Alien Registration Card – NADRA initiative to Register Foreigners in Pakistan

Sep 08, 2021 by Naukhez Arshad Qadir

Pakistan stands at No 3 as the world largest immigrant host country. Only from Afghanistan, Pakistan is hosting at least 1.8 million refugees. Along with NADRA officials, the Pakistan government has launched the ’Alien Registration Card’ – an effort to register foreigners and immigrants living in the country and take actions against illegal residents.

Registration of foreigners and immigrants is not something new; every country worldwide needs to possess few necessary documents to live and work legally in the country. Alien Registration Card is striving to make a better Pakistan for all; it will also help rectify the country’s illegal people. The cardholder will be eligible for many benefits along with living freely and legally in the country.

This article will try to answer queries of non-residents in the country and guide them on how to become legal residents of Pakistan. So let’s get started:

Overview of NARA:

NARA – the National Alien Registration Authority is actively registering non-residents of Pakistan. Pakistan Government launched the program under the supervision of NADRA, National Database and Narcotic Control. After the initial stages, the project was taken over by NADRA to register the foreigners by using a biometric system.

The biometric system rectified the issues non-residents and foreigners were facing during the registration process and also made the documentation easy and traceable. According to current statistics 150, 000 immigrants will be registered under the program.

The program is expected to facilitate in different phases, and the first phase will consist of the issuance of ID so the immigrants can apply for jobs, open bank account or register SIM card. Officials are striving to digitize Alien ID Cards for a better future.

Immigrant children who do not have birth certificates will be issues juvenile cards to get admission in high school to complete their enrollment. Before these efforts, immigrant children were not allowed admission from the 9th standard onwards.

Eligibility Criteria:

Every country has different laws for foreigners than for residents, so there are no troubles in future. Every government strictly set these guidelines and follows them, and the same happens in Pakistan.

Foreigners have to abide by some laws and a criterion for the eligibility for Alien Registration Card. It is highly important to meet those criteria to get registered. Here is the detail:

NARA card holds are obliged to register for the Alien registration card. The card will be issued based on their immigration date and biometric scans.
An alien registration card is mandatory for every foreigner who has been visiting Pakistan for more than 90 days.
Immigrants who have entered the country and living here for above five years are required to get registered.
People holding Pakistan Original Card (POC) and Afghan nationals are not required to register an alien card. NARA cards can be renewed at NADRA.

Alien Card documents requirement:

Non-residents do not need to submit a long list of documents, and here is what they all might need:

If they have a NARA card, then show the formerly issued card.
Any document is required which will prove that they are living in the country.
Passport, visa and any travel document which proves their arrival and stay in the country.

Perks of Alien Registration Cards:

There is a long list of benefits one can enjoy when they are holding NARA cards. Here are a few of them:

Permission to stay:

Non-natives intending to stay in Pakistan for 90 days or above, an alien card will act as permission to stay by the Pakistan Government. With an Alien card, they can stay for education, work and business.

Permission to work:

Immigrants can apply for private jobs after getting an Alien card. The card serves as a work permit to seek different jobs according to their skills. Non-natives can also start their business using an Alien registration card.

Open Bank account:

The registration card will allow opening an account in the local Pakistan Bank. It will help to handle bills and money transactions via bank online.

Travel permission:

Alien Registration Cardholders will be allowed to travel to different parts of the country freely. However, they will need permission to travel for few years and seek permission from authorities before relocating to other cities.

Education and utility connection:

Children will be allowed to get higher education, and the cardholder can conveniently get utility connections like electricity, gas, and SIM cards. Moreover, it will make it easy for them to get a driving license. Alien Card exempts non-residents from the foreigner Act 1946 (14-D).

Vaccination for COVID-19:

Every Pakistani is facilitated to get a free COVI 19 vaccine. Foreigners registered against Alien Registration Card are also entitled to get a free dose of the vaccine. You can get your certificates by applying online on nims.nadra.gov.pk and keep NADRA COVID 19 Vaccination certificate with you on a Phone app.

Still questions for Alien Registration Card?

Still, have any questions related to the NARA and ARCs? Worry not; foreigners can call on free helpline of NADRA for any queries or registration at 111-786-100.

NADRA has taken initiatives to digitize Pakistan for the no resident and resident of Pakistan. Now you can track your CNIC history and verify CNIC in convenient ways.

Alien Registration Card – Need of Hour:

The alien registration card is need-of-hour. Pakistan is hosting 1.8 million immigrants at the moment. With the current political situation of Afghanistan, it is expected to receive around seven hundred thousand people seeking a safe place to live in our country.

Without proper registration, the country can face potential threats of fake Ids. There was no proper legislation in the past, and terrorists have been using Green passports for their terrorist acts. Alien registration cards Pakistan and verification of CNIC digitally can be helpful to deal with these issues.

Keep in touch with Reall.pk blog to stay updated on NADRA latest initiatives for digital Pakistan. For queries or feedback, please email us at info@reall.pk.

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