Pakistan NICOP / CNIC Photo Requirements (Pak-ID Online)
Official rules: no fixed size, background: plain or white. Source: nadra.gov.pk, checked 28 Sep 2026.
Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo size at a glance
The Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo has no fixed size in the official rules; use a plain or white background.
| Printed size | No print size given |
|---|---|
| Pixels (official rule) | Not stated |
| File size | Not stated in the official rules |
| Background | Plain or white |
| Head size | 70% to 80% of the photo height, chin to top of head (the official rules give none, so this is the ICAO guideline) |
| Source | nadra.gov.pk |
| Checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
What the official pages say about the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo
The NICOP is NADRA's identity card for Pakistani citizens living abroad, dual nationals included, and it lets them enter Pakistan without a visa. NADRA's NICOP page of April 2026 says new Teslin cards are no longer issued; it offers the Smart NICOP and a version with a QR code. You apply in the PakID app: register, verify yourself by fingerprints or face, upload or capture a photo, add documents and fingerprints (a scanned form must be 600 dpi), and pay by Visa or Mastercard before submitting. A NADRA centre visit may still be needed for biometrics and the photograph.
NADRA's archived guidance asks for a colour photo under 6 months old, on a plain or white background, with good brightness and contrast and no shadows or hair over the eyes. Hats, glasses, artificial lenses, uniforms and clothes matching the background are out. Women may wear hijab or abaya if forehead and chin show; men may wear a cap or turban with the full face visible. Filters, layers and edits are not allowed. Children under 15 give no fingerprints or signature. NADRA's fee page (archived 16 October 2026) lists 31, 23 or 9 days by fee category.
Sources, checked 25 Oct 2026: NIC for Overseas Pakistanis (NADRA), read in the Internet Archive's copy of 8 Apr 2026, Pak Identity FAQs (NADRA), read in the Internet Archive's copy of 1 Apr 2025, Photo Uploading/Capturing Guidelines (NADRA), read in the Internet Archive's copy of 14 Aug 2024, National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) (Pak ID, NADRA), read in the Internet Archive's copy of 2 Jul 2025 and Fee Structure (NADRA), read in the Internet Archive's copy of 16 Oct 2026.
How to make your Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo
- Stand about an arm's length from the camera in front of a plain wall (plain or white). Face a window for soft, even light.
- Add the photo on this page. It stays on your device.
- Drag and zoom until your face fills the green oval: top of the head on the top line, chin on the bottom line.
- Download the photo. The pixels, file size and format are checked before you save it.
- Upload it to the official application.
Questions and answers
What size is the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo?
The official rules do not fix a pixel size. SafeResize makes a sharp 413 × 531 pixel file that fits every other rule.
What is the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo size in cm, inches or pixels?
The official rules give no size in cm or inches, and on pixels they say: not stated. SafeResize makes a 413 × 531 pixel photo in the 7:9 shape of a 35 × 45 mm passport photo, our own choice that fits the other rules.
What file size does the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo need to be?
The official rules do not state a file size. SafeResize shows the size of your file before you download it, so you can compare it with what the application screen asks for.
What background colour does the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo need?
Plain or white. Stand in front of a plain wall with no pattern, and face a window so there are no shadows behind you. The official rules do not allow edited photos, so SafeResize does not change the background for this document: a plain wall is the way.
How big should my head be in the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo?
From the chin to the top of the head, your head should fill 70% to 80% of the photo height. The official rules do not state this, so we use the international (ICAO) guideline. The face guide in the tool shows both lines.
Can I wear glasses in my Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo?
The official rules say: No hats, glasses or artificial lenses.
Can I take my NICOP photo with my phone?
Yes. The Pak ID FAQs, as archived in April 2025, say you can upload a photo of your choice from your mobile, or capture one in the app with the capture button, where it saves automatically. Either way it must be no older than 6 months.
Can I wear a hijab or cap in my NICOP photo?
Yes. Women may wear hijab or abaya if the forehead and the complete face, including the chin, are clearly visible, and men may wear a cap or turban if the complete face is visible. Hats and glasses are not allowed.
How long does a NICOP take to arrive?
NADRA's fee page, as archived on 16 October 2026, lists 31 days for Normal, 23 for Urgent and 9 for Executive. Its older Pak ID FAQs add that incomplete applications take longer, and that an overseas card comes by courier, or goes to the nearest Pakistan mission if you cannot be reached.
Does my child need fingerprints for a Smart NICOP?
No. The Pak ID FAQs say fingerprints and signatures are not needed for a child under 15 years of age.
What else do the Pakistan NICOP / CNIC photo rules say?
No more than 6 months old. Colour photo only. No hats, glasses or artificial lenses. No filters, layers or edits. Your clothes must not match the background colour. Hijab, abaya, cap or turban is allowed if your full face is visible.
Which file format should I use?
Not stated (JPG is safest). SafeResize saves a JPG (JPEG) file.
Can I take this photo at home?
Yes. A photo taken at home is fine if it follows the rules above. It is easier if someone else takes it for you.
Is my photo uploaded to SafeResize?
No. The photo is processed inside your browser and never leaves your phone or computer.
Source: nadra.gov.pk, checked 28 Sep 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
More tools for this photo
- Check my file test your file against these rules before you upload it
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- India Passport (applied in India) also in South Asia
- Nepal e-Passport also in South Asia
- Sri Lanka Passport also in South Asia
Related photo sizes
- India Passport (applied abroad) 35 × 45 mm
- Taiwan Visitor visa 35 × 45 mm
- Thailand e-Visa no fixed size
- UAE Visa size not stated exactly
- UK Visa at least 600 × 750 pixels
- Vietnam e-Visa 40 × 60 mm