The United States embassy in Islamabad has brought forth great news for Pakistani citizens seeking visas to enter the US. The embassy has taken significant steps to reduce visa appointment wait times, addressing the soaring demand for US visas from Pakistan.
In an official announcement posted on their Twitter account, the US embassy stated, “Demand for U.S. 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.”
To achieve this, the US embassy has introduced three key measures to expedite the visa application process for Pakistani applicants:
1. Expedited Visa Appointments: The embassy has expedited thousands of non-immigrant visa appointments, rescheduling more than ten thousand Pakistani visa applicants originally scheduled for 2024 at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi to 2023, with some appointments as early as next week. Visa applicants with appointments in the coming months at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi are urged to check their email and log in to their accounts on the embassy’s website to confirm their expedited appointment times.
2. Flexible Appointment Locations: In a bid to offer greater flexibility to Pakistani travelers, visa applicants can now rebook appointments at either the Consulate General in Karachi or the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, depending on what suits them best. This change aims to provide applicants with more freedom to choose a convenient date, time, and location for their visa appointments.
3. Interview Waiver Applications: Starting September 25, the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi will start accepting new interview waiver applications from eligible applicants who have previously been issued U.S. visas. Applicants can determine their eligibility on ustraveldocs.com/pk, print a confirmation letter, and submit their application materials to a drop box without the need for a traditional appointment. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has already been accepting interview waiver applications for qualified applicants.
This development comes as a significant relief to Pakistani citizens aspiring to visit the United States. The United States Embassy in Pakistan had earlier introduced an optional visa delivery policy to further facilitate visa applicants in the country.
These measures demonstrate the US government’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties between the United States and Pakistan. The reduction in visa appointment wait times is expected to simplify the application process and encourage more Pakistanis to explore opportunities for travel, education, and business in the United States. Applicants are encouraged to stay updated through the embassy’s official channels for the latest information and instructions regarding visa applications.
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The United States remains a popular destination for Pakistanis, and these initiatives will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for visa applicants from Pakistan.
