US expands visa interview waiver eligibility for Pakistani citizens

ISLAMABAD: The United States Mission in Pakistan has expanded interview waiver eligibility for Pakistani citizens who are renewing B1/B2 tourist and business visas at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi.

“All Pakistani citizens, regardless of age, whose B1/B2 visas are valid or have expired within the last 48 months are eligible to participate,” the US embassy said in a statement.

Previously, only Pakistani citizens of ages 45 and older were eligible to participate.

Additionally, interview waiver eligibility for student and petition-based work visa applicants who have previously held a US visa is also extended through 2023.

Planning to renew your B1/B2 visa for the U.S.? Pakistani citizens of all ages whose B1/B2 visas are valid or have expired within the last 48 months are now eligible for interview waivers at @usembislamabad & @usconsulatekhi More here: https://t.co/Q15vYG4dNz

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) January 12, 2023

The expansion of interview waiver eligibility is a procedural change to provide better customer service and more efficiently process renewals of tourist and business visas for qualified and eligible Pakistani citizens.

As required by U.S. law, some eligible visa holders may be required to appear at the US embassy or US Consulate General for interviews after submission of their applications.