ISLAMABAD: Overseas Pakistanis rushing to catch flights home could now find themselves stranded at airports abroad, as Pakistan slams the door on travellers holding invalid or expired National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) in a sweeping crackdown that took effect immediately.
🚨 Important Travel Advisory for Overseas Pakistanis 🚨
The Government of Pakistan has directed that, with immediate effect, no passenger will be permitted to travel to Pakistan from any foreign country using an invalid, expired, or cancelled NICOP.
All Zonal Directors have… pic.twitter.com/AKBLnfFS9o
— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) July 15, 2026
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued firm directives to all airlines operating inbound flights to Pakistan, mandating strict verification of NICOP before boarding. Any passenger presenting an invalid, expired, or cancelled NICOP will be refused carriage, regardless of nationality or country of departure.
The move marks a decisive end to what officials described as a long-standing practice of leniency, where travellers were allowed to board despite expired documentation. “Airlines should be instructed to verify the validity of NICOPs before boarding and refuse carriage to any passenger presenting an invalid, expired, or cancelled NICOP,” an official confirmed.
Under the revised guidelines, dual nationals holding foreign passports, including those from the United Kingdom, United States, and other countries, must present either a valid Pakistani visa or a current NICOP to gain entry. Those unable to produce valid documentation will be denied landing permission and refused entry at the border.
Airlines instructed to bar passengers from boarding if they lack a Pakistani passport or valid visa or NICOP if they are traveling using foreign passporthttps://t.co/XrS6nl30bU
— The Standard (@PakStandard) July 16, 2026
Officials said the decision was not country-specific and would apply to travellers arriving from all nations. The FIA has been tasked with monitoring compliance at airports nationwide to ensure airlines implement the verification requirement strictly.
The crackdown aligns travel regulations with other state services where an expired CNIC or NICOP triggers suspension of banking facilities, SIM cards, and property rights. However, overseas Pakistanis have voiced concerns about the sudden enforcement, urging the government to expedite renewal services at diplomatic missions abroad to prevent genuine hardship.
Expatriate concerns
Millions of NICOPs have been issued to overseas Pakistanis, with thousands expiring each month. While the move for stricter enforcement has generally been welcomed as a measure to maintain document integrity, many overseas Pakistanis have expressed concerns about potential hardship and the need for faster renewal services at Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad.
“Many Pakistanis only realise their NICOP has expired when they’re at the airport,” said a Pakistani settled in Heidelberg, Germany. “The government should provide an emergency extension or expedited renewal to avoid genuine hardship,” he observed.
Implementation and compliance
Travellers must now carry a valid Pakistani passport, a valid NICOP, or a valid Pakistani visa to be allowed entry into Pakistan. The FIA has been tasked with monitoring compliance at airports to ensure airlines implement the verification requirement before boarding.
Passengers travelling on foreign passports with expired or invalid NICOPs will not be allowed to board flights to Pakistan unless they hold a valid Pakistani visa. The directive marks a significant tightening of immigration controls for Pakistan’s vast diaspora, which numbers over 10 million worldwide and contributes substantially to the national economy through remittances.
