Pakistan has introduced new travel requirements for dual nationals, making it mandatory for overseas Pakistanis travelling on foreign passports to carry either a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or a valid Pakistani visa before entering the country.
According to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources, the revised guidelines have been implemented at all international airports and apply to passengers arriving from every country, including the United Kingdom.
Under the new rules, dual nationals will no longer be allowed to enter Pakistan using an expired, cancelled or revoked NICOP. The directive ends the previous practice under which some travellers were permitted entry despite expired identity documents.
To enter Pakistan, dual nationals travelling on foreign passports must now possess:
– A valid NICOP, or
– A valid Pakistani visa
FIA officials said passengers arriving without either document will be denied entry.
The Ministry of Interior has formally communicated the updated policy to immigration authorities, who have begun enforcing the new requirements nationwide.
The latest directive means overseas Pakistanis should ensure their NICOP remains valid before making travel plans. Those with expired or cancelled cards will need to renew their NICOP or obtain a Pakistani visa before travelling to avoid being refused entry upon arrival.