Pakistan citizenship test: requirements and civics quiz
Pakistan has no published official citizenship test question list. This page explains what naturalisation requires, links to the official source, and offers a free 19-question general civics quiz for learning. The quiz is not an official exam.
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Is there an official Pakistan citizenship test? We have not found a published official question list. Naturalisation requirements are summarised below with a link to the official source. The quiz on this page is a general civics quiz for learning and is not linked to any official process.
Does Pakistan have a citizenship test? How naturalisation works
Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
Pakistan has no citizenship test. Naturalisation is governed by the Naturalization Act 1926 and the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, administered by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) for the Ministry of Interior. There is no civics exam; instead section 3 of the 1926 Act requires residence, good character, an intention to live in Pakistan and an adequate knowledge of a principal vernacular language.
Residence and routes
You must have lived in Pakistan for the 12 months immediately before applying and for at least four years in total during the seven years before that — about five years overall. Foreign wives of Pakistani citizens can register under section 10(2) after five years’ total stay, using Form F with a fee of Rs 200 by bank challan. The law still has no route for foreign husbands of Pakistani women; the Federal Shariat Court called this discriminatory in 2007, but no amendment has been confirmed. Minor children (section 11) and Commonwealth citizens who transfer Rs 5 million to the State Bank (section 20) have their own routes.
Oath, fees and registration
After the grant you take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution within 30 days (extensions are possible), and citizenship is then registered under section 9 of the 1951 Act on Form E. The Naturalization Rules 1961 set the certificate fee at Rs 1,500 (half on application, half at the oath); registration under section 9 costs Rs 400. These amounts may have been revised, so confirm them with DGI&P. Processing times are not published.
Dual nationality
Pakistan allows dual nationality with 22 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, the UK and the US. Dual nationals cannot become members of Parliament. Two bills were before the National Assembly in 2025–2026 — one to let former citizens regain citizenship and one confirming that citizenship passes through either parent — but neither had been confirmed as law by October 2026.
The quiz below is a general civics quiz about Pakistan’s Constitution, history and symbols for learning only. See also which countries have a citizenship test.
| Official citizenship test | No. Pakistan has no published citizenship knowledge test. Naturalisation requirements still apply; see below and the official source. |
|---|---|
| How naturalisation works | There is no citizenship test. Under the Naturalization Act 1926 (section 3) and the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, applicants must meet residence, good character, intention to live in Pakistan and adequate knowledge of a principal vernacular language, then take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution within 30 days of the grant. Applications are handled by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports for the Ministry of Interior. |
| Language requirement | Adequate knowledge of a principal vernacular language of Pakistan (such as Urdu); no formal language test is described. |
| Who it applies to | Foreign nationals who have lived in Pakistan for the 12 months before applying and for at least 4 years in total during the 7 years before that; foreign wives of Pakistani citizens after 5 years' total stay (Form F, section 10(2)); minor children; Commonwealth citizens under section 20. |
| Exemptions | No test exists. Pakistan allows dual nationality with 22 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland; dual nationals cannot sit in Parliament. Two 2025 bills (restoring citizenship; confirming transmission through either parent) were still pending in 2026. |
Topics in the general civics quiz
- Constitution and governmentHead of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.4 questions
- History and national symbolsIndependence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.7 questions
- Geography and societyCapital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.8 questions
- Naturalisation rulesWhat the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.0 questions
Sample questions
Answer: Islamabad. Islamabad replaced Karachi as the capital in the 1960s.
Answer: The President, the National Assembly and the Senate. Article 50 defines Parliament as the President and the two Houses.
Answer: The Senate. Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) has two houses: the Senate (upper) and the National Assembly (lower).
How to prepare
Document your residence carefully: 12 months immediately before applying plus 4 of the previous 7 years.
Be ready to show working knowledge of Urdu or another principal vernacular.
Check whether your current country is on Pakistan's list of 22 dual-nationality countries before you apply.
Pakistan citizenship FAQ
Is there a citizenship test in Pakistan?
No. Pakistan has no civics or knowledge test. Applicants must meet the Naturalization Act 1926 rules on residence, character, intention to live in Pakistan and knowledge of a vernacular language, then take an oath of allegiance.
How many years does it take to get Pakistani citizenship?
By naturalisation, 12 months of residence right before applying plus 4 years in total during the 7 years before that, so about 5 years. A foreign wife of a Pakistani citizen needs 5 years' total stay.
Can a foreign husband get Pakistani citizenship by marriage?
The law still provides only for foreign wives (section 10(2)). The Federal Shariat Court called this discriminatory in 2007, but no amendment has been confirmed.
Which countries does Pakistan allow dual nationality with?
22 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland. Dual nationals cannot become members of Parliament.
How much does Pakistani naturalisation cost?
The Naturalization Rules 1961 set Rs 1,500 for a naturalisation certificate, half on application and half at the oath; registration fees for other categories range from Rs 200 to Rs 800. Check current amounts with DGI&P.