NADRA office timing depends on the type of centre you visit. Regular single-shift offices usually open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Double-shift centres offer an evening window until 10:00 PM. Mega Centres in big cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Timings change during Ramadan and after Eid holidays. This guide explains the current schedules, the differences between centre types, and what to check before you travel to a NADRA office in Punjab or anywhere in Pakistan.

Regular NADRA Office Timing (Non-Ramadan)

NADRA has different schedules for different types of registration centres. The table below shows the standard timings announced for 2026 after Eid holidays .

Important: Mega Centres have a Friday prayer break from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM . Plan your visit around this gap.

NADRA Office Timing During Ramadan

NADRA reduces its hours during Ramadan every year. The 2026 schedule was announced in February and applied from the start of the holy month .

Ramadan timings are temporary. They revert to the regular schedule after Eid .

Which Centre Type Is Near You?

Not every city has every type of NADRA office. Here is how to figure out what is available in your area.

Single-Shift Offices

These are the most common NADRA centres, especially in smaller cities and towns across Punjab. They open in the morning and close in the afternoon. If you visit after 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM, the office will be closed.

Double-Shift Offices

Larger districts and busy urban areas have double-shift centres. These are useful if you cannot take time off work in the morning. The evening shift runs until 10:00 PM on regular days .

Mega Centres

Mega Centres operate in major cities. They are the best option if you need urgent service at night or on a Sunday. A Mega Centre in Lahore or Rawalpindi can process your application at 2:00 AM if needed. However, not every district has one.

Practical tip: Before you leave home, search for your specific NADRA centre on a map app. Some listings show local timings that may differ from the general schedule. For example, a NADRA office in Sialkot was listed with 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM hours on a map service, which does not match the standard single-shift schedule . Map data can be outdated or wrong. Use the official NADRA website or call the helpline to confirm.

What to Bring (Document Checklist)

The timing is only half the battle. If your documents are incomplete, you will be turned away regardless of the schedule.

For CNIC (New or Renewal)

• Original B-Form (if applying for the first time)

• Old expired CNIC (for renewal)

• Proof of address (utility bill or rent agreement)

• Previous CNIC copy (if lost)

For B-Form (Child Registration)

• Parent’s original CNIC

• Child’s birth certificate or hospital discharge slip

• Immunization card (if available)

For Family Registration Certificate (FRC)

• Original CNICs of all family members

• Proof of relationship (B-Form for children)

Note: NADRA offices require biometric verification. You must appear in person. Do not send a relative with your documents unless you have checked whether an exemption applies.

How to Avoid Long Queues

NADRA offices are busy, especially in the morning. The first few hours after opening usually have the longest lines.

• Arrive early: If you go at 8:00 AM, expect a crowd. If you go at 2:00 PM on a single-shift day, the queue may be shorter but the office closes soon.

• Use the evening shift: Double-shift centres are less crowded between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

• Check the token system: Many centres issue tokens. Once the day’s tokens run out, you cannot be served even if the office is open.

• Avoid Mondays and the day after a holiday: These are the busiest days.

• Try a Mega Centre at night: If you live near one, the night shift has the shortest wait times.

Common Obstacles and What to Do

The Office Is Closed When You Arrive

This usually happens for three reasons:

• You went on a Friday during prayer time (Mega Centres close 1:00–2:00 PM).

• You went after 4:00 PM to a single-shift office.

• You went on a public holiday that was announced late.

Fix: Check the NADRA website or call the helpline before traveling. Do not rely on Google Maps alone.

The Token Queue Is Finished

Some centres run out of daily tokens by late morning. If you arrive at 11:00 AM and see a long line, ask a staff member if tokens are still available. If not, try a different centre or come back the next day.

Your Documents Are Rejected

The most common reasons for rejection are:

• Expired or missing B-Form

• Name mismatch between documents

• Missing proof of address

• Old CNIC not surrendered for renewal

Fix: Ask the counter staff exactly what is missing. Write it down. Bring the exact document on your next visit.

You Need Urgent Service

Standard processing takes time. If you need a CNIC urgently, ask about the Executive Centre or Urgent Service option. These cost more but reduce waiting time. Not every centre offers them. Mega Centres are more likely to have priority services.

Provincial Differences

NADRA is a federal body, so the general schedule applies across Pakistan. However, local factors affect your experience:

• Punjab: Lahore and Rawalpindi have Mega Centres and double-shift offices. Smaller districts like Bahawalpur or DG Khan may only have single-shift centres. Check before you travel from a village to a city.

• Sindh: Karachi has multiple Mega Centres. Interior Sindh has fewer options.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Peshawar has a Mega Centre. Other cities mostly have single-shift offices.

• Balochistan: Fewer double-shift options. Plan for morning visits only.

The Ramadan schedule is uniform nationwide. The post-Eid regular schedule is also uniform .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the normal NADRA office timings?

Normal timings for a single-shift NADRA office are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Offices open six days a week close at 3:00 PM on Monday–Thursday and Saturday, and at 12:30 PM on Friday. Double-shift centres have an evening window from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM .

Are NADRA offices open on Saturday?

Some are, some are not. Single-shift offices that operate five days a week are closed on Saturday. Offices that operate six days a week are open on Saturday, usually from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Mega Centres are open seven days a week .

Are NADRA offices open on Sunday?

Only Mega Centres are open on Sunday. Regular registration centres are closed. Mega Centres operate all three shifts on Sunday, including the night shift .

What is the NADRA timing during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, single-shift offices open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Monday–Thursday) and 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Friday). Mega Centre night shifts run from 9:30 PM to 2:30 AM. These timings revert after Eid .

Is there a lunch or prayer break at NADRA?

Mega Centres have a Friday prayer break from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Other centres may have short breaks, but there is no standard published lunch closure. Expect slower service around prayer times.

Can I go to any NADRA office for my CNIC?

You can go to any NADRA registration centre for most services. However, some services like FRC or urgent processing may only be available at specific centres. It is best to call ahead or check the NADRA website for your nearest centre’s services.