What exactly has reopened?
In March 2026, the US suspended consular operations at its Lahore and Karachi consulates following security concerns. Scheduled interviews were cancelled, new applicants could not book, and for four months every non-immigrant visa applicant in Pakistan was stuck waiting.
The US Embassy has now announced that regular operations resume this month, with a clear division between the two consulates:
- Karachi: US Citizen Services plus non-immigrant visa processing — visitor (B1/B2), student (F-1) and business visas will be interviewed and processed here again.
- Lahore: reopens for US Citizen Services (passports and documentation for American citizens). Visa applicants from Punjab will use Karachi or Islamabad.
The embassy in Islamabad has continued operating throughout, so the reopening restores capacity rather than starting from zero — and for applicants in Sindh especially, it means no more mandatory trips to Islamabad.
Why this matters — and why you should act fast
Four months of suspension means four months of applicants waiting: people whose interviews were cancelled in March, plus everyone who wanted to apply since. When bookings open, all of them will compete for the same slots. Three groups should move immediately:
- Students: Fall 2026 semester starts in August–September. If you hold an I-20, this reopening is your last realistic window — prepare your DS-160 and SEVIS fee today so you can grab the first available interview.
- Cancelled-appointment applicants: Your case is likely still alive. Log in to your ustraveldocs account and check the embassy's emails — in most cases your fee receipt remains valid and you can simply reschedule.
- Families and business travellers: Weddings, graduations, meetings — everything postponed since March can finally be planned. But slot demand will be heaviest in the first weeks.
How to apply: step by step
- Complete the DS-160 formFill it online at ceac.state.gov — one per applicant, with a recent white-background photo. Answer everything truthfully; your interview answers must match this form. Print the confirmation page with the barcode.
- Pay the visa (MRV) feeThe B1/B2 fee is USD 185, paid through the designated bank channel listed on ustraveldocs. Keep the receipt — its number is required for booking. The fee is non-refundable.
- Create your profile and book at ustraveldocs.comThis is the only official appointment system for Pakistan. Enter your DS-160 and fee receipt numbers, then check available Karachi/Islamabad dates. Check daily — cancelled slots reappear without notice.
- Prepare your documentsValid passport (6+ months), DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, fee receipt, and evidence of your ties to Pakistan: job or business proof, bank statements, property documents, family details. Students add: I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, admission letter and sponsor financials.
- Attend the interviewArrive early, answer briefly and honestly, and be ready for the one question behind every question: "Will this person return to Pakistan?" Your ties are your answer.
Interview: the four rules that matter
- Consistency wins. What you wrote in the DS-160 is what you say at the window. A single contradiction hurts more than a weak profile.
- Prove your return, not your trip. The officer assumes you can afford the trip — what they test is whether your life (job, business, family, property) pulls you back to Pakistan.
- Short answers. Answer the question asked, nothing more. "Why are you travelling?" — "My brother's graduation in Houston, two weeks." Done.
- Never use fake documents. Verification is thorough, and fraud earns a lifetime ban. A weak but honest file can be refiled; a fraudulent one cannot.
Costs at a glance
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DS-160 form | Free | ceac.state.gov |
| B1/B2 visa (MRV) fee | USD 185 | Non-refundable, per applicant |
| Appointment booking | Free | ustraveldocs.com |
| SEVIS fee (students only) | USD 350 | F-1 applicants, paid separately |
| Agents / "guaranteed slots" | Rs. 0 | Don't pay anyone — see warning above |
Fees can change — always confirm the current amounts on the official ustraveldocs website before paying.
Watch the full video guide
Step-by-step Urdu walkthrough of the reopening, appointment booking and backlog strategy on our YouTube channel.
Watch on YouTube →Frequently Asked Questions
When does US visa processing resume in Pakistan?
From July 20, 2026. The Karachi consulate resumes non-immigrant visa processing (visitor, student, business) plus US Citizen Services; Lahore reopens for citizen services. Operations had been suspended since March 2026.
How do I book a US visa appointment from Pakistan?
Complete the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov, pay the MRV fee, then create a profile and book at ustraveldocs.com — the only official system. Check daily for newly released or cancelled slots.
My appointment was cancelled during the suspension — do I pay again?
Usually not. Your fee receipt normally stays valid; log in to your ustraveldocs account and reschedule. Check the embassy's emails to your registered address before paying anything new.
Which cities can I interview in?
Karachi (from July 20) and Islamabad. Lahore's reopening covers US Citizen Services only for now.
Can an agent get me a faster appointment or guaranteed visa?
No. There are no agent channels into the US system. Anyone promising guarantees is misleading you — every step can be done yourself, for free, at the official websites.