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.
The application form is available through American Express and on the State Department’s web site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html
The nonimmigrant visa application fee is now $100 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 before 11 AM on the day of their interview. Any applicants arriving after 11 AM, will not be admitted into the Embassy.
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) or Exchange Visitor (J) visas are not required to schedule an appointment. After submitting their application through American Express and paying the application fee, applicants for Student and Exchange Visitor visas may come to the Embassy on any working day prior to 11 AM.
Applicants for all petition-based categories (E, L, H1B, O, P) are not required to schedule an appointment. These applicants must submit their application and pay their application fee through American Express, but may come to the Embassy Wednesday through Friday prior to 11 AM.
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.
Applicants resident in Afghanistan
Currently applicants resident in Afghanistan must be interviewed at the US Embassy in Islamabad. These applicants are not required to schedule an appointment through American Express but must pay the $100 application fee at American Express prior to their interview. Applicants resident in Afghanistan must bring their application and fee receipt to the Embassy prior to 11 AM on any working day.
Note: Afghans living in Pakistan are not exempt from the appointment requirement and must follow the procedure for all applicants resident in Pakistan.