To track your NADRA ID card online in Pakistan, send your 10-digit Tracking ID via SMS to 8400, log in to the official Pak-ID mobile app, or visit the official NADRA web portal at id.nadra.gov.pk. Tracking is free, and updates are available 24/7.
Applying for a new Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC - شناختی کارڈ) or renewing an expired one is a vital process for every citizen in Pakistan. Once you submit your biometric details and documents at a NADRA Registration Center (NRC) or online, the next question is: When will my card be ready and delivered?
Fortunately, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) provides several convenient, free methods for tracking your card application. This guide will walk you through the three official methods: SMS, Mobile App, and Web Portal, and help you decode tracking status messages.
A NADRA Tracking ID is a unique 10-digit number generated by NADRA's automated registration system when you submit your application. It is printed clearly at the top right corner of the paper receipt (token) given to you by the register desk officer. Do not confuse it with your 13-digit CNIC number. The CNIC is your permanent identity number, whereas the Tracking ID is temporary and specific to your current application progress.
If you don't have internet access or want a quick update, the SMS method is the fastest option. You can check your application status from any mobile network in Pakistan (Jazz, Telenor, Zong, Ufone).
A standard SMS fee (usually PKR 2 to 3 + tax) is charged by your mobile network operator for sending a message to 8400.
For smartphone users, NADRA offers the official Pak-ID App (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store). This app lets you manage and track applications on the go.
If you submitted your application online via the NADRA website, you can easily track it on the same portal:
When you track your card, you will see specific status terms. Here is what they mean:
| Status Message | What It Means | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Under Verification | Your documents and biometrics are being checked against the national database. | None. Standard internal security process. |
| In Process | Verification is complete, and the card layout is being finalized. | None. Card is moving towards printing. |
| Printing | Your physical Smart Card is being printed at the central facility. | None. Usually takes 1-2 days. |
| Dispatched | The card has been printed and shipped to your chosen NRC or home address. | Wait for the delivery notification SMS. |
| Delivered / Ready for Collection | The card has reached the NRC. | Visit the center with your receipt and old CNIC to collect your new card. |
The time it takes to get your card depends on the category you paid for when applying:
| Application Category | Delivery Timeline | General Cost (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 21 - 30 Working Days | 750 PKR |
| Urgent | 7 - 10 Working Days | 1,500 PKR |
| Executive | 2 - 3 Working Days | 3,000 PKR |
If the system returns an error saying your Tracking ID is invalid or not found, double-check that you entered all 10 digits correctly. Also note that new tokens take 24 to 48 hours to appear in the electronic tracking database. If you just applied today, please wait two days before tracking.
If your application has been in the "Under Verification" status for more than 15 working days, there may be a clerical objection or a biometric mismatch (e.g., family link verification issue). You should visit your nearest NADRA center or contact the helpline to verify.
For security, the physical CNIC is only handed over to the applicant after a biometric verification (fingerprint match) at the counter. A relative or friend cannot collect it on your behalf unless they have a legally verified authority letter, but even then, biometric verification is preferred.