Pakistanis who wish to visit the United States for a short time will need a US B1 B2 visa Pakistan. This visa is a temporary travel document for the non immigrant that allows them to visit the US to engage in tourism or business activities. Deciding which one you will need depends on the purpose of your trip, as we explain below.
Different Between A B1 and B2 Visa
The B1 visa is strictly for business trips to the US. This is the visa to go for if you want to settle an estate, sign or negotiate a contract, pursue investments, open a business, buy supplies, or attend a meeting or conference.
The B2 visa, on the other hand, is for tourism and other leisure activities of a non-business nature. You can use it to visit family and friends, travel to different states in the US to enjoy the sights and sounds of the area, or you can use it to attend a sporting or social event in the US.
Pakistan citizens can enjoy the benefits of these visas because of their flexibility, but they must meet their requirements to get them.
B1 B2 Validity
These visas have a maximum validity of 10 years and are largely issued as multi entry visas.
However, the Embassy in Islamabad may choose to issue the visa with a shorter validity depending on several factors. Overall, the visa validity is assigned based on the visa officer’s discretion. The maximum amount of time visitors are allowed to visit Pakistan is 180 days per visit. This means that staying more than six months each time you visit will be treated as a violation and may affect your chances of getting another visa.
US B1 B2 Visa Pakistan Fee
The US government, through its embassies, charges a $160 application fee for these visas. This fee is solely for application and does not cover the amount for other services used, such as a courier service or the cost of acquiring your Pakistani passport, documents, etc. However, the Department of State intends to increase the visa application charge fees for non-immigrant visas from May 2023 by 15%. But until then, the cost of visa applications for B visas is $160. Also, there may be some hidden fees you may incur.
B1 B2 Visa Processing Time
Determining the processing time for a US visa is quite difficult because of the time it takes to book an interview date with the embassy. US embassy and consulates are quite crowded in Pakistan with so many people waiting to get interview dates which can take a long time interviews are mandatory for 14-79-year-olds unless you are applying for a renewal, and an interview will not be required.
So the wise thing to do is to submit your application and book an appointment to see a consular officer at least 2 -3 months in advance.
US B1 B2 Visa Pakistan Requirements
Here are the visa requirements for Pakistan citizens.
Application Form: A duly signed and filled out Ds-169 application form containing your details and passport information. Only forms that are correctly filled out will be accepted for processing.
Digital Photograph: A digital photograph was taken not later than six months prior. The photo must be on a white background, show your face clearly and meet all Department of State photo requirements.
Passport: A Pakistani passport will remain valid beyond your departure date for at least another six months. The passport must have two empty pages at a bare minimum.
Proof of funds: A bank statement to show proof of funds to cover your expenses.
Previous Trips: Documents like previous visas show your travel history to the US. If you have been to the US frequently, provide the dates of each trip.
Home Ties: The embassy will also want to know whether you have ties back to your home country, like a family, job, family, or property.
Application Process
The US embassy or consulate handles applications in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. The embassy will accept your application early, so you must book an appointment with them. A visa appointment can be booked online, and a confirmation will be sent to you with a date for the interview. Endeavor to print the confirmation page and bring it along with you to the embassy for the interview, as the security agents will request it. On the day of the interview, go to the embassy or designated consulate and answer all the questions asked. You should also bring original copies of your documents along, as the visa officer will request them.
Only those who meet the US B1 B2 visa Pakistan requirements will be issued the visa.
The requirements are the set of documents listed in this article. Don’t forget that only valid documents will be accepted by the embassy.