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US to reduce visa wait times for Pakistanis
Initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing ease of travel between Pakistan and US
In response to the overwhelming demand for US visas in Pakistan, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Karachi have announced a series of initiatives aimed at significantly reducing visa appointment wait times.
These measures, announced in a statement by the US Embassy on Tuesday, mark a significant step towards enhancing the ease of travel between Pakistan and the United States.
📢 🔔 Today, we’re announcing three steps to help bring down visa appointment wait times: tens of thousands of expedited appointments, flexible scheduling in either Islamabad or Karachi, and interview waiver applications for eligible applicants at the @usconsulatekhi . 🗓️ 🗽 pic.twitter.com/W4mIZY4BnF — U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) September 19, 2023
Expedited visa appointments for thousands
The most immediate relief for visa applicants is the expedited processing of appointments. More than 10,000 Pakistani visa applicants originally scheduled for 2024 at the US Consulate General in Karachi will receive notifications that their appointments have been rescheduled to 2023, with some appointments available as early as next week.
Read US embassy expands visa interview waiver eligibility
This rescheduling is aimed at reducing the backlog of visa appointments and expediting the visa application process for thousands of Pakistani citizens.
Applicants who currently have visa appointments scheduled for the upcoming months at the US Consulate General in Karachi are encouraged to check their email and log in to their accounts on the official website, ustraveldocs.com/pk , to confirm their newly expedited appointment times.
Enhanced flexibility with dual location scheduling
In a bid to provide more flexibility to Pakistani travelers, visa applicants will now have the option to reschedule their appointments at either the US Consulate General in Karachi or the US Embassy in Islamabad, depending on what suits their needs best. This dual location scheduling aims to empower applicants to find a convenient date, time, and location for their visa interviews.
This flexibility is anticipated to reduce the pressure on both facilities and make the visa application process more accessible to applicants from across Pakistan.
Interview waiver applications now accepted
Starting September 25, 2023, the US Consulate General in Karachi will begin accepting new interview waiver applications for eligible applicants who have previously been issued US visas.
Applicants can check their eligibility on ustraveldocs.com/pk , print out a confirmation letter, and submit their application materials to a designated drop box without the need for an in-person appointment. It's worth noting that the US Embassy in Islamabad is already accepting interview waiver applications for qualified candidates.
These initiatives collectively underscore the United States' commitment to fostering the strong relationship between the two countries. The primary goal of these measures is to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States as quickly and efficiently as possible, recognising the importance of maintaining connections with family, strengthening business ties, pursuing educational opportunities, and fostering cultural exchanges between Pakistan and the United States.
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US embassy expedites visa appointments for Pakistanis
ISLAMABAD - The United States embassy yesterday expedited visa appointments for Pakistanis amid protests by the applicants. The decision came as hundreds of applicants complained that they were not getting visa appointments for long. “Demand for US visas is the highest it has ever been. We are processing more visa applications than ever before and are working hard to bring down visa appointment wait times. Today, the US Mission to Pakistan is proud to announce three ways we are working to meet unprecedented demand,” said a US embassy announcement.
It added, “First, we have expedited thousands of non-immigrant visa appointments. More than ten thousand Pakistani visa applicants originally scheduled for 2024 at the US Consulate General in Karachi are receiving notice that their appointments have been rescheduled in 2023, some as early as next week. If you have a visa appointment in the next few months at the US Consulate General in Karachi, please check your e-mail and log in to your account at our website to confirm your expedited appointment time.” Second, it said, “To create added flexibility for Pakistani travelers, visa applicants can rebook appointments at either the Consulate General in Karachi or US Embassy in Islamabad — whichever works best for them. Our hope is that this will allow applicants more freedom and flexibility to find a convenient date, time, and location.”
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Finally, starting from September 25, US Consulate General Karachi will begin accepting new interview waiver applications for some applicants who have previously been issued US visas, the US embassy statement said. It said the applicants can check ‘ustraveldocs.com/pk’ to determine whether they are eligible, print out a confirmation letter, and submit their application materials to a drop box without the need for an appointment. The US Embassy in Islamabad is already accepting interview waiver applications for qualified applicants, it said.
The embassy said, “Taken together, these steps demonstrate how deeply the United States values the relationship between our two countries. Our goal is to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States as quickly and efficiently as possible – because we know how important it is to stay connected with family, to strengthen business ties, study, and make cultural connections with the United States.”
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For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. For all visa-related inquiries, please start with our ...
The U.S. Consulate General is located on Mai Kolachi road, Karachi. Applicants are advised to make an appointment for all routine services. The American Citizen Services at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi does not have walk-in services. For emergencies, you are required to call us at 92-21-35275000 before visiting the consulate.
The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi accepts applications for nonimmigrant visas to the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for people who are visiting the U.S. temporarily for tourism, business, education, medical treatment, or petition-based employment. The type of visa required depends on your purpose of travel. Please visit the State ...
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Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times. Select a U.S. embassy or consulate: Wait Times for embassy/consulate. Visa Wait Times. Nonimmigrant Visa Type. Appointment Wait Time. Interview Required Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) -- days.
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U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan Diplomatic Enclave Ramna 5. Take Shuttle from 3rd. Ave 1.DS-11 payment is by pay.gov only. See website for details. 2.DS-82 forms may only be submitted by courier. 3.For CRBA Appointments use ACS Navigator 4.Green card/visa questions, incomplete applications and late arrivals WILL NOT BE SERVED.
Please review the information below before scheduling or attending a visa-related appointment. ... For the latest information from the U.S. Department of State regarding visa issues and travel to the United States, please visit: https://travel ... visa information and appointment website for the U.S. Embassy in United States (Domestic Visa ...
Approved physicians in Pakistan. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the physicians below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. LAHORE. WILCARE. 4-M, Model Town Extension, Lahore 54700. Phone: 0304 111 0 945.
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Global Visa Wait Times. Last updated: 6-24-2024. The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly and is based on actual incoming workload and staffing. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment. Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate ...
Second, to create added flexibility for Pakistani travelers, visa applicants can rebook appointments at either the Consulate General in Karachi or U.S. Embassy in Islamabad — whichever works best for them. Our hope is that this will allow applicants more freedom and flexibility to find a convenient date, time, and location.
Visa Status Check. Welcome! On this website, you can check your U.S. visa application status. Visa Application Type. Please select a location and enter your Application ID or Case Number. Select a location. Application ID or Case Number. (e.g., AA0020AKAX or 2012118 345 0001) NOTE: For applicants who completed their forms prior to January 1 ...
Apply for a U.S. Visa. At this website, you can learn about obtaining a visa, as well as applying for your visa. How to apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States. What documents, photos and information you need to apply for your visa. How to access visa application forms and instructions.
Are you planning to apply for a US visa from Pakistan? The first step in the visa application process is to schedule an appointment with the US embassy. Howe...
The Embassy reserves the right to determine what constitutes an emergency. Any case that is determined not to be an emergency will be rescheduled for a later date according to the Embassy's nonimmigrant visa appointment schedule. Applicants resident in Afghanistan must be interviewed at the US Embassy in Islamabad. These applicants are not ...
SCREENGRAB. In response to the overwhelming demand for US visas in Pakistan, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Karachi have announced a series of initiatives aimed at ...
Overview. The mission of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad-and the Consulates in Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi-is to promote bilateral ties between the United States and Pakistan and to foster economic and commercial relations. Embassy activities focus on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting nonproliferation and regional stability ...
ISL - Islamabad 1-3-2023. U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. Step 1: Register Online and Select a Document Pick-up Location Only the principal applicant on the case MUST register online with the U.S. Embassy's passport return service ...
September 20, 2023. National, Regional, Islamabad, Newspaper. ISLAMABAD - The United States embassy yesterday expedited visa appointments for Pakistanis amid protests by the applicants. The decision came as hundreds of applicants complained that they were not getting visa appointments for long. "Demand for US visas is the highest it has ...
B1/B2 visa appointments US Embassy Islamabad . Ask Pakistan I may have underestimated the wait time to get to an interview. Currently, the ustraveldocs website says there are no appointments available. Are there certain times I should try the website during the day, for when free appointment slots will appear?
If the Priority Date matches or will soon match the most recent date allowed (the Cut-Off date), the NVC will request the immigrant visa application fee and all documents. NVC will hold your petition and all documentation until your immigrant visa interview can be scheduled at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Immigrant visas to the United States are processed for citizens and residents of Pakistan at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative (s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved ...
Payment Methods & Details. Fee Payment Extension: We understand that many nonimmigrant visa applicants paid a visa application fee (known as the MRV fee) and are still waiting to schedule a visa interview.The U.S. Mission will extend the validity of this MRV fee until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule an appointment as a result of the suspension of routine ...
The visa section of this website contains information on U.S. visas for foreign citizens seeking to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country ...