Visas
Non-Immigrant Visas
How to Apply in Pakistan
In order to apply for a non-immigrant visa, all applicants must complete the nonimmigrant visa application forms, pay the application fee, and appear in person for the interview. The application forms are available through the menu links at the right. The DS-156 form must be completed on-line using the electronic visa application form (EVAF) and then printed. Handwritten DS-156 forms will not be accepted.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for a visa at least 60 days in advance of planned travel. Administrative processing in Washington may extend further the time required to process the visa application. Please plan accordingly.
The nonimmigrant visa application fee is $131 USD. The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid at one of the American Express/courier offices.
All applicants must appear in person for the interview regardless of age or reasons for application. There will be no exceptions to this requirement. Applicants should arrive before 11:00 AM on the day of their interview –- any applicants arriving after that time will not be admitted to the Embassy.
Applicants resident in Afghanistan must be interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. These applicants are not required to schedule an appointment, but, prior to appearing at the Embassy for an interview, must pay the $131 USD application fee and submit their application forms and passports at American Express before 10:00 AM, on any business day, Monday-Friday. American Express will keep the forms and passport for processing. Once this initial processing is complete (usually later the same day if the fee is paid by 10:00 AM), applicants may pick up their passports, forms, and fee receipt from American Express. The following day, applicants may proceed to the Embassy for an interview, arriving before 11:00 AM. NOTE: payment of the application fee after 10:00 AM or submission of incomplete application documents will lead to delays in appearing for an interview at the Embassy. The nonimmigrant visa section at U.S. Embassy Islamabad is closed the last Friday of each month to perform administrative duties.
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, refer to http://usembassy.state.gov/pakistan
/niv_how_to_apply_in_Pakistan.html.