Labelled as “Land of Opportunity” USA is home to many foreigners. However it isn’t easy to get a visa to USA especially from countries like Pakistan. Let’s check out what steps you need to follow to get to USA.
Procedure:
- First of all you need to know what kind of visa you need. It depends on your purpose of going, if you are going for a shorter period just to visit you need a visit visa. If you want to work in US temporarily you need a specific visa based on nature of work you want to do. Let’s have a look at the procedure.
- Know your visa type
- Fill the DS-160 form carefully, you cannot make any changes once the form is complete.
- Finally after completing first two steps you need to pay the visa fee
Requirements:
Once you have filled the form and paid the charges you need to log in at the website using the same login details that you used to pay fee and fill the form. There you have to enter following information to schedule your appointment:
- Passport number
- Receipt number from your visa fee receipt
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
Fee requirements:
Visa fees go as follow:
Tourist/business visa: $160
Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment: $190
Contact information:
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is responsible for providing visa services to anyone applying for a temporary or permanent visit to US. You can contact them here:
- Consular Section Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Consulate General of the United States of America Tel: (92 21) 3527-5000 3,4,5 New TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road Fax: (92 21) 3561-2413
Karachi, Pakistan.
There are a number of procedures and requirements that must be met to obtain a US visa from Pakistan. Just to give you a quick rundown of what happens:
1. Your intended use of your time in the United States will dictate the specific type of visa you’ll need. A few examples of popular visas are B-2 tourist, F-1 student, H-1B work, and immigrant (permanent residency) visas. To find out which visa category is right for your travel, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official website.
2. The first step is to apply for a nonimmigrant visa online using Form DS-160. If you want your visa application to be approved, you need to be as accurate and truthful as possible. To bring with you to your visa interview, be sure to keep the confirmation barcode you receive after filling out the form.
3. Machine Readable Visa (MRV) applicants, who are not seeking a visa to enter the country permanently, must pay a fee to apply for a visa. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the payment methods and amounts of fees can vary. Online or at certain bank offices, you can pay the cost.
4. After you’ve paid the visa application fee and completed the DS-160 form, the next step is to make an appointment to interview for your visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan.
5. Before your visa interview, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork. Your visa category will dictate the documents you are need to provide along with your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, receipt for the visa application fee, two recent passport-sized photos, evidence of sufficient cash to cover your stay in the USA, travel itinerary, and any other relevant documents.
6. Keep the scheduled appointment: Be prompt and bring a copy of all necessary documents to the embassy or consulate on the day of your visa interview. Asking questions about your past, vacation plans, and visa application is normal, so be ready to answer them. When you interview with the consular officer, they will determine whether you qualify for a visa.
7. Please be informed of the outcome of your visa application after your interview. You will be told if it has been approved, denied, or needs additional administrative processing. Be sure to apply at least a few days before your planned travel date, since processing delays can vary.
8. Retrieve your visa: If your application for a visa is accepted, you will be able to obtain your passport stamped with the visa either through courier or by personally picking it up at the consulate or embassy. You must verify the accuracy of your visa information before to your journey.
The specific steps required to apply for a visa could change in response to new immigration regulations or other personal circumstances. For the most current information and assistance with your visa application, it is recommended that you visit the official website of the U.S. Department of State or speak with a knowledgeable immigration counselor.
