The Government of Pakistan has introduced new travel guidelines for dual nationals, making it compulsory 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 sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the revised directives have been implemented at all international airports across Pakistan and apply to passengers arriving from every country, including the United Kingdom, where a large Pakistani diaspora resides.
Under the new immigration policy, dual nationals will no longer be allowed to enter Pakistan using an expired NICOP. Authorities have also clarified that travellers whose NICOP has been cancelled or revoked will be denied entry unless they obtain a valid Pakistani visa before travelling.
The updated rules effectively end the previous practice under which some overseas Pakistanis were allowed to travel despite carrying expired identity documents.
According to FIA officials, every Pakistani dual national travelling on a foreign passport must now possess one of the following documents:
- A valid NICOP, or
- A valid Pakistani visa
Passengers arriving without either document will not be permitted to enter Pakistan.
The Ministry of Interior has formally communicated the revised travel guidelines to immigration authorities nationwide, and airport immigration officials have already begun enforcing the policy.
The new regulations are intended to strengthen immigration procedures and ensure that overseas Pakistanis maintain valid travel and identity documentation before entering the country.
Officials have advised dual nationals to check the validity of their NICOP well before making travel arrangements. Those with expired or cancelled NICOPs are encouraged to renew the document through the relevant authorities or apply for a Pakistani visa to avoid travel disruptions.
The revised entry requirements are now in force across Pakistan and apply uniformly to all international arrivals, regardless of their country of departure.
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