Fake visa portal detected: NADRA alerts public to online scam

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has warned citizens about a fraudulent website pretending to be its official visa portal in an attempt to collect personal information and payments.

In a statement shared on X, the authority said it had identified a malicious website https[:]//www[.]visa[.]nadragov[.]online — that falsely claims to provide visa services on behalf of NADRA.

“This website has no affiliation with NADRA and may be used to fraudulently obtain personal information or payments,” the authority said, advising the public not to visit the site or submit any information through it.

NADRA clarified that its only official visa portal is https[:]//visa[.]nadra[.]gov[.]pk, stressing that all authentic NADRA services are hosted on domains ending with .gov.pk.

The authority urged users to remain cautious online, avoid suspicious websites, and confirm the authenticity of digital platforms before sharing any personal data.

According to NADRA, its Information Security Department is actively working to counter such threats. The department has identified and taken down nine impersonating domains that misused NADRA’s name over the past month.

Reiterating its warning, NADRA encouraged citizens to stay vigilant and use only its official portals to access services and information in order to avoid potential fraud.

Separately, NADRA recently clarified that digital identity documents issued through its PakID platform carry the same legal status as physical identity cards.

NADRA spokesperson Shahbaz Ali said some institutions had been asking citizens to provide physical copies or photocopies of their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) instead of accepting the digital version, a practice he noted contradicts existing legal and regulatory frameworks.

Under the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance 2000 and the Digital Identity Regulations 2025, digital identity credentials have the same legal validity, credibility, and evidentiary value as physical CNICs, NICOPs, or POCs.

Government departments, regulated institutions, and other organisations are therefore required to recognise NADRA-issued digital IDs as valid proof of identity.