The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for business meetings and conferences (B-1) or tourism, visiting relatives and medical treatment (B-2). Pakistani applicants fill in the DS-160 online, pay the fee and book an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi through the official USTravelDocs Pakistan service. Pakistani nationals cannot use the Visa Waiver Program.
Processing timeDepends on interview appointment wait times. If administrative processing is needed, it is usually resolved within 60 days of the interview.
Official fees (approx.)PKR 51,204
Documents11 items
U.S. law presumes every visitor applicant intends to immigrate. You must overcome this by showing that your trip is temporary and for a limited period, that you have funds to cover it, and that you have a home and strong ties in Pakistan.
- Since 11 August 2025, nearly all applicants in Pakistan need an in-person interview. An interview waiver is possible only for B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of the old visa's expiry, where that visa was full validity and issued when you were 18 or over.
- Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
- Apply at least 6 months before travel, and do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is issued.
- Some cases need administrative processing after the interview.
How to apply:
- Complete the DS-160 form and keep the confirmation barcode.
- Pay the fee through USTravelDocs Pakistan (Bank Alfalah cash, bank transfer or card).
- Book your appointment with the same DS-160 barcode and attend the interview with your documents.
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This summary is for guidance. Requirements can change at short notice; always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Common refusal reasons & how to avoid them
Failure to overcome presumption of immigrant intent (214(b))
Under INA 214(b), every visitor or student applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant until they show otherwise. If you do not convince the officer, mainly through the interview, that your trip is temporary and your ties to Pakistan are strong, the visa is refused. It is not a permanent ban.
How to fix it: Reapply only after a significant change in your circumstances, such as a stable job, a clear rise in income, marriage, a business that has grown, or new international travel with timely returns. The State Department says reapplications without change are unlikely to succeed. Prepare short, honest answers about your purpose and reasons to return. Bring documents, but remember the interview carries most weight. A new application and fee are required.
Administrative processing or missing documents (221(g))
INA 221(g) means the application is incomplete or needs further administrative processing, such as extra security checks or documents the officer requested. It is technically a refusal, but not a final decision on eligibility. The case stays on hold until the requested documents or checks are completed.
How to fix it: Read the 221(g) slip carefully and send exactly what it asks for, by the method and address it gives, as soon as possible. Track your case status on the CEAC website using your case number. Do not file a new application while the case is pending unless the embassy tells you to. If you do not provide the documents within one year, you will need to apply again with a new fee.
Unclear purpose at interview
US consular officers usually decide during a short interview. Nervous, inconsistent or obviously memorised answers make the purpose of travel seem doubtful. Under 214(b), if the officer cannot understand why you are going and why you will come back, they are unlikely to be satisfied that your visit is temporary.
How to fix it: Prepare simple, honest answers to the core questions: who you are, what you do, why you are travelling, where you will stay, who is paying and when you will return. Make sure every answer matches your DS-160. Practise speaking naturally in English or ask for Urdu if needed. Keep key documents organised but show them only when asked. Short, direct answers work better than long speeches.
Inconsistent application information
The DS-160 is the officer's main record of your case. Wrong dates, employers, previous travel or refusal history, or answers that contradict what you say at interview, reduce your credibility. Officers may see this as carelessness or as an attempt to mislead, and either can lead to refusal under 214(b).
How to fix it: Before the interview, review the confirmed DS-160 line by line. If you find an error, complete a new DS-160 with correct information and update your appointment with the new confirmation number. Declare all previous refusals and travel, from any country. Make sure employment, education, family and address details match your documents exactly. Never let an agent fill it without checking every answer yourself.
Strong family ties in the US raise immigrant intent concerns
Having close relatives in the US is not a bar to a visa, but it can increase doubts under 214(b), especially if your parents, siblings or children are there and fewer family members remain in Pakistan. The officer must weigh which ties are stronger.
How to fix it: Show strong reasons to return: a stable job or business, spouse or children in Pakistan, property, and responsibilities such as caring for parents. Keep the visit short and linked to a specific occasion, such as a wedding or graduation, with evidence of the event. Be honest about your relatives' US status when asked. Previous visits where you returned on time help your credibility.
Insufficient financial evidence for study
F-1 applicants must show they can pay for tuition and living costs, at least for the first year, as stated on the I-20. If sponsors are unclear, funds do not match the I-20 amount, or the source of money cannot be explained, the officer may refuse under 214(b).
How to fix it: Show liquid funds matching or exceeding the I-20 first-year amount, with bank statements, sponsor affidavit and the sponsor's income proof such as tax returns and business records. Explain who your sponsor is and how they earn. Bring scholarship or assistantship letters if you have them. Be ready to explain your study plan and how the degree leads to a career in Pakistan after graduation.
Check your own risk
