Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a citizen of Pakistan?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Pakistani passport and ID
Pakistani citizens can hold a Pakistani passport and an identity card.
An ordinary passport lasts five or ten years, but no more than five years for children under 15.
Citizens can renew it or get one from a Pakistani mission abroad, whatever their residence status there.
Live in Pakistan for life
Pakistani citizens can enter, live in and leave Pakistan without a Pakistani immigration visa.
Citizenship has no routine expiry or renewal date.
Citizens are equal before the law and can move, gather, form groups and use the courts, within legal limits.
Attend school for free
Children aged five to sixteen have a right to free education in Pakistan.
What is available and who can attend a particular school can depend on the province, age and school.
Work in Pakistan
Pakistani citizens can work and run a business in Pakistan.
Some jobs and professions have special requirements or restrictions.
Get help abroad
Pakistani citizens can seek help from Pakistani missions abroad, including emergency travel documents and help returning to Pakistan.
They can also seek help if detained or without money, legal aid and registration of a Pakistani child’s birth abroad.
Own property in Pakistan
Pakistani citizens have a right to property, with legal limits and special restrictions on some property.
Vote in elections
Pakistani citizens can register to vote from age 18 if they live, or are treated as living, in an electoral area.
A person declared by a court to be unable to make sound decisions cannot register, and only registered citizens can vote.
How to apply
Applying at a zonal officeApplying at a zonal office
Find your zonal office
Your parent or guardian can find a DGI&P zonal office to receive your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Pakistan DGI&P zonal office near your city accepts minor-child citizenship registration applications?”
Download the application form
Your parent or guardian should download Form M, the application for registration of a minor as a citizen of Pakistan.
Download the formFill in the form
Your parent or guardian should fill in and sign Form M for you. They should prepare four copies unless the receiving office tells them otherwise.
See how to complete itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a parent complete Pakistan minor-child citizenship registration Form M?”
Gather your documents
Your parent or guardian should prepare the documents required for the zonal office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Your parent or guardian should submit your completed form and documents to the zonal office. They should ask how it accepts applications and how to pay the fee, which is listed as Rs 200, and confirm the amount before paying.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for Pakistan minor-child citizenship registration at the DGI&P zonal office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Your parent or guardian should wait while the government considers your application and respond if the office asks for more information or documents.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Pakistan minor-child citizenship registration take at a DGI&P zonal office?”
Confirm your registration
If your application is approved, your parent or guardian can ask the office for confirmation of your registration. You become a Pakistani citizen on the registration date and can then apply for a Pakistani passport.
Find registration confirmationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get confirmation of Pakistan minor-child citizenship registration after approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parent's citizenship records
Provide documents showing that your Pakistani parent or guardian is a citizen of Pakistan. Include their Pakistani citizenship certificate if they have one.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Limits on public office
Having another citizenship can limit which public offices a Pakistani citizen can hold.
Citizenship can be lost
Pakistani citizenship can be given up or taken away in certain cases, including cases involving fraud or other actions that break the rules.
Getting another citizenship may affect Pakistani citizenship, depending on the other citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/pakistan
English Reddit group for people interested in Pakistani local life
Join on Redditr/PakistanAsks
English Reddit group for people interested in Pakistani local life
Join on Redditr/Bahawalpur
English Reddit group for people interested in Pakistani local life
Join on RedditConsultation
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