More Information
Visas
Non-Immigrant Visas
How To Apply In Pakistan
In order to apply for a nonimmigrant visa, all applicants must complete the nonimmigrant visa application form, pay the application fee, and appear in person for interview. All applications for nonimmigrant visas must be submitted through American Express Bank Ltd Travel Related Services offices, a participating branch of American Express in Pakistan (see a list of all the offices). No applications will be accepted at the Embassy or by mail. American Express will collect the application fee, schedule the appointment, and successful applicants will be able to pick up their issued visa from the American Express branch where they submitted their application.
Applicants are required to submit the following items through an American Express/Speed Ex service provider:
- Completed DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (http://evisaforms.state.gov)
- Completed DS-157 Form (http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html)
- Current photo (within the last 6 months) measuring 2" x 2" with white background – please ensure your photo has not been retouched or altered, otherwise your photo may not be accepted into the system and you will be asked to bring a different un-retouched photo.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into the U.S.
- Visa application fee of US$131 or Pakistani Rupee equivalent
- All visa applicants are required to appear at the embassy for an interview
Some student and exchange visitor applicants will need to submit additional documents. Information about required student documentation can be found at http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/pakistan/niv_student_visas.html Information about required exchange visitor documentation can be found at http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/pakistan
/niv_exchange_visitor_visa.html
When completing Form DS-157, please keep in mind question Number 17. Please list all educational institutions that you have attended beginning with secondary school. Include any technical or vocational training. Write the name and address or city of the school, your course of study, and the starting and ending dates of study.
Visa applicants are required to use the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) application, available online at http://evisaforms.state.gov. Please use the following guidance in completing the EVAF:
- All answers must be typed in English using English characters.
- The information in the passport must match the information on the application.
- All questions must be answered -- if the question does not apply to you please enter "Not Applicable". Do not leave any fields blank.
- For additional family members use the "Generate Family Duplicate" function.
- Click "Continue" after completing the online DS-156 form -- it will be generated in Adobe Acrobat format and must be printed.
- You must submit all three pages of the DS-156 form for each applicant.
- Do not fold the application -- especially the bar-code third page.
The application form is available through American Express and on the State Department’s web site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html or http://evisaforms.state.gov
The nonimmigrant visa application fee is $131 or the equivalent amount in Pakistani rupees. The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid at one of the participating American Express offices. American Express charges an additional fee to process the application.
All applicants must appear in person for interview regardless of age. There will be no exceptions to this requirement. Applicants must arrive at the Islamabad Convention Center to board the shuttle to the U.S. Embassy 30 minutes before their interview appointment. Applicants who arrive at the Convention Center more than 30 minutes before their interview may be asked to wait at the Convention Center.
Appointments
Appointment times for Business/Visitor Visas (B1/B2) vary, but typically range between one to four weeks. In the summer when demand is greatest, the appointment wait time may increase significantly. Please click here to view the current wait time for an appointment. In addition, special administrative and security processing requirements following the interview may increase the amount of time a successful applicant will wait before receiving a visa. Travelers should plan accordingly and are advised to apply at least three months prior to their intended date of travel.
Applicants for Student (F or M), Exchange Visitor (J), or petition-based visas (E, H1-B, or L) and their derivatives are scheduled to interview at 1:30 PM Monday – Thursday.
Applicants for all petition-based categories (E, H, L, O, P) are now required to schedule an appointment. These applicants must submit their application and pay their application fee through American Express. After submitting their application and fee, applicants will be assigned an expedited appointment by American Express.
Please do not send any documents or have sponsors send any documents directly to us. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to match up faxed or mailed correspondence with applications. Further information on visa processing is available on the telephone 24 hours a day at 051-208-2700.
EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS
Applicants who need to travel to the United States urgently for emergency medical treatment, or the sudden illness or death of a family member are not required to schedule an appointment through American Express. However, applicants must pay the $131 application fee at American Express prior to their interview. 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.
Administrative Work-Day
The nonimmigrant visa section will be closed on the last Friday of each month to perform administrative duties. Nonimmigrant visa applicants will not be interviewed on this day and applicants are requested to plan accordingly.
Applicants resident in Afghanistan
Applicants resident in Afghanistan must be interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. These applicants are not required to schedule an appointment through American Express, but must pay the $131 application fee and submit their application forms and passports at American Express prior to appearing at the Embassy for an interview. American Express will keep the forms and passport for processing. Once the initial processing is completed, applicants may pick up their passports, forms, and original fee receipt from American Express and proceed to the Embassy.
Afghan applicants, when approved for the visa, will not receive the visa on the same day. They should return with their passports to Afghanistan. When processing of the application is complete, the Embassy in Kabul will notify the applicant, who may return to Islamabad with his/her passport to receive the visa. Applicants may also submit their passports to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to courier to Islamabad and back. The courier process can take a week, or longer.
Note: Afghans living in Pakistan are not exempt from the appointment requirement and must follow the procedure for all applicants resident in Pakistan.