The United States Embassy in Islamabad has announced an extension of the suspension of visa appointment services in Pakistan, affecting all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled from March 9 through March 13. This development means that applicants who had planned to attend their visa interviews during this period will now face delays in their processing timelines.
Despite the cancellation of visa appointments, the embassy reassures that it continues to provide essential routine and emergency services to American citizens residing in or visiting Pakistan. This includes assistance with passport renewals, emergency travel documents, and urgent consular support, ensuring that US nationals have access to critical help when needed.
Those whose visa appointments have been canceled will receive detailed instructions via email on how to reschedule their interviews once services resume. This communication aims to guide applicants through the next steps, minimizing confusion and helping them navigate the rescheduling process smoothly. The embassy encourages all affected individuals to monitor their email closely for updates.
Meanwhile, the US Consulates General located in Karachi and Lahore continue to keep their consular operations on hold, with no services being offered at these locations for the time being. The suspension of services at these consulates adds to the challenges faced by visa applicants across Pakistan, as these offices typically handle a significant volume of visa and consular matters.
This extension of visa appointment cancellations comes amid ongoing operational adjustments by the US diplomatic mission in Pakistan, reflecting broader security and administrative considerations. The embassy has not specified a date for when normal visa services will fully resume, but it remains committed to restoring full functionality as soon as circumstances allow.
