The United States Embassy in Islamabad has announced an extension of visa appointment cancellations in Pakistan, affecting both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduled between March 9 and March 13. Officials confirmed that applicants who had appointments during this period will not be processed as originally planned. The embassy stated that the decision was taken due to operational circumstances requiring temporary adjustments in visa services. As a result, thousands of applicants waiting for interviews may face delays in their travel and immigration plans.
Despite the suspension of visa appointments, the US Embassy in Islamabad will continue providing routine and emergency services for American citizens residing or traveling in Pakistan. Embassy officials emphasized that assistance related to passports, emergency support, and other essential consular services will remain available. This step aims to ensure that US citizens continue receiving necessary support without interruption. Authorities reassured the public that the embassy remains fully operational for critical services during this period.
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Meanwhile, applicants affected by the cancellations will receive further guidance from the embassy through email regarding the process for rescheduling their visa appointments. Officials advised applicants to regularly check their registered email accounts for updates and follow the instructions provided carefully. The embassy also requested patience from applicants while scheduling adjustments are being arranged. Rescheduling procedures will allow applicants to secure new appointment dates once normal visa processing resumes.
At the same time, all consular services at the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore remain temporarily suspended, further affecting visa and documentation services across major cities. The temporary closure means applicants who usually process their cases in these consulates will also experience delays. Authorities did not immediately specify when full services at these locations would resume. However, officials indicated that the situation is being closely monitored to restore operations as soon as possible.
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The suspension of visa appointments and consular services has created uncertainty among students, business travelers and immigrants who rely on timely processing of their applications. Many applicants had planned travel or academic schedules linked with their visa interview dates. Consequently, the delays could affect education plans, professional commitments and immigration timelines. Applicants are therefore encouraged to remain updated through official communication channels for the latest information.
Officials stressed that the embassy remains committed to restoring regular visa processing as soon as operational conditions permit. In the meantime, authorities will continue coordinating internally to manage the backlog of appointments created during the suspension period. Once services resume, the embassy is expected to prioritize rescheduling affected applicants to reduce further delays. Until then, applicants are advised to remain patient and follow official updates regarding the visa appointment process.