This article explains public information. It does not determine eligibility or replace an official notice.
NADRA offices at a glance
Everything you need before leaving home, in one table. The sections below explain each point.
| Question | Answer (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| How do I find the nearest centre? | Search Google Maps for "NADRA Registration Centre", then call 1777 |
| Which office types exist? | Registration Centres, Mega Centres and Mobile Registration Vans |
| What are the timings? | They vary by centre type; NADRA's latest regular notice took effect on 24 March 2026 |
| Helpline | 1777 from mobiles, +92 51 111 786 100 from landlines or abroad |
| Smart NIC fee | Rs 750 normal, Rs 1,500 urgent, Rs 2,500 executive |
| Can I skip the visit? | Often: renew a CNIC online in the Pak Identity app |
What can you do at a NADRA office?
A NADRA office, formally a NADRA Registration Centre, is where the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) takes fingerprints, photographs and documents for identity applications. NADRA runs more than 963 offices inside Pakistan, spread across big cities and tehsil towns.
Work that needs fresh biometrics, such as fingerprints and a photo, usually needs an in-person visit. Typical counter services are listed below.
A NADRA office is not a BISP office. NADRA issues and updates identity documents, while BISP tehsil offices run the free NSER household survey and Benazir Kafaalat enrolment. Families who need both should fix the CNIC or B-Form at NADRA first, then visit BISP.
- First CNIC at 18, and Smart NIC renewal, modification or duplicate
- B-Form (Child Registration Certificate) for children
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC)
- NICOP for overseas Pakistanis
Which type of NADRA office should you visit?
Choose the office type by how urgent your case is and when you can travel. Regular Registration Centres cover most needs, Mega Centres in large cities stay open longer, and Mobile Registration Vans reach areas without a fixed centre.
| Office type | Best for | Hours pattern | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) | Most CNIC, B-Form and FRC work | Day shift, five or six days a week; some run two shifts | Morning queues; check whether it opens on Saturday |
| NADRA Mega Centre | Urgent and executive cases, after-work visits | Morning plus evening or night shifts in big cities | Busy late at night too; not every city has one |
| Mobile Registration Van (MRV) | Remote areas and special registration drives | Published visit schedule | Fixed dates only; check the MRV schedule on nadra.gov.pk |
| Pak Identity (online) | Renewals, some modifications and tracking from home | Any time | Needs a smartphone and internet; some cases still need a visit |
How do I find the NADRA office near me?
The fastest way to find your nearest NADRA office is a map search confirmed by a phone call. The method is the same in Lahore or Karachi as in smaller towns such as Okara or Haveli Lakha.
Map listings are edited by users, so treat their hours as a guide. NADRA's helpline and its official social media pages carry the authoritative timing notices.
In Lahore, for example, zarea.com's September 2026 guide lists NADRA Mega Centres on Egerton Road, Peco Road and Sanda Road. A smaller town may have only one centre, which makes the phone check before travelling even more important.
- Step 1: Turn on location and search Google Maps for "NADRA Registration Centre" or "NADRA Mega Centre".
- Step 2: Open the nearest result and note its listed hours, phone number and address.
- Step 3: Call the NADRA helpline on 1777 to confirm the centre is working today and handles your service.
- Step 4: If no centre is nearby, check the Mobile Registration Van schedule on nadra.gov.pk.
- Step 5: Arrive early with original documents, because the token you receive sets your place in the queue.
Mobile Registration Vans for remote areas
NADRA's Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) take registration counters to villages and special drives, and NADRA publishes their timetable under MRV Schedule on nadra.gov.pk. Each van stays at a location only on its scheduled dates, so note the date and bring every document on the first visit.
What are NADRA office timings in 2026?
There is no single NADRA timing. Each centre runs one of several schedule types: five-day single shift, six-day single shift or double shift, and Mega Centres add evening or night shifts. NADRA announces changes for Ramadan, winter and holidays, and its latest regular timings notice took effect on 24 March 2026.
The Ramadan 2026 schedule below, published by NADRA in February 2026, shows how the centre types differ. It is an example of the pattern rather than today's hours, so confirm your own centre before travelling.
Outside Ramadan, regular hours run longer. NADRA's winter notice for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in November 2025, for example, set five-day offices at Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and six-day offices at Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 3:00pm.
| Centre type | Monday to Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-day, single shift | 8:00am to 2:00pm | 8:00am to 12:30pm | Closed |
| Six-day, single shift | 8:00am to 1:00pm | 8:00am to 12:30pm | 8:00am to 1:00pm |
| Double shift | 8:00am to 1:00pm and 12:30pm to 5:00pm | 8:00am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm | 8:00am to 1:00pm and 12:30pm to 5:00pm |
| Mega Centre | 8:00am to 12:30pm and 9:30pm to 2:30am | 8:00am to 12:30pm and 9:30pm to 2:30am | 8:00am to 12:30pm and 9:30pm to 2:30am |
Is NADRA open on weekends or 24 hours?
Weekend and late-night service depends on the type of centre, not on the city. The helpline is always available, but counters follow their own shifts.
Is NADRA open on Saturday and Sunday?
Saturday depends on the centre. Six-day and double-shift centres open on Saturday, while five-day centres close on both weekend days. Sunday service is generally limited to Mega Centres that run all-week shifts, so call 1777 before a weekend trip.
Is any NADRA office open 24 hours?
NADRA lists its helpline as open 24/7, but its counters are not. Some Mega Centres in large cities run night shifts, for example 9:30pm to 2:30am during Ramadan 2026, which is why some guides call them 24-hour offices. Check the centre's current shift before going late at night.
Who can apply and what documents should you bring?
Any Pakistani citizen can apply at a NADRA centre. A first CNIC is issued at 18, and children are registered on a B-Form by a parent. Bring originals as well as copies, because a missing original usually means a second trip.
Arrive early in the day. Centres issue tokens in order of arrival, and the queue grows quickly after opening.
- First CNIC: your original B-Form, or your parents' CNICs, plus your family details.
- Renewal or modification: your current CNIC, plus proof of the change, for example a marriage certificate for a marital-status update.
- B-Form (CRC): both parents' CNICs and the child's details; NADRA may also ask for the birth certificate.
- Fee: carry the exact fee for your category in cash or the payment method the centre accepts.
NADRA fees for CNIC and B-Form in 2026
As of October 2026, a Smart NIC costs Rs 750, Rs 1,500 or Rs 2,500 for the normal, urgent or executive category, and a first CNIC is free in the normal category. The category you choose decides the waiting time more than the office you visit.
| Service | Normal | Urgent | Executive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart NIC: new, renewal, modification or duplicate | Rs 750 (about 31 days) | Rs 1,500 (about 23 days) | Rs 2,500 (about 9 days) |
| First CNIC | Free | Category fee applies | Category fee applies |
| B-Form (CRC) | Rs 50 (about 7 days) | Not offered | Rs 500 (about 1 day) |
Common problems at NADRA offices and how to avoid them
Most wasted trips come from a closed counter, a missing original or a very long queue. The table lists the usual problems and the fix for each.
| Problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Centre closed or on a different shift | Call 1777 or check NADRA's official timing notice before leaving home. |
| Long queue | Arrive early, or use a Mega Centre's evening shift if one is nearby. |
| Missing original document | Take originals and copies of every document for your service. |
| Fingerprints not captured | Ask the operator to try again or use other fingers. |
| Agent offering to speed up your card | Pay only the official fee at the counter; the urgent and executive categories are the only paid speed options. |
| Card not collected on time | Collect once tracking shows Ready for collection, because uncollected cards are destroyed three months after the final delivery date. |
NADRA helpline numbers and contacts
NADRA's official helpline is 1777 from mobiles, with +92 51 111 786 100 for landlines and callers abroad, and written complaints go to csd@nadra.gov.pk. NADRA's contact page lists these channels with 24/7 timings as of October 2026.
Some older guides still print 7000 as NADRA's number, so use 1777 instead. NADRA's contact page lists no WhatsApp number, so treat any WhatsApp account calling itself a NADRA helpline as unofficial.
- 1777: helpline from mobiles in Pakistan
- +92 51 111 786 100: landlines and callers abroad
- csd@nadra.gov.pk: written complaints
- Pak Identity quick chat: online queries
Can you skip the visit with Pak Identity?
Often, yes. NADRA's own 24 March 2026 timings notice reminded citizens that a CNIC can be renewed online through the Pak Identity app, and the same platform tracks applications and handles several modifications.
Visit a centre when the app cannot complete your case or asks you to appear in person. If your family receives BISP support, sort out any NADRA record problem first, because BISP's household survey relies on NADRA data.
- Usually online: CNIC renewal, application tracking and several modifications
- Usually a visit: cases the app cannot complete, or when NADRA asks you to appear in person
Frequently asked questions
What is the normal time for NADRA CNIC?
A normal-category Smart NIC took about 31 days in NADRA's April 2026 schedule reported by ARY News, against about 23 days for urgent and 9 days for executive. Other guides quote 15 days for normal, so follow your tracking status rather than a fixed date.
Can I renew my CNIC without visiting a NADRA office?
Yes, in most cases. NADRA promotes online CNIC renewal through the Pak Identity app, including in its March 2026 timings notice, and you need to visit a centre only if the app cannot complete your case.
Can I apply for a CNIC online in Pakistan?
Yes, NADRA's Pak Identity platform accepts online applications for several CNIC services and lets you track them. If your case cannot be completed online, visit a Registration Centre with your original documents.
Which NADRA office is open 24 hours?
No ordinary Registration Centre is open around the clock. Mega Centres in large cities run extended evening or night shifts, while NADRA's 1777 helpline is the service listed as 24/7.
Is NADRA open on public holidays?
Usually not. Around Eid in March 2026 even NADRA's 24/7 offices closed and reopened on 24 March at 8:00am, so check NADRA's official notice before any holiday visit.
Is there an official NADRA WhatsApp number?
NADRA's contact page does not list a WhatsApp number. Its official channels are 1777, +92 51 111 786 100, csd@nadra.gov.pk and the Pak Identity quick chat, so never share your CNIC or PIN with a WhatsApp account claiming to be NADRA.
What should I do if I lose my CNIC?
Apply for a duplicate CNIC at a NADRA centre or through Pak Identity. As of 2026, a duplicate Smart NIC costs the same as a new one, Rs 750 in the normal category.
Can I get an FRC from NADRA online?
Yes, the Family Registration Certificate (FRC) is among the documents you can apply for and track through Pak Identity. If you cannot complete it online, a Registration Centre can process it at the counter.
How do I check my application after visiting?
Use the tracking ID on your token slip. Send it by SMS to 8400, enter it with the slip's PIN in the Pak Identity app, or call 1777.
Is a NADRA e-Sahulat outlet the same as a NADRA office?
No. e-Sahulat outlets are franchise counters that offer selected NADRA-linked services and payments, while full CNIC and B-Form registration with biometrics happens at Registration Centres and Mega Centres. Confirm the service with the outlet or 1777 before travelling.
Sources and official links
Check the destination address before entering personal information.
Muhammad Salman specializes in Pakistani public sector financing, youth entrepreneurship schemes, and government subsidy programmes, cross-referencing all data against official SBP circulars and ministry directives.
Related guides
NADRA Tracking ID Check Online: CNIC, B-Form and SIM
To check a NADRA tracking ID online, log in to the Pak Identity (PakID) app, tap Tracking, and enter the tracking ID and PIN printed on your token slip. Applied online? Your application inbox on id.nadra.gov.pk shows the status. Without internet, SMS the tracking ID to 8400 or call 1777.
Read guide
CNIC Check Online: Verification Across Programmes
Choose the correct CNIC verification route for BISP, Kafaalat, Taleemi Wazaif, Ehsaas and provincial schemes.
Read guide
BISP Office Near Me: Find Your Nearest Tehsil Office
Your nearest BISP office is the tehsil office for your area; BISP runs 385 tehsil offices, 33 divisional offices and six regional offices. Find yours under Contact Us, Regional Offices Contacts on bisp.gov.pk, or call the free helpline 0800-26477 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Registration there is free.
Read guide
Documents for BISP, Taleemi Wazaif & Ehsaas Registration
Organize identity, household and school records for the official programme process that applies to your family.
Read guide