No Pakistani passport?
Naturalization Settlement permit are Settlement permit possible.
The embassy does not issue national passports if you have a blue or gray travel document. But there is a way to verify your identity anyway —and make Naturalization Settlement permit .
Does this apply to you?
Blue Travel Document
for refugeesThe Pakistani Embassy does not issue national passports.
See the solution ↓Gray Travel Document
for foreignersThe Pakistani Embassy does not issue national passports.
See the solution ↓Pakistani passport
valid national passportYou have a Pakistani passport. In that case, you don't need this solution. You can apply for Naturalization .
Try it for free →Why You Can't Get a Pakistani Passport
According to the Pakistani Embassy's website, if you have a blue or gray travel document, you cannot apply for a national passport (MRP).
“Please note that we do not accept passport applications from holders of blue/gray, refugee, or alien passports. These individuals must first obtain a letter from the German authorities clearly stating that their refugee or alien passport has been canceled and retained by the relevant authority.”— pakmissionfrankfurt.de
The embassy requires that you give up your protected status before it will issue a passport. That would mean: Risking your residency status —with no guarantee of a passport.
The law does not require this. In your case, obtaining a passport is subjectively unreasonable within the meaning of the tiered approach.
The embassy does not issue negative certificates. However, the information is publicly available on the embassy's website. Along with your visit to the embassy and your ID card, this is sufficient proof.
The national ID card verifies your identity
This applies especially when the embassy requires you Foreigners' office your gray or blue travel document to the Foreigners' office . In this case, obtaining a passport is not reasonable for you—and that is the key to the so-called tiered approach.
Visiting the Pakistani embassy to apply for an ID card does not constitute a voluntary decision to seek protection from your country of origin. The BAMF will not initiate revocation proceedings as a result—as long as you do not travel to Pakistan. You are not putting your protection status at risk.
What you need for the NICOP application
What you need to bring
-
✓
Pakistani Birth Certificate or Family Registration Certificate (Form B / FRC)
-
✓
Previous passport or parent's CNIC/NICOP for a paternity test
-
✓
Proof of Address in Germany — Certificate of Residence or Residence Document
-
✓
Biometric data collection at the Consulate in Frankfurt/Berlin or at a NADRA center in Pakistan
How the application process works
Available entirely online via id.nadra.gov.pk — Form, photo upload, document upload.
In person at the consulate in Frankfurt or Berlin: fingerprints, photo, signature.
The order will be printed in Islamabad and then shipped to your address in Germany.
If you do not have a travel document but do have a substitute travel document
, Germany
Substitute ID ≠ Travel Document
The ID substitute only satisfies the German ID requirement (Section 48(2) AufenthG)—it is not a travel document like the blue travel document (for refugees) or the gray travel document (for foreigners). It is issued if you have neither a recognized passport nor a passport substitute and cannot reasonably be expected to obtain either.
Three pitfalls you should be aware of
Source: Consulate General of Pakistan, Frankfurt — "Machine Readable Passports" and "NICOP/POC/FRC" sections.
ID card before the passport
The embassy will not process a national passport without a NICOP or CNIC. Without a Pakistani pre-passport, the application must be processed through the affidavit procedure: a sworn statement plus two Pakistani witnesses with valid identification.
Security check available
In cases involving asylum or protection, the consulate often requires a preliminary review by the Special Branch and the Intelligence Bureau in Pakistan. This may delay the processing—but does not jeopardize your protection status (Section 72 of the Asylum Act does not apply).
The ID card is the key
Once your NICOP or CNIC has been issued, your identity has been verified. This triggers the step-by-step process —and Naturalization Settlement permit possible.
The path isn't blocked—it's just longer. The key remains the same: Apply for a NICOP/CNICat the Pakistani consulate, then obtain the Clarification of identity the step-by-step process in Germany.
If obtaining a passport is not reasonable
For Naturalization , your identity Naturalization be verified. This is usually done using a national passport. If obtaining a passport is not reasonably expected of you —because the embassy requires you to give up your refugee status—a tiered procedure applies. Other documents may be used in place of a passport if you can prove that you have made every reasonable effort to obtain one.
→ Learn more about the step-by-step model for Clarification of identity
Your visit to the embassy is documented by:
1. The issuance of your ID card (proves that you were there)
2. Your application for a national passport (proves that you tried)
Together, these show that you did everything you could.
This process applies regardless of your protection status —whether you have asylum status (Section 25(1)), refugee status (Section 25(2), first alternative), subsidiary protection (Section 25(2), second alternative), or a ban on deportation (Section 25(3)). The key factor is that you have a blue or gray travel document, and the embassy therefore does not issue you a national passport.
From an ID card to a German passport or a Settlement permit
Blue or gray travel document – no national passport available
The embassy does not issue passports. Your identity has not been officially verified. This prevents you from obtaining Naturalization Settlement permit.
Apply for a passport and ID card at the embassy
You go to the embassy and apply for both. The passport application is denied. The ID card is issued. This establishes your identity.
Settlement permit a Naturalization Settlement permit using your ID card
Your ID card and your visit to the embassy serve as proof. You can use these to submit your application.
German passport – full protection
With a German passport, you are a citizen with equal rights. No one can take that status away from you.
We know the way—because we’ve been down it many times before
We know the problem
We have guided many Pakistani clients through this process. We know what works.
A Clear Plan
We'll tell you exactly what you need to apply for at the embassy —and what happens next.
Legally protected
We are attorneys. We represent you before the authorities—we don't just provide advice.
Explained simply
No legal jargon. We explain everything in a way you can really understand.
That's what many Pakistani clients ask themselves
Do I need a written denial from the embassy?
What is the difference between an ID card and a national passport?
Is the "blue passport" the same as the Pakistani national passport?
Do I have to turn in my blue or gray passport if the embassy asks me to?
Does this apply only to refugees, or also to those granted subsidiary protection or a ban on deportation?
Do I have to give up my protected status to get a passport?
Will I jeopardize my protected status if I go to the embassy?
Does this also apply to Settlement permit, not just Naturalization?
Find out what's possible for you.
Naturalization Settlement permit even without a national passport. Our Free test you in 2 minutes which requirements you already meet.
Test now free of charge🇵🇰 Do you know anyone from Pakistan who should know this?
Share via WhatsApp
