Who can apply for POC?
Under the rules, following Pakistani Origin persons can apply for POC, namely:
Former Pakistani Citizens
Any person who does not currently hold Pakistani citizenship but has ever remained
a Pakistani citizen in his/her lifetime EXCEPT listed in NOT eligible for POC.
Spouses of Pakistani Citizens / POC holders
Spouses of Pakistani Nationals and POC holders (of Pakistan origin) meeting following criteria are eligible for POC
EXCEPT listed in NOT eligible for POC:
- Who’s Pakistni spouse holds CNIC / NICOP
- Who’ POC holder spouse is national of a country NOT having dual nationality agreement with Pakistan
Important:
An affidavit is also required from pakistani spouse / POC holder duly attested by High Commission for Pakistan, London
Foreigners with links to Pakistan
The following persons are eligible to apply for POC in this category, namely:
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A person who has never been a Pakistani citizen but any of whose parents or grandparents
is/was a citizen of Pakistan at any time during his/her lifetime, provided that:
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At least one of his/her living relatives is presently a Pakistani citizen
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He / She is not, and never was, a citizen or national of India or Israel; and
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none of his/her parents or grandparents has ever been a citizen or national of
India or Israel unless such parent after having acquired Pakistani citizenship never
acquired/re-acquired citizenship or nationality of India or Israel.
Person who has never been a Pakistani citizen
But who either himself/herself, or any of whose parents or grandparents:
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Were born in the territories included in the Indo-Pak sub-continent;
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Were domiciled in the territories now included in Pakistan; and
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Who acquired the citizenship or nationality of a foreign state or country before the
commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951) i.e. 13th April 1951.
Such person shall have to prove that at least one of his/her living relatives is presently
a Pakistani citizen.
This category however, excludes all persons who are, or have ever been, citizens or nationals of India or Israel.
Pakistani citizens stranded in Bangladesh, i.e. those who continue to be citizens of Pakistan pursuant to
the first proviso to subsection (1) of section 16-A of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951), may not apply for POC.
Following persons are NOT eligible for POC:
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Any person who was deprived of Pakistan citizenship by an order passed by the Federal
Government under subsection (2) or subsection (3) of section 16 of the Pakistan
Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951).
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A person who ceased to be a Pakistani citizen upon creation of Bangladesh pursuant to
subsection (1) of section 16-A of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951).
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A Pakistani citizen who was domiciled in the territories of the hitherto Province of
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) but who, before 16th December 1971, ceased to be a
Pakistani citizen and acquired the nationality or citizenship of a foreign country
(excluding India and Israel) unless he or she can prove at least one of his/her living
relatives to be presently a citizen of Pakistan.
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Any person currently holding citizenship or nationality of Israel or India.
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Spouses of Pakistani nationals meeting above criteria are also NOT eligible for POC.
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Spouses of Pakistani nationals who are national OR have origin from following
countries are also NOT eligible for POC / POC Renewal:
Bangladesh, India, Israel, Bhutan, Nigeria, Sudan, Serbia, Somalia, Uganda, PLO and Afghanistan.