Pakistan k1 visa holders, I have a question regarding NICOP

[quesma 10]

Hi friends who got k1 visa approved. I want to know if getting a NICOP (National ID Card for overseas Pakistanis) is mandatory before travelling to US? I just got my visa and making travel plans, not sure if I must get NICOP from here first before traveling. Is it mandatory before I travel?

Thanks.

[karachiite 4]

Hi friends who got k1 visa approved. I want to know if getting a NICOP (National ID Card for overseas Pakistanis) is mandatory before travelling to US? I just got my visa and making travel plans, not sure if I must get NICOP from here first before traveling. Is it mandatory before I travel?

Thanks.

No ,its not necessary, it has no value in USA.

If you want you can get it, Pakistani born US nationals usually use it ,when they go Pakistan on US passport ,they donot need to pay visa fee.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Progress to Asia: South Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

Edited February 25, 2016 by Pitaya

[umar.sd 6]

Hi friends who got k1 visa approved. I want to know if getting a NICOP (National ID Card for overseas Pakistanis) is mandatory before travelling to US? I just got my visa and making travel plans, not sure if I must get NICOP from here first before traveling. Is it mandatory before I travel?

Thanks.

Not at all. NICOP is for people who got citizenship. As your friend is still a Pakistani Citizen, and will get a green card and will hold until three/five years. After becoming a citizen he/she needs NICOP to travel back to Pakistan.

[karachiite 4]

Even if you are green card holder you get , NICOP, its just another name for ID for overseas Pakistanis, with green card or US citizenship.(Pakistan born)

Edited February 26, 2016 by karachiite

[umar.sd 6]

Even if you are green card holder you get , NICOP, its just another name for ID for overseas Pakistanis, with green card or US citizenship.(Pakistan born)

yeah but it's not required, you can use CNIC, why waste 120$ dollars on NICOP when you can use CNIC(15$) until it's required.

[grad_student 11]

Not at all. NICOP is for people who got citizenship. As your friend is still a Pakistani Citizen, and will get a green card and will hold until three/five years. After becoming a citizen he/she needs NICOP to travel back to Pakistan.

This is my understanding about NICOP and Pakistani Passport. Correct me if I am wrong. After you become US Citizen and have US passport, you either need NICOP or Pakistani Passport to enter Pakistan without a visa. Either NICOP or Pakistani Passport will do. If you have neither of these valid at the time of entering Pakistan, you woule need a visa for Pakistan on yout US Passport.

[umar.sd 6]

This is my understanding about NICOP and Pakistani Passport. Correct me if I am wrong. After you become US Citizen and have US passport, you either need NICOP or Pakistani Passport to enter Pakistan without a visa. Either NICOP or Pakistani Passport will do. If you have neither of these valid at the time of entering Pakistan, you woule need a visa for Pakistan on yout US Passport.

I am not sure but I think after becoming US citizen, your Pakistani Passport is no longer valid, you travel using your US passport I think they take over your Pakistani passport on oath ceremony. So your only ID is your NICOP. And if you don't have NICOP then you need a visa.

[karachiite 4]

This is my understanding about NICOP and Pakistani Passport. Correct me if I am wrong. After you become US Citizen and have US passport, you either need NICOP or Pakistani Passport to enter Pakistan without a visa. Either NICOP or Pakistani Passport will do. If you have neither of these valid at the time of entering Pakistan, you woule need a visa for Pakistan on yout US Passport.

yes you need either Pakistani Valid Passport or NICOP to enter Pakistan without visa, and even after becoming US citizen, you can keep your Pakistani Passport, nobody takes your Pakistani passport at oath ceremony, USA does not care if somebody keeps dual nationality, nor does Pakistan mind it, unless you are running for senate or national assembly.

As for why waste money ( $120) on NICOP , absolutely, do not even need to waste $15 on CNIC, you will not need it in USA at all.

[grad_student 11]

yes you need either Pakistani Valid Passport or NICOP to enter Pakistan without visa, and even after becoming US citizen, you can keep your Pakistani Passport, nobody takes your Pakistani passport at oath ceremony, USA does not care if somebody keeps dual nationality, nor does Pakistan mind it, unless you are running for senate or national assembly.

As for why waste money ( $120) on NICOP , absolutely, do not even need to waste $15 on CNIC, you will not need it in USA at all.

I didnt know NICOP costs that much. I would rather renew my passport instead. Pakistani govt. has started to issue passports that a valid for 10 years for about 2 years. Cost is very reasonable if you apply from within Pakistan.

http://www.dgip.gov.pk/Files/Ordinary%20Passport.aspx

You can also renew MRP Pakistani passport while in USA, but you have to travel either to NYC or LA (i think). Renewal cost me about $50 at NYC plus a return envelope that cost $20. I would presonally prefer to renew Pakistani passport than getting NICOP.

[karachiite 4]

Houston, TX also has Pakistani consulate, Passport renewal or NICOP and what not can be done there too.

(depends which city you live)

Edited February 29, 2016 by karachiite

[grad_student 11]

Oh ok. Good to know that. Thanks for the info.

[pm5k 129]

On February 27, 2016 at 0:06 PM, umar.sd said:

I am not sure but I think after becoming US citizen, your Pakistani Passport is no longer valid, you travel using your US passport I think they take over your Pakistani passport on oath ceremony. So your only ID is your NICOP. And if you don't have NICOP then you need a visa.

 

This is false.  Pakistan allows dual citizenship, and the US does not force people to renounce their old citizenship.  A Pakistani becoming a US citizen is still a Pakistani citizen as well, unless he/she formally renounces.

 

A NICOP card is proof of Pakistani citizenship, and can be used to obtain a Pakistani passport (I know someone who needed a Pakistani passport for something, and he used his NICOP to make it).  

 

Also, there are people who keep both passports and leave/enter the US on US passport, and leave/enter Pakistan with their Pakistani passports (carry both with them when traveling).