Attention Pakistani expats in Saudi Arabia: NADRA has suspended its Madinah office operations ahead of the Hajj season starting April 12, 2026. Discover how to use the Pak-ID app, where to visit the expanded Jeddah center, and check the latest April 2026 NICOP and CNIC fee

MADINAH – If you are a Pakistani national living in Saudi Arabia and need to update your identity documents, you will need to adjust your plans immediately.

As the Kingdom gears up for the massive influx of pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced the temporary suspension of its operations at the Madinah office, effective from April 12, 2026. Services at this location will remain on hold until the Hajj season officially concludes.

Jeddah Steps Up to Handle the Rush

To ensure that Pakistani expats are not left without essential services, NADRA has rerouted its operations. The NADRA Registration Centre in Jeddah has significantly increased its staffing capacity to accommodate the expected surge in applicants from Madinah and surrounding areas.

Citizens residing in the Kingdom are advised to contact the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah for any urgent assistance or physical appointments.

Go Digital: The Pak-ID App Alternative

If traveling to Jeddah is not feasible, there is a highly convenient digital alternative. Authorities are strongly urging citizens to skip the physical queues and utilize the Pak-ID mobile application.

The app allows overseas Pakistanis to process their National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) renewals, modifications, and applications entirely online, preventing any major inconvenience during the peak Hajj rush.

NADRA Fees (April 2026)

Coinciding with this operational shift, NADRA has also released an updated fee structure for identity documents. For expats in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, knowing the "Zone B" fees is crucial.

NICOP Fees for Overseas Pakistanis

The Middle East falls under Zone B. If you are applying via the app or at the Jeddah consulate, the fees are as follows:

  • Normal: $20
  • Urgent: $30
  • Executive: $40

(Note: Zone A, which includes the USA and Europe, carries higher fees ranging from $39 to $75.)

Domestic CNIC and Family Document Fees

For families handling registrations back home in Pakistan, the domestic fees are:

  • First-ever CNIC: Free of charge.
  • New Smart Card / Renewal: Normal (Rs 750 / Rs 400), Urgent (Rs 1,500 / Rs 1,150), Executive (Rs 2,500 / Rs 2,150).
  • Family Registration Certificate (FRC): Rs 1,000 (Executive only, 24-hour processing).
  • Child Registration Certificate (B-Form): Normal Rs 50 (7 days), Executive Rs 500 (1 day).

More Than Just an ID

NADRA officials have also announced streamlined procedures for age modifications on NICOPs. They emphasized that maintaining a valid ID is more critical than ever. The card is no longer just proof of citizenship; it is now digitally integrated with national health and education systems. Tracking medical records and confirming school enrollments back in Pakistan are now directly dependent on having up-to-date NADRA documentation.

The Bottom Line: Plan ahead. If your NICOP is expiring soon, download the Pak-ID app today or schedule a visit to the Jeddah center to avoid the Hajj-season gridlock.