship Cases after its initiation from the concerned Pakistani Foreign Mission.
- Applicant Name with Father/Guardian name.
- Case No. issued by Pakistan Mission abroad & date.
- Name of City/Foreign Mission; where a case has been initiated.
- Name of Country; where a case has been initiated.
- CNIC/NICOP Number
- Passport No. (if applicable).
- immigration@dgip.gov.pk
Guide Lines
- The renunciation certificates in those cases have not yet been issued and replies are awaited from missions regarding providing missing documents/information. The reminders in all these cases have been issued and concerned missions are requested to expedite replies, so these cases may be finalized. Missions are requested to ensure that the CNIC and passport of an applicant are enclosed with each case at the time of its forwarding to this department. If they don’t have it, first they get the NICOP/CNIC from NADRA and after that apply for the same.
- Further guidelines for forwarding the cases after ensuring that such cases are complete in all aspects are provided as under:-
- Please examine all cases and ensure that all required documents are enclosed with each case as per the attached list of required documents.
- CNIC/NICOP of the applicant in original required to be enclosed with the case. Please ensure that CNIC/NICOP is provided with each case.
- When an applicant is not in possession of CNIC/NICOP, he/she may produce evidence that under what provision of law, the applicant is a citizen of Pakistan.
- Please note that children under the age of 21 years are not authorized to independently renounce their nationality under section 14-A Pakistan Renunciation Act 1951. Therefore, the separate cases for renunciation of nationality regarding minor children may not be forwarded. The applicant may be guided that when a male person renounces his nationality all his minor children who are residing with him in a foreign country cease to be Pakistani. This renunciation shall not affect the children of the applicant residing in Pakistan and they remain, citizens of Pakistan until they reach the age of 21 years.
- Where applicants specifically require the inclusion of names of minor children residing in a foreign country he may be asked to mention these children in Form” X”. In this case, RG-II/ Birth Certificate/NICOP/Form “S” may be provided as evidence of minor children being citizens of Pakistan. Minor children residing in Pakistan should not be included in form” X”.
- Names of the children may not be included in the form “X” of the female applicant (i.e. mother), as the names of the children are not included in the Renunciation Certificate issued to female applicants.
- The required photograph may be attached with the case carefully and maybe stapled properly so these are not detached or displaced causing a delay in the processing of the case.
- It has been observed that certain missions write the same case number on all forwarded cases (which seems to be a file number) making it difficult for this office to track/trace an individual case with the help of a case number. It is suggested that a separate tracking number or a serial number given to each individual case may be mentioned on that case so tracking/tracing of the case may be easy.
- The email address of the applicant (if available) may be included in the forwarding letter so this department may also contact the applicant directly if some information/documents are needed.
- The applicants may please be provided with the email address of this department ( immigration@dgip.gov.pk) so they may contact them to check the status of their applications.
- On filling out the application, the Missions may immediately forward the case to the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, so that the cases may be finalized in stipulated time.
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Delivery of Renunciation Certificate and cancellation of Pakistani Passport.
- Applicants are not required to submit their original Pakistani Passport at the time of submission of their case for renunciation. Such passports are required to be submitted at the time of delivery of the Renunciation Certificate. However, sometimes applicant’s passports or his previous passports are sent with the case concerning missions.
- Please ensure that each and every page of such passports are stamped with the word “CANCELLED”.
- After delivery of the Renunciation Certificate, the original passport may be obtained and forwarded to this Department after canceling each and every page of these passports including pages containing visas.