Embassy of the United States

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant Visas in a Nutshell

• American citizens may visit the consular section on any working day (Monday– Friday) between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to inquire about the status of their relatives’ immigrant visa cases. Immigrant visa applicants may also visit the consular section on any working day between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm to inquire about the status of their visa applications. All American citizen petitioners and visa applicants are also welcome to contact the Embassy by phone, fax or e-mail using the contact information provided above.
  
• For filing DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident Status (SB1), applicants may visit the Consular section on any working day between 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The fee for filing the DS-117 is $400 or equivalent to Pakistani Rupees.
  

• American citizens who have been residing in the Pakistan for the last six months may file I-130 petitions for their spouse and children (under the age of 21). American citizens may visit the Consular section on any working day between 8:30 am to 12:00 noon to file an I-130 petition. The fee for filing an I-130 petition is $355 or equivalent to Pakistani Rupees. (Please note that American citizens wishing to file an I-130 petition must demonstrate at least six months of residency in Pakistan, not merely physical presence, in order to file.)

• The Immigrant visa petition, Form I-130, is filed by the "petitioner," usually an American citizen or legal permanent resident family member, of the person who wishes to immigrate. It is filed with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly INS) in the United States for the "beneficiary" who is the person who wishes to immigrate. If the DHS approves the petition, it is then sent to the National Visa Center (NVC).

Filing fee - US $355.00 (or Pakistani Rupee equivalent)

• After receipt of the approved petition, and when the filing date (priority date) of the petition is reached, NVC forwards a "Packet 3" to the beneficiary, specifying the documents needed and actions that must be taken by the beneficiary and the petitioner prior to issuance of a visa.
  
• After the required documents have been obtained, the beneficiary should sign the reverse side of the Packet-3 letter and send it, as well as Form OF230, to the Embassy’s Consular Section.
  
• The beneficiary, who then becomes the "Applicant," is sent a "Packet 3.5" which consists of information, forms, and requests for documents. When we receive the Packet back from the applicant (through American Express Travel Related Services – with prepaid return) with all the forms completed and all the required documents, we will schedule a visa interview within the next few working days.
  
• At the time of the interview the applicant pays an IV Processing fee prior to taking the oath and being interviewed.
  

  IV Processing Fee - US $400.00 or Pakistani Rupee equivalent ($355 application processing + $45 worldwide security surcharge)