Visit Visa for USA from Pakistan: Processing Time & Complete Guide
How long does a US visit visa take from Pakistan? Current interview waits, fees, requirements, interview questions and the step-by-step process — all verified.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Karachi interview wait
Islamabad interview wait
visa fee (non-refundable)
typical visa validity
max stay per visit
online application form
Processing Time
How long does it take?
The wait is for the interview appointment — the decision itself is usually instant.
| Stage | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DS-160 + fee payment | Same day | Complete the form online, pay $185, book your slot |
| Interview wait — Karachi | ~30 days | Next available B1/B2 appointment (State Dept, Oct 2026) |
| Interview wait — Islamabad | ~5 months | Median wait; down sharply from ~7 months a year ago |
| Decision | At the interview | Most applicants are told approved/refused on the spot |
| Passport return | A few business days | Via courier after the visa foil is printed |
| Administrative processing | 30–180 days | Only if placed in 221(g) — extra security checks |
Waits change constantly — check the live figures at travel.state.gov’s global visa wait times page before planning. The US Embassy advises applying at least 6 months before intended travel. There is also a $750 premium expedite pilot (July–December 2026) offering B1/B2 interviews within 10 business days at participating posts.
Process
The 5 steps, in order
Complete DS-160
Fill the online nonimmigrant visa form at the Consular Electronic Application Center. Print the confirmation page with its barcode.
Pay $185
Pay the non-refundable MRV fee — by card online or bank deposit in Pakistan. Keep the receipt; you cannot book without it.
Book the interview
Schedule at usvisascheduling.com for Islamabad or Karachi. Since September 2025, apply in your country of nationality or residence.
Attend the interview
Bring your passport (6+ months validity), DS-160 confirmation, and evidence of ties to Pakistan. Ages 14–79 interview in person.
Collect your passport
If approved, the passport with the visa foil is returned by courier within days.
Embassy contacts
Islamabad: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5. Karachi: Plot 3–5, New TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road. Helpline: (+92)(21) 111-234-111.
Fee & Validity
Fee and visa validity
$185 — non-refundable
The B1/B2 application (MRV) fee is US $185, paid before booking. It is non-refundable even if refused. In rupees it moves with the exchange rate — roughly PKR 52,000–55,000 at recent rates. No issuance/reciprocity surcharge applies for Pakistani B1/B2 applicants.
Usually 5-year, multiple-entry
Pakistani citizens are typically issued multiple-entry B1/B2 visas valid for 5 years under the US reciprocity schedule. Each visit allows a stay of up to 6 months, decided by the CBP officer at the port of entry — the visa’s validity is not the length of stay.
Interview
The interview: what matters
Ties to Pakistan
The officer’s core question is whether you will return: job, business, property, family, tax records. Strong ties beat thick files.
Ability to pay
Bank statements (3–6 months), salary slips — proof you can fund the trip without working in the US.
Clear purpose
Tourism, family visit, business meetings, medical treatment — a specific, credible plan with dates.
No sponsor is required. An invitation letter from US relatives does not decide the case — the State Department says applicants qualify on their own ties. A 214(b) refusal is not a ban: you may reapply when circumstances change.
Delays
What can delay your visa
221(g) administrative processing
Pakistani applicants face higher-than-average rates of post-interview security clearance. It is not a refusal — but it can add 30–180 days (most resolve within 60). Track status at ceac.state.gov; wait 90 days before inquiring.
Common avoidable mistakes
DS-160 errors (it cannot be edited after submission), a passport with under 6 months’ validity, booking in the wrong country (not refunded), weak evidence of ties, and buying non-refundable tickets before the visa is issued.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How long does a US visit visa take from Pakistan?
What is the US visit visa fee for Pakistanis?
How long is a US visit visa valid for Pakistanis?
What documents are required?
Can I apply from Dubai for a faster appointment?
What if my visa is refused under 214(b)?
Explore Pakistan travel guides
Visas, destinations and travel tips — dive into our Pakistan tourism guides.
Wait times from the US State Department’s global visa wait times (October 2026); fees from travel.state.gov. Figures change — always confirm on official sites before applying.