The National Database and Registration Authority has issued a public warning about a fraudulent website posing as its official visa portal in an attempt to steal personal data and collect illegal payments from unsuspecting users.
In a statement shared on X, NADRA revealed that a malicious website — visa.nadragov.online — had been detected impersonating the authority’s official online visa platform.
According to the authority, the fake website is not affiliated with NADRA and may be used by cybercriminals to collect sensitive personal information or financial details from users.
NADRA clarified that the only official visa portal is visa.nadra.gov.pk, urging citizens to ensure they access services only through legitimate government domains that end with .gov.pk.
The authority strongly advised the public to remain cautious while browsing online and to verify the authenticity of websites before sharing personal data or making payments.
NADRA further stated that its Information Security Department has been actively monitoring such cyber threats. Over the past month, officials identified and shut down nine fake domains that were misusing the organisation’s name to deceive the public.
The authority once again urged citizens to stay vigilant and rely only on official NADRA platforms to avoid falling victim to online scams.
Digital Identity Documents Legally Valid
Earlier, NADRA also clarified that digital identity documents issued through its PakID platform have the same legal validity as physical identity cards.
NADRA spokesperson Shahbaz Ali said some institutions were still asking citizens to provide physical copies of their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), instead of accepting digital versions.
He emphasised that such practices violate legal frameworks under the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance 2000 and the Digital Identity Regulations 2025.
Under these regulations, digital identity credentials carry the same legal validity, credibility, and evidentiary value as physical CNICs, NICOPs, or POCs.
Government departments, regulated institutions, and organisations are therefore required to accept NADRA-issued digital IDs as valid proof of identity.
