US visa offices in Islamabad and Karachi process over 10,000 applications monthly, and appointment waiting times have nearly halved since last year.
A senior US embassy official announced that visa issuances from Islamabad and Karachi hit record levels in 2023 and are expected to increase further by the end of the US fiscal year in October 2024.
In September 2023, the waiting time for visa appointments reached a high of 440 days. However, thanks to several embassy initiatives, this has been reduced to 237 days.
The official explained that visas are typically issued within five days of an interview, provided the evaluating officer is satisfied.
According to the official, each visa application undergoes individual and independent evaluation, which was the main reason for delays.
Government data reveals that 107,183 non-immigration visas were issued from Pakistan in the fiscal year ending October 2023, up from 72,082 the previous year.
The official emphasized the US’s commitment to increasing visa allocations, noting a record number issued last year with expectations for more in 2024. Priority is given to student visa applicants.
However, the official did not disclose details on the visa application rejection rate or the total number of applications received, citing confidentiality.
Following unprecedented demand last September, the embassy has implemented several measures to enhance visa processing capabilities at both centres.
