Query for Pakistani Visa or NICOP

[hawkeyeblue]

Copied from a Friend:[FONT=&quot]NICOP Renewal/Modifications UPDATE - 17-Oct-2016;[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I have recently applied for the renewal of my NICOP and experienced few difficulties in meeting the requirements of NADRA-PAK-IDENTITY online application system. After going through the process, I have noticed that an average person with limited or no IT knowledge/Skills is simply unable to successfully complete the online application process. In addition, I have identified some very serious issues about the process that are explained below.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]In order to complete the process successfully, you must have some basic IT skills, like how to create an online account with NADRA; how to use printer; how to use a scanner and how to change its settings in order to meet NADRAs requirements; how to use a credit card online to pay the processing fee. Anyone lacking the above skills is basically unable to use the online system for NICOP renewal.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]In addition, there are some computer hardware and software requirements. You must have access to a computer, internet, a printer, a scanner. You must also have a software that can reduce the size of the scanned files without changing its DPI. Anyone with no access to these hardware and software or have access but unable to use it according to NADRAs requirements, will not be able to complete the application process successfully.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]The percentage of Pakistani Canadians with access to the above hardware and software and necessary IT skills to meet NADRAs requirements is very low. NADRA assumes that all overseas Pakistanis have the required IT skills and access to computer hardware and relevant software necessary to complete the online application process.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]A very small percentage of our community (Approximately under 10%) who is able to complete the process will be resorting to a third party software or apparently FREE online file compression services. There is nothing free in the free market economy, they basically take your information and use it know about you and then use it in the near future to generate Profits. In addition, it is highly risky to use an online app to work on your files containing your finger prints and other sensitive information about you and your family.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]The online application costs PAK-RUPEE 11,500, and when you use your credit card with the current conversion rate and bank fees, it costs around CAD 147 to 150. If you have to process say 2 to 6 applications for your family, for each member there will be a separate transaction. When you process one or two applications, your Canadian bank will block your credit card, as their AI (artificial intelligent systems) alerts them that something is abnormal with your account. Then you have to call your bank and stay on the line for 5 to 30 min; and request them to reactivate your credit card. In addition, for families on minimum wage or on limited income it may be a significant cost.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]LESSONS LEARNED AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:[/FONT][FONT=&quot]1. Request our local Vancouver Pakistani Consulate to start a limited service for processing NICOP applications. They may be able securely collect bio-metric data (finger prints), complete the necessary documentation and scanning; and securely transfer all data to NADRA for further processing.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]2. Request NADRA to provide very clear HARDWARE, SOFTWARE and IT SKILLS requirements on their website for the applicants. With the current technology, we will never be able to scan an A4 size documents with 600dpi under 5MB. Therefore either change the requirement of the scanned files size from less than 5MB to less than 8MB, or provide an embedded software on their website, so that their customers can safely compress the scanned files (without affecting files dpi), that will meet NADRAs requirements. In my view it may be economical and user friendly to simplify increase the scanned file size rather than providing additional software for file compression; and thus further complicating the application process.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I hope this information clarifies some issues around the current NICOP application process. I have forwarded this analysis to our Pakistani consulate in Vancouver, requesting them to take necessary steps to facilitate NICOP applicants.[/FONT]With kind regards********Please share you experience how did you submitted you application

 

[Captain Safdar]

Go for NICOP. It is valid for 10 years, You won't need visa to enter into Pakistan on NICOP.

Secondly You cannot directly apply for passport without NICOP.

If i were you i would apply for NICOP only.

I was about to type the same..... u r right. ta

 

[Xiggs]

Wa alaikum assalam!

I don't think you need pak passport to travel to Pakistan if you have either NICOP or POC. if you have neither, then you will have to get NICOP only if you had CNIC before. If you never had any Pak ID card, then go for POC and for that you will need CNIC/NICOP/POC of one of your parents/Grandparents.

Btw! NADRA wont issue a passport to you if you don't have any of Pak ID cards (CNIC/NICOP)

 

[Xiggs]

Copied from a Friend:

NICOP Renewal/Modifications UPDATE - 17-Oct-2016;
I have recently applied for the renewal of my NICOP and experienced few difficulties in meeting the requirements of NADRA-PAK-IDENTITY online application system. After going through the process, I have noticed that an average person with limited or no IT knowledge/Skills is simply unable to successfully complete the online application process. In addition, I have identified some very serious issues about the process that are explained below.

In order to complete the process successfully, you must have some basic IT skills, like how to create an online account with NADRA; how to use printer; how to use a scanner and how to change its settings in order to meet NADRAs requirements; how to use a credit card online to pay the processing fee. Anyone lacking the above skills is basically unable to use the online system for NICOP renewal.
In addition, there are some computer hardware and software requirements. You must have access to a computer, internet, a printer, a scanner. You must also have a software that can reduce the size of the scanned files without changing its DPI. Anyone with no access to these hardware and software or have access but unable to use it according to NADRAs requirements, will not be able to complete the application process successfully.
The percentage of Pakistani Canadians with access to the above hardware and software and necessary IT skills to meet NADRAs requirements is very low. NADRA assumes that all overseas Pakistanis have the required IT skills and access to computer hardware and relevant software necessary to complete the online application process.

A very small percentage of our community (Approximately under 10%) who is able to complete the process will be resorting to a third party software or apparently FREE online file compression services. There is nothing free in the free market economy, they basically take your information and use it know about you and then use it in the near future to generate Profits. In addition, it is highly risky to use an online app to work on your files containing your finger prints and other sensitive information about you and your family.

The online application costs PAK-RUPEE 11,500, and when you use your credit card with the current conversion rate and bank fees, it costs around CAD 147 to 150. If you have to process say 2 to 6 applications for your family, for each member there will be a separate transaction. When you process one or two applications, your Canadian bank will block your credit card, as their AI (artificial intelligent systems) alerts them that something is abnormal with your account. Then you have to call your bank and stay on the line for 5 to 30 min; and request them to reactivate your credit card. In addition, for families on minimum wage or on limited income it may be a significant cost.
LESSONS LEARNED AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
1. Request our local Vancouver Pakistani Consulate to start a limited service for processing NICOP applications. They may be able securely collect bio-metric data (finger prints), complete the necessary documentation and scanning; and securely transfer all data to NADRA for further processing.

2. Request NADRA to provide very clear HARDWARE, SOFTWARE and IT SKILLS requirements on their website for the applicants. With the current technology, we will never be able to scan an A4 size documents with 600dpi under 5MB. Therefore either change the requirement of the scanned files size from less than 5MB to less than 8MB, or provide an embedded software on their website, so that their customers can safely compress the scanned files (without affecting files dpi), that will meet NADRAs requirements. In my view it may be economical and user friendly to simplify increase the scanned file size rather than providing additional software for file compression; and thus further complicating the application process.

I hope this information clarifies some issues around the current NICOP application process. I have forwarded this analysis to our Pakistani consulate in Vancouver, requesting them to take necessary steps to facilitate NICOP applicants.
With kind regards
********

Yes, your friend is right. you need to be tech-savvy to be able to complete the online NADRA application. I recently got my NICOP through that process and it didn't take me more than an hour to complete the whole process. It was an awesome experience considering how we had to stand in the line for hours to have an ID doc issued before.

So yeah! its cool for some...but sucks for some

 

[Shoaib A Qureshi]

I really really appreciate your information. Thank you

 

[Aijazahmed]

Bhai online

nicop apply karoo u will get it done in 2 weeks. They will post u in usa

quite simple procedure

Not that simple. My wife has applied for a month now, they gave her tracking number, but when we try to track it on NADRA website, nothing pops up. No information at all so far.

 

[shoro]

I would just apply for Pakistani visa on US passport for two reasons:
a) It saves you all the hassles of gathering the information and apply. Though their online process is much better which cost you around 140$ and you get the NICOP in about a week's time as oppose to applying in person and getting frustrated by embassy. Eventually, it all depends on your comfort level.

b) It makes more sense to visit Pakistan as an American ( on American passport) - God forbid if things started going south, at least you will have someone to have your back - which is not even the last thing you can expect from Pakistani government.

 

[shoro]

Your friend's account sounds a bit exaggerated. It's not that overwhelming experience. The only thing that is required to apply for online NICOP is patience! That is because of detailed information and documentation ( which you can scan and attach). Creating an account to fill out the form is as simple as creating a gmail account - which even a 10 year old can do.

With regards to the photo - little bit of common sense can help. I took selfie with my iphone and resized it based on the required specifications and uploaded it without any objection. The application time may take you anywhere between 30-45 mins depending on if you have all required documents and information available. The only catch with this online process is that you can't initiate the application unless you pay the fees upfront with credit card. Only then it allows you to create your profile and let you save the information.

Like I mentioned it all depends on your level of comfort whether you want to go through this exercise.

Yes, your friend is right. you need to be tech-savvy to be able to complete the online NADRA application. I recently got my NICOP through that process and it didn't take me more than an hour to complete the whole process. It was an awesome experience considering how we had to stand in the line for hours to have an ID doc issued before.

So yeah! its cool for some...but sucks for some

 

[Wake Up Pakistan]

Not that simple. My wife has applied for a month now, they gave her tracking number, but when we try to track it on NADRA website, nothing pops up. No information at all so far.

how come my friend applied online. in 3 weeks he got his NICOP.

u should get it in 3-4 weeks.

 

[Xiggs]

Your friend's account sounds a bit exaggerated. It's not that overwhelming experience. The only thing that is required to apply for online NICOP is patience! That is because of detailed information and documentation ( which you can scan and attach). Creating an account to fill out the form is as simple as creating a gmail account - which even a 10 year old can do.

With regards to the photo - little bit of common sense can help. I took selfie with my iphone and resized it based on the required specifications and uploaded it without any objection. The application time may take you anywhere between 30-45 mins depending on if you have all required documents and information available. The only catch with this online process is that you can't initiate the application unless you pay the fees upfront with credit card. Only then it allows you to create your profile and let you save the information.

Like I mentioned it all depends on your level of comfort whether you want to go through this exercise.

For me the whole process was a pushover as i mentioned. Took me a little over an hour to complete it. But for people who are not tech-savvy like my father, who is in his 70s may not find it as easy as you or I would...but it's indeed a nice service to have, so good on NADRA for that.


btw! none of my friends ever used NADRA online service :)

 

[Xiggs]

Not that simple. My wife has applied for a month now, they gave her tracking number, but when we try to track it on NADRA website, nothing pops up. No information at all so far.

That's kinda strange !i applied for NICOP and received it in a month. You will have to give NADRA a call I guess.

 

[hawkeyeblue]

Friends how did you manage documents (page with finger prints) at scanned at 600 dpi, JPEG and in Grayscale and keep the file size 5MB.

 

[lynxukauq]

UK embassy/consulate people might be working. Not sure about Toronto consulate guys, I applied last year and got it this year after about 10 months.

It has nothing to do with UK or Toronto High Commission.

The application goes direct to Pakistan and is processed there.

 

[lynxukauq]

Friends how did you manage documents (page with finger prints) at scanned at 600 dpi, JPEG and in Grayscale and keep the file size 5MB.

You need to adjust the DPI settings in scanner depending on what type of scanner you are using.

I did from my work places and we use large MFP, so I adjusted the settings to 600 x 600 dpi and that worked for me.

Each Printer/Scanner will have different settings.