Non-Immigrant Visas
How to Apply In Pakistan
In order to apply for a nonimmigrant visa, all applicants must complete the nonimmigrant visa application forms and pay the application fee. All applicants older than 14 years of age must 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 or Speedex 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 or Speedex branch where they submitted their application.
Applicants are required to submit the following items through an American Express/Speedex service provider:
- DS-156 Form
- DS-157 Form
- DS-158 Form
- Parental Information Form
- 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 will not be accepted.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry to the U.S.
- Visa application fee of US$131 or Pakistani Rupee equivalent
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
All 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. Please note that if the information in your passport is wrong, you should have it corrected prior to your visa 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 PDF 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 via American Express and on the State Department's web site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html or http://evisaforms.state.gov/
The application fee of $131 or the Pakistani rupee equivalent is non-refundable and must be paid at one of the participating American Express or Speedex offices. American Express charges an additional fee to process the application.
All applicants age 14 and older must appear in person for the interview. There will be no exceptions to this requirement. Applicants must arrive at the Diplomatic Shuttle Service, 3rd Avenue, near Quaid-e-Azam University Road, G-5, Islamabad to board the shuttle to the U.S. Embassy 30 minutes before their interview appointment. Applicants who arrive at the Diplomatic Shuttle Service more than 30 minutes before their interview may be asked to wait at the Diplomatic Shuttle Service.
Appointments
Appointment times for Business/Visitor Visas (B1/B2) vary, but are typically between one to four weeks from the date of application. 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, administrative processing requirements following the interview may increase the amount of time a successful applicant will wait before receiving their visa. Travelers should plan accordingly and are advised to apply at least three months prior to their intended date of travel.
The U.S. Embassy Consular Section accepts no responsibility if you make travel reservations before you have received your visa. We are not able to expedite visa processing, because you have fixed travel dates or have already purchased a ticket.
Please do not send or have sponsors send any documents directly to the Embassy before the appointment. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to match up faxed or mailed correspondence with applications.
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.
U.S. and Pakistani Holidays
The non-immigrant visa section will be closed on the last Friday of each month and on numerous Pakistani and US holidays. Non-immigrant visa applicants will not be interviewed on this day and applicants are requested to plan accordingly. Please see this holiday planner for details.
Applicants resident in Afghanistan
Afghan Applicants for Non-Immigrant visas may now apply at U.S. Embassy Kabul. Please see http://kabul.usembassy.gov/visas.html for further details.
Note: Afghans living in Pakistan are not exempt from the appointment requirement and must follow the procedure for all applicants resident in Pakistan.